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Chapter 52+55 Terms
Ecology & The Biosphere + Ecosystems & Restoration Ecology
| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| Ecology | The scientific study of interactions between organisms and their environment. |
| Organismal Ecology | Focuses on individual organisms and their adaptations. |
| Population Ecology | Studies groups of individuals of the same species and factors affecting population size. |
| Community Ecology | Examines interactions between different species in a shared area. |
| Ecosystem Ecology | Analyzes communities and their physical environment, emphasizing energy flow and nutrient cycling. |
| Landscape Ecology | Investigates patterns and exchanges across multiple ecosystems. |
| Global Ecology | Studies the biosphere as a whole, looking at regional energy and material exchanges. |
| Climate... | Significantly impacts where terrestrial organisms live, influenced by sunlight, temperature, precipitation, and wind. |
| Latitudinal Variation | Earth's curvature causes differences in sunlight intensity, leading to diverse climates and ecosystems. |
| Global Air Circulation | Warm air rises in the tropics, creating patterns of precipitation and arid climates at certain latitudes. |
| Ocean Currents & Large Bodies Of Water... | Moderate nearby land climates |
| Mountains... | Affect air flow, leading to phenomena like rain shadows. |
| Microclimates | Localized climate variations influenced by environmental features, impacting temperature and moisture levels. |
| Biomes | Defined by climatic features and dominant vegetation types. Major terrestrial biomes include tropical forests, deserts, and others. |
| Climograph | A graphical representation of annual temperature and precipitation for a region. |
| Disturbances | Shape biomes, making them dynamic rather than stable. |
| Human Activities... | Influence ecosystems, particularly in tropical rainforests and deserts, often altering natural habitats and species distributions. |
| Savanna Distribution, Precipitation, Temperature, Plants | Equatorial and subequatorial regions, Seasonal rainfall averages 30-50 cm/year, Warm year-round (24-29°C) with more seasonal variation than tropical forests, Scattered trees at varying densities |
| Savanna Animals, Human Impact | Large herbivores (e.g., wildebeests, zebras) and predators (e.g., lions, hyenas), Early human habitation |
| Chaparral Distribution, Precipitation, Temperature, Plants | Midlatitude coastal regions, Highly seasonal with rainy winters and dry summers, Highly seasonal with rainy winters and dry summers, Dominated by shrubs, small trees, grasses, and herbs |
| Chaparral Animals, Human Impact | Browsing mammals (e.g. deer, goats), Heavily settled and converted to agriculture/urbanization |
| Temperate Grasslands Distribution, Precipitation, Temperature, Plants | Includes veldts (South Africa), pampas (Argentina), steppes (Russia), and prairies (North America), Highly seasonal, with dry winters and wet summers, Highly seasonal, with dry winters and wet summers, Winters cold (avg. < -10°C), grasses/forbs |
| Temperate Grasslands Animals, Human Impact | Large grazers (e.g., bison, wild horses), Fertile soils ideal for agriculture. |
| Northern Coniferous Distribution, Precipitation, Temperature, Plants | Broadband across North America and Eurasia, Annual average 30-70 cm; periodic droughts, Cold winters; summer temperatures vary widely, Dominated by coniferous trees (e.g., pine, spruce). |
| Northern Coniferous Animals, Human Impact | Migratory birds and year-round residents, Logging concerns |
| Temperate Broadleaf Forests Distribution, Precipitation, Temperature, Plants | Mainly at midlatitudes in the Northern Hemisphere, 70-200 cm annually, Winters around 0°C; summers up to 35°C, Distinct vertical layers, including canopy and understory. |
| Temperate Broadleaf Forests Animals, Human Impact | Hibernating mammals and migratory birds, Heavily settled and altered |
| Tundra Distribution, Precipitation, Temperature, Plants | Covers 20% of Earth’s land surface in the Arctic, 20-60 cm annually (arctic); >100 cm (alpine), Cold winters (avg. < -30°C); cool summers (<10°C), Herbaceous vegetation, including mosses, grasses, and dwarf shrubs. |
