Community and Ecosystems pt 1
What is the number one cause of the biodiversity crisis?
habitat fragmentation
What are keystone species? What effects do their removal have?
Species that other species are highly dependent on. Their removal disrupts an ecosystem (ex: increase low level species, increase mesopredators)
What is the ultimate source of energy in the ecosystem?
the sun
What is the endangered species act?
It protects and encourages population growth of threatened and endangered species whose population sizes are highly reduced and/or declining
What is sustainability?
Balancing human needs, with the health of the global ecosystem.
What is primary productivity?
The rate at which producers build the organic material (biomass) in the ecosystem. Rate of photosynthesis.
Define mutualism and competition and give an example of each.
Mutualism: both species benefit (ex: birds on rhino)
Competition: both species "harmed" (ex: two species of birds fighting for 1 tree)
Name the process that forms glucose
photosynthesis
Explain the expectation of world population size and growth rate.
population size: expected to increase
growth rate: expected to decrease
What are wildlife corridors and what do they do?
Wildlife overpasses and underpasses help connect fragmented pieces of land so animals can be more connected.
Explain a food web v. a food chain
Food web: reflects reality of complex feeding relationships found in community
Food chain: sequence of food transfer between trophic levels
What is the 10% rule?
Only 10% of energy is transferred from one trophic level to the next
Which trophic level makes energy in an ecosystem available to all?
autotrophs (plants)
What are the two growth models and explain the difference?
Exponential: population continues to grow, no limiting factors
Logistical: population grows, then plateaus
Explain what coexistence programs are and give an example.
Designed to allow humans and animals to live in the same areas. Ranches working to coexist with wolves.
Name two consequence of extinction.
Loss of human resources and disrupts energy pyramid in the ecosystem
What are some defense adaptations animals may develop?
What type of energy is lost to the ecosystem?
heat
What is carrying capacity? What is the growth rate at carrying capacity?
Carrying capacity is the maximum number of individuals in a population that an environment can maintain
Growth rate: 0
What is the greenhouse effect? Is it a good or bad thing?
Retains solar heat in the atmosphere, greenhouse gases act like the glass of a greenhouse trapping heat Good thing- allows human life to exist.
What is a benefit of vertical farming v. traditional farming?
Vertical farming allows for more food to be grown and faster harvest rates.
Explain the difference between energy flow and chemical cycling.
Energy flow: passage of energy through ecosystem
Chemical cycling: use and reuse of chemical elements within ecosystem
Productivity reflects light energy converted to _______________ energy.
chemical
Give an example of bottom-up, top-down, density dependent and density-independent factors that influence population.
Bottom-up: food, water, space
Top-down: disease, predation
Density-dependent: disease
Density-independent: natural disasters
What are 3 causes and 3 effects of climate change?
Causes: car emissions, volcanic eruptions, methane emissions, burning fossil fuels, deforestation, solar output variations, CO2 in oceans and glaciers
Effects: glaciers melting, changing weather patterns, seasonal effects, freshwater availability, extinction of species, human health and disease