Ecology and Ecosystems
What is the order of the levels of ecological organization from smallest to largest?
organism, population, community, ecosystem, biome, biosphere
Energy CANNOT be created nor destroyed, but can be converted into another form.
What is the Law of Conservation of Energy?
This process occurs when carbon dioxide from fossil fuels dissolves in seawater, lowering its pH.
What is ocean acidification?
This process occurs when carbon dioxide from fossil fuels dissolves in seawater, lowering its pH.
What is ocean acidification?
Primary succession/secondary succession, pioneer species, intermediate species, and climax community
What are the stages of succession?
What term is being described in each scenario? 1) SeaWorld San Diego is home to over 27,000 animals. 2) There are between 1.2 and 1.3 million white-tailed deer in Georgia. 3) Most of South America is covered in tropical rainforests.
1-community 2- population 3-Biome
10% of energy is transferred between each trophic level in the energy pyramid
What is the 10% Energy rule?
This major consequence of deforestation results in the disappearance of various plant and animal species.
What is loss of biodiversity?
This is one major environmental benefit of using solar panels.
What is reduced environmental impact?
On October 9, 2024, Hurricane Milton heavily impacted the lower 48. Hurricane Milton damaged buildings, structures, and power lines, as well as flooding, infrastructure, etc.
What is an example of secondary succession?
Give an example of an aquatic ecosystem.
Producers- phytoplankton/kelp Primary consumer- zooplankton/shrimp/zebra mussel secondary consumer- squid/stingrays Tertiary consumers- sharks/tuna
When trees are removed, they release phosphorus stored in their tissues resulting in more phosphorus in the soil and water. Which biogeochemical process is a result of what is being described?
What is the phosphorus cycle?
This sustainable forestry method involves cutting down only certain trees to minimize environmental damage.
What is selective logging?
This is a major environmental disadvantage of producing some biofuels.
What is deforestation?
In 1969, the Cuyahoga River fire occurred due to a combination of industrial pollution and accumulation of oil and debris that ignited from flames or sparks. As a result, the fire called for the regulation of water pollution, habitat loss, animal loss, and a decrease in biodiversity.
Hint: Guess the question
What were the changes in biodiversity?
What is the role of decomposers?
Decomposers are organisms that break down dead organic matter, like algae or bacteria, and return them back to its original form.
Lake trout are native to the Great Lakes, but are considered harmful in Yellowstone Lake in Wyoming because they compete with native cutthroat trout for habitat. What type of species is being described?
What are invasive species?
This effect of urbanization leads to the destruction of natural environments where animals and plants live.
What is habitat destruction?
This dangerous byproduct of nuclear energy can remain hazardous for thousands of years.
What is radioactive waste?
What type of activities are deforestation, agriculture, and mining considered?
human activities
These species are very beneficial to their environment and may cause their environment to collapse without them.
What is a keystone species?
List some examples of invasive species in an Arctic environment.
blue mussels, tuna, killer whales, mink, lupine plant, etc
The environmental impact of mining can make water unsafe for humans and wildlife.
What is water contamination?
This term describes how renewable energy sources can be used long-term without depleting resources.
What is sustainability?
Humans help this process by selecting specific plants or animals to breed in order to pass on desirable traits to offspring. What is this called?
selective breeding or artifical selection