| Tundra Animals, Human Impact | Grazers (e.g., musk oxen) and predators (e.g., bears, wolves), Focus of mineral and oil extraction |
| Aquatic Biomes Characteristics | Defined by physical and chemical environments. |
| Marine Biome | Oceans cover ~75% of Earth’s surface. |
| Freshwater Biomes | Linked to surrounding terrestrial biomes. |
| Stratification | The arrangement of something into different groups. |
| Photic Zone | Sufficient light for photosynthesis. |
| Aphotic Zone | Little light penetration. |
| Benthic Zone | Bottom sediment area, home to benthos communities. |
| Thermocline | Layer of abrupt temperature change in water. |
| Turnover | Seasonal mixing in lakes, redistributing oxygen and nutrients. |
| Distribution Factors | Species distribution influenced by depth, light, distance from shore, and habitat type. |
| Lakes Physical Environment, chemical environment | Vary in size from ponds to large lakes, The salinity, oxygen concentration, and nutrient content differ greatly among lakes and can vary within seasons. |
| Types of Lakes | Oligotrophic, Eutrophic |
| Oligotrophic Lakes | Nutrient-poor, oxygen rich |
| Eutrophic Lakes | Nutrient-rich, oxygen poor |
| Geologic features of oligotrophic and eutrophic lakes | Oligotrophic lakes have a greater depth-to-surface area ratio than eutrophic lakes. |
| Lakes Photosynthetic Organisms, heterotrophs, human impact | Aquatic plants in the littoral zone; phytoplankton in the limnetic zone, Zooplankton graze on phytoplankton, Nutrient runoff can cause algal blooms and fish kills. |
| Wetlands Physical Environment, chemical environment | Water-saturated soils support adapted plants, Periodically low oxygen due to high organic production |
| Basin Wetlands | Develop in depressions or filled lakes |
| Riverine Wetlands | Along riverbanks |
| Fringe Wetlands | Coastal areas affected by tides |
| Lakes Photosynthetic organisms, heterotrophs, human impact | High productivity with species like cattails and bald cypress, Diverse invertebrates, birds, and herbivores, Wetlands purify water and mitigate flooding |
| Streams & rivers physical environment, chemical environment | Flow speed and volume vary; headwaters are cold and clear, Nutrients and salt content increase downstream |
| Streams & rivers geologic features, photosynthetic organisms, heterotrophs, human impact | Channels vary from narrow rocky bottoms to deeper pools, Rich phytoplankton and rooted plants in some streams, Diverse fish and invertebrates, Pollution from various sources degrades water quality |
| Estuaries physical environment, chemical environment | Transition area between river and sea with tidal influences, Variable salinity, influenced by tides |
| Estuaries geologic features, photosynthetic organisms, heterotrophs, human impact | Complex channels, islands, and mudflats formed by sediment, Saltmarsh grasses and phytoplankton, Abundant invertebrates and fish, critical for bird feeding, Urbanization and pollution disrupt estuaries |
| Intertidal zones physical environment, chemical environment | Alternating submerged and exposed areas by tides, High nutrient and oxygen levels renewed by tides |
| Intertidal zones geologic features, photosynthetic organisms, heterotrophs, human impact | Rocky or sandy substrates influence organism behavior, Diverse marine algae and seagrasses, Adapted animals that attach to substrates; diversity varies, Oil pollution and coastal construction disrupt habitats |
| Ocean pelagic zone physical, chemical environment | Vast open waters mixed by currents, High oxygen but lower nutrient concentrations |
| Ocean pelagic zone geologic features, photosynthetic organisms, heterotrophs, human impact | Covers ~70% of Earth, with depths averaging 4000 m, Phytoplankton, including photosynthetic bacteria, Zooplankton and various marine larvae, Overfishing and pollution threaten marine life |
| Coral reefs physical environment, chemical environment | Formed from coral skeletons in stable, shallow waters, High oxygen levels, sensitive to freshwater inputs |
