Intro to Ecology Notes
How many Levels of Organization are there? Answer in the correct order.
5 (Organism, Population, Biological Community, Ecosystem, Biosphere)
Define Population Size
# of individuals in the population
How many cards could bears collect at a time?
1
one
juan
uno
Define Niche
Role an organism plays in the environment
Define Biodiversity
Variety of life
What is the difference between biotic and abiotic factors?
Biotic - Living organism
Abiotic - Non-living environment
What is Density Independent Factor?
affects a population, no matter the population size
What kind of limiting factor was used in the bear simulation?
- Disabilities
- Mobility
Define habitat
Type of environment an organism normally lives
Define the 1st Law of Thermodynamics
Energy cannot be created or destroyed
What is the first step of a food chain?
Autotrophs (Producers)
What are the 3 types of Population Dispersion?
Random
Clumped
Uniform / Even
What are 3 things organisms have to compete for in an ecosystem?
- Food
- Water
- Shelter
- Mating
What are the 2 things that result when niche competition is present?
Separation AND Extinction
Define the 2nd Law of Thermodynamics
When energy is converted from one form to another, some of it is degraded to heat
How do heterotrophs (consumers) get their energy?
Get energy from consuming producers
What are some factors to take into account that could affect population size?
Birth rate
Death rate
Life expectancy
Why is it a good strategy for mother bears to consume their younger cubs when there is not enough food?
- Mother bear can reproduce in the future; needs to be able to maintain herself first
Define Resource Partitioning
Splitting up resources
Where does most of the Earth's energy come from? How much?
THE SUN - 99%
Pilot fish will feed on the leftovers in the water after the shark makes a kill, while the shark remains unaffected by this behavior.
What type of symbiosis does this example represent?
Commensalism (Positive to Neutral relationship)
What type of growth is it when the population increases suddenly at a rapid rate?
Exponential Growth
What human activities could be limiting factors in this simulation?
- Deforestation
- Trash in the ecosystem
Define Competitive Exclusion
When species divides a niche to avoid competition for resources
How energy flows through an ecosystem