Intro. to Ecology
List the characteristics an organism must possess in order to be considered living.
*made of cells
*contains DNA & RNA
*Grow
*Reproduce
*Adapt & evolve (as a population)
*Have a Metabolium
Why must matter cycle?
* Matter cannot be created or destroyed, it can only change forms.
*Each is a closed system, so in order for life to exist, the nutrients must cycle and not be wasted.
What is a graphic representation of mortality patterns, showing the # of individuals in a population that can be expected to survive to any specific age
Survivorship
Explain the influence humans have on the three biogeochemical cycles.
*Water Cycle- building, paving and deforestation increase runoff and decrease infiltration.
* Population
*Carbon cycle- burning fossil fuels
Nitrogen Cycle- Excessive use of fertilizers
What are the two types of succession?
*Primary
*Secondary
Differentiate between sexual & asexual?
Sexual_ 2 parents make genetically unique offspring together
Asexual-1 parent produces genetically identical offspring.
List the specific steps of the water cycle.
*Precipitation *runoff *infiltration *evaporation *transpiration *condensation
List the factors that contribute to a high population density vs. a low population density.
*Birth & Immigration contribute to a high population density.
*Death & emigration contribute to a high population density.
List examples of renewable and nonrenewable resources.
Renewable Nonrenewable
*wind *coal
*sunlight *oil
*water *naturel gas
Explain how humans could impact the process of ecological succession.
Humans mainly impact secondary succession by clearing land for farming or development
A tool used for identifying organisms based on their characteristics.
Dichotomous Key
What are the stages of the carbon cycle?
* Photosynthesis
*Cellular Respiration
*Consumption
*Fossilization
*Combustion
Explain the difference between logistic & exponential population growth.
Logistic Growth- a population that grows quickly at first but levels off at the carrying capacity due to limited resources.
Exponential Growth- a population that grows without limit.
Describe two key contributions to global warming.
* CFC's deplete the ozone layer
* Burning fossil fuels
Differentiate between the types of organisms that serve as pioneer species for primary vs. secondary succession.
*Primary-mosses & lichens (make soil)
*Secondary- grasses & Small plants (don't need to make soil)
List the levels of ecological organization, starting with broadest to the most specific.
* Biosphere
*Biome
*Ecosystem
*Community
*Population
*Organize
What are the stages of the nitrogen cycle?
*Nitrogen fixation
*Consumption
*Decomposition
*Ammonification
*Nitrification
*Denitrification
Sketch and label a picture of the 3 types of dispersion patterns.
*random
*uniform
*Clumped
List three ways humans threaten biodiversity.
*pollution
*Destroying habitats
*Introducing invasive species
A volcano erupts and covers an entire Island with lava. Once the lava hardens, primary succession begins to occur. List the correct order in which plant growth will occur.
*Volcano rock
*Lichen
*Mosses
*Grasses
*Coconut tree
List the levels of classification used by taxonomists to organize life.
*Domain *Kingdon
*Phylum *Class
*Order *Family
*Genus *Species
List an example for how living organisms (human & nonhuman) play a role in each geochemical cycle.
Water Cycle-(human) Paving and development cause increase in runoff, decrease infiltration. Non human-Plants return water to the atmosphere via transpiration.
Carbon Cycle-Human- Burning fossil fuels Non human- plants capture CO2 convert to sugars in photosynthesis
Nitrogen Cycle- Human- Fertilizers add excess N to the soil Non human- Bacteria play a key role in every step of cycle
Cite specific examples of each type of limiting factor.
Abiotic & Density Independent-- climate change and natural disasters
Biotic & Density Dependent-disease & competion
What are the three types of technology that influence sustainability?
* Alternative Energy Technology
*Agricultural Technology
*Industrial Technology
The process of ecological change in an ecosystem where one community gets replaced by another over time.
* Ecological succession*