Intro to Ecosystems 1
Symbiosis
What is a close long term relationship between two species
The non living factors in an ecosystem.
What is abiotic factors?
All living things are made up of________
What are cells?
Matter is composed of ________
What are atoms?
Biomass backbone, most of dry mass in living things.
What is carbon?
When one species benefits and the other is neutral
What is commensalism?
The niche of an animal.
What is the specific and unique role of an animal in an ecosystem.
What is a charismatic species?
Powers the water cycle.
What is the sun?
Largest source of natural CH4.
What are wetlands?
A species that is indicative of ecosystem health.
What is an indicator species
Energy _________, matter _________
Energy Flows, Matter Recylces
Decomposers and their purpose.
Decomposers are things that chemically break down dead matter, they recycle matter giving producers the nutrients they need in soil.
Sink vs a source and examples of both
A sink has a long residence time (example ice cap) a source has a short residence time (example cloud)
Aerobic vs anaerobic decomposition.
Aerobic, is in the presence of air and produces CO2. Anaerobic is without air and produces CH4
A keystone species and an example of one.
Examples: Otters, wolves, plankton.
Interspecific competition. + an example
What is competition between two different species?
Lions and Hyenas competing for food.
10% rule and the law of thermodynamics that explains it.
The 10% rule states that only about 10% of energy flows to the next trophic level, the rest is lost via heat. This is explained by the 2nd law of thermodynamics.
The four spheres.
What are the biosphere, geo(litho)sphere, hydrosphere, and atmosphere
The two primary greenhouse gasses, their prevalence and potency. Names and formulas.
CO2 Carbon dioxide, prevalent less potent. CH4 Methane, less prevalent, more potent.
The predator prey relationship and what type of feedback loop is it.
Regulates the populations of each other, as prey goes up predators go up, prey goes down, predators go down etc. Negative feedback loop.
Fundamental niche vs Realized Niche.
Fundamental niche is the full range of a species potential niche/range, the realized niche is the true range as defined by competition with other species.
Protects against ecosystem collapse and why.
What is high biodiversity? This is because with many species the loss of just one has a less devastating impact as other species can fill that niche.
97% of life are made out of these cells (letters AND names)
CHONP
Carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen, phosphorus.
CO2 Diffusion in the ocean (both potential paths).
Path 1: Goes into photosynthesis, then either gets put into biomass or rereleased through cellular respiration. The carbon that stays in the animals then becomes fossil fuel through sedimentation.
Path 2: Reacts with the water to make carbonic acid. Dissociates (not required for the answer) and then reacts with/kills sea life.