Ecology

Question 1

Bioaccumalation

Answer 1

Increase in toxin concentration in an organisms tissue during its life.

Question 2

Eutrophication

Answer 2

Excessive richness of nutrients in a lake or body of water.

Question 3

Ecological Sucession

Answer 3

The process of change in the species structure of an ecological community over time.

Question 4

Primary Sucession

Answer 4

Succession which occurs on newly exposed or formed land where no soil exists.

Question 5

Secondary Succesion

Answer 5

Succession which occurs on land where soil is present. It occurs in an area which once supported life.

Question 6

Pioneer species

Answer 6

First species to colonize a barren enviornment in primary succession.

Question 7

Climax Community

Answer 7

A stable, self-pertuating ommunity that represents the final stage of ecological succession.

Question 8

Autotropic Succession

Answer 8

Succession dominated by plants

Question 9

Heterotropic Succession

Answer 9

Succession dominated by animals where energy comes from non-living organic material.

Question 10

Keystone species

Answer 10

A species that has a disporportinately large impact on its enviornment relative to its abundance.

Question 11

K-selected species

Answer 11

species with slow growth, parental care, few offspring and longer lifespans

Question 12

R-selected species

Answer 12

Species with rapid growth, no parental care, many offspring and shorter lifespans

Question 13

Overharvesting

Answer 13

Removing plants/animals from an ecosystem faster than they can reproduce

Question 14

Overexploitation

Answer 14

Overuse of a resource, like hunting, to the point of depletion

Question 15

Algal bloom

Answer 15

A rapid increase or accumulation in the population of algae

Question 16

In situ conservation

Answer 16

Protecting an endangered species in its habitat

Question 17

Ex situ conservation

Answer 17

Protecting an endangered species outside its natural habitat.

Question 18

Rewilding

Answer 18

Returning degraded ecosystems to a natural state through natural processes

Question 19

Germplasm

Answer 19

Living genetic resources such as seeds or tissues maintained for breeding.

Question 20

Clade

Answer 20

A group of organisms believed to have evolved from a common ancestor.

Question 21

Tipping point

Answer 21

An ecological threshold where a small change causes a large , irreversible shift.

Question 22

Mesocosm

Answer 22

A small, experimental area used to model ecosystems.

Question 23

Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD)

Answer 23

Amount of dissolved oxygen needed by organisms to decompose organic material.

Question 24

Biomagnification

Answer 24

Increase in toxin concentration at each higher tropic level in a food chain

Question 25

Greenhouse effect

Answer 25

Gasses trap heat in the atmosphere, warming the earth

Question 26

Stratification

Answer 26

The arrangement or classification of something into different grades or levels.

Question 27

Causes of anthropoegenic species extinction

Answer 27

overharvesting, habitat destruction, invasive species, pollution and global climate change

Question 28

Causes of ecosystem loss

Answer 28

Land use change, urbanization, overexploitation, mining, dams, water diversion, eutrophication and climate change.

Question 29

Evidence of Biodeversity loss

Answer 29

IPBES and diret monitoring of population size, range and ecosystem degradation.

Question 30

Albedo

Answer 30

The amount of solar radition reflected by a surface; high for light colors.

Question 31

Afforestation

Answer 31

Planting trees in an area where trees didn't priviously exist.

Question 32

Carbon Sequestering

Answer 32

Natural carbon capture/storage via photosynthesis, biomass storage, or aquatic organism uptake.

Question 33

El Nino

Answer 33

A climate event that decreases upwelling of nutrients in the ocean.

Question 34

Montane species

Answer 34

Reefers to species whose habitat is on a mountain

Question 35

Phenology

Answer 35

The study of the timing of seasonal activities in animals and plants.

Question 36

Benthic Feeder

Answer 36

An animal that feeds on the bottom of the ocean.

Question 37

Oligotrophic System

Answer 37

An ecosystem with very low nutrient concentrations

Question 38

Tillage

Answer 38

Preparing soil for crops by loosening it through plowing.

Question 39

3 Requirements for Sustainability in system

Answer 39

1. Nutrient Availability: Nutrients are recycled, so there should never be a lack of chemical elements. 2. Detrification of Waste products: waste products are used as a resource by other species. 3. Energy Availability: Energy can't be recycled so continued energy supply from sun.

Question 40

Five Mass extinctions have occured as a result of:

Answer 40

Volcanic Activity asteroid strikes transformation in the atmosphere and climate patterns

Question 41

Edge of Existence Project

Answer 41

Uses 2 criteria's to identify animal species that are most deserving of conservation. 1. Does the species have few or no close relatives? 2. Is the species in danger of extinction because all of its remaining populations are threatened? Then a list is prepared of such species that are both evolutionary distinct and globally endangered. Species on these lists can then be targeted for more intense conservation efforts. `

Question 42

In Situ Conservation Advantages

Answer 42

1. Species will be able to stay in their enviornment to which they are already well adapted to. 2. Species are allowed to interact with other wild species. 3. Costs can be lower

Question 43

In Situ Conservation Disadvantages

Answer 43

1. Nature reserves often require active management 2. Ecosystems may become so damaged that major interventeions could be needed 3. Supplementary feeding animals and control of access by humans 4. Prevention of poaching.

Question 44

Ex Situ Conservation Advantages

Answer 44

Access to medical care No predators Easier to monitor

Question 45

Ex Situ Conservation Disadvantages

Answer 45

Can be more expensive

Question 46

Requirements for Stability in Ecosystems

Answer 46

1. Nutrients need to cycle through the system without leaving 2. There must be a constant supply of energy 3. Individual species, especially keystone, must have a high genetic diversity so populations can survive selective pressures.

Question 47

Rewilding

Answer 47

Rewilding is a conservation method that involves: 1. Allowing habitats to return to their natural state 2. Reintroducing species that were previously driven out or became extinct in that area 3. Allowing ecosystems to self-regulate 4. Promoting natural processes such as predation, grazing, and habitat regeneration 5. Minimal human management