| Coral reefs geologic features, photosynthetic organisms, heterotrophs, human impact | Require solid substrates for attachment; develop in stages, Mutualistic algae provide energy to corals, High diversity of fish and invertebrates, Coral collection and pollution threaten reefs |
| Marine Benthic zone physical environment, chemical environment | Seafloor below photic zones, lacks sunlight, Oxygen present; varies with depth |
| Marine Benthic zone geologic features, photosynthetic organisms, heterotrophs, human impact | Soft sediments and rocky substrates, Limited to shallow areas; unique communities near hydrothermal vents, Invertebrates and fishes; deep-sea communities rely on organic matter falling from above, Overfishing and pollution create oxygen-deprived areas |
| Dispersal | Movement of individuals or gametes from their origin; critical for range expansions |
| Adaptive Radiation | Long-distance dispersal can lead to the rapid evolution of new species |
| Transplants | Successful transplants indicate potential ranges larger than actual ranges |
| Abiotic Factors | Temperature, water availability, salinity, and sunlight affect species distribution |
| Temperature | Critical for biological processes; organisms have optimal ranges |
| Water Availability | Influences oxygen levels and physiological processes |
| Osmoregulation | Aquatic organisms are limited by their ability to regulate salt concentrations |
| Soil Characteristics | pH, mineral composition, and structure influence plant distribution, affecting animal populations |
| Ecological & Evolutionary Interplay | Adaptive radiation of plants leads to new habitats and food sources, stimulating animal diversification |
| Ecosystem | An ecosystem includes all organisms in a given area and their interactions with abiotic factors (like soil and climate) |
| Ecosystems can... | Vary in scale, from large areas (lakes, forests) to microcosms (under a log or a spring) |
| Light Energy | Comes from the sun; plants convert it into chemical energy through photosynthesis |
| Chemical Energy | Stored in food and used by organisms for work; energy dissipates as heat |
| Decomposers | Break down dead organisms, returning nutrients to the soil |
| Chemical Cycling Biochemical Elements | Elements like carbon and nitrogen cycle between biotic and abiotic components |
| Chemical Cycling Transformation | Photosynthetic and chemosynthetic organisms take up inorganic elements, which are then returned to the environment by metabolism and decomposition |
| First Law of Thermodynamics | Energy cannot be created or destroyed; it can only be transformed |
| Second Law of Thermodynamics | Energy conversions are inefficient; some energy is lost as heat, increasing entropy (the state of disorder) |
| Conservation of Mass | Matter cannot be created or destroyed; chemical elements cycle within ecosystems but can also be gained or lost |
| Nitrogen Fixation | A biological process that adds nitrogen to ecosystems |
| Primary Producers (Autotrophs) | Support all other levels; they convert solar energy into chemical energy (e.g., plants, algae) |
| Primary Consumers (Herbivores) | Eat primary producers |
| Secondary Consumers (Carnivores) | Eat herbivores |
| Tertiary Consumers | Eat other carnivores |
| Decomposers | Break down non-living organic material (detritus) like dead organisms and waste |
| Detritus | Non-living organic material that serves as an energy source for decomposers and some consumers |
| Ecosystem Monitoring | Ecosystem ecologists study energy transfers and chemical cycling to understand how many organisms an environment can support and how much food can be harvested |
| Decomposers Function | Secrete enzymes to digest organic material, absorbing breakdown products |
| Decomposers Role | Essential for recycling chemical elements back to producers, converting organic matter to inorganic compounds |
| Impact of Stopping Decomposition | Life would cease due to the accumulation of detritus and depletion of essential nutrients |
| Photoautotrophs | Use light energy (e.g., plants, algae) |
| Chemoautotrophs | Use chemical energy (e.g., microorganisms in hydrothermal vents) |
| Gross Primary Production (GPP) | Total energy captured by primary producers from light or chemicals |
| Net Primary Production (NPP) | Amount of new biomass added over time; expressed in energy (J/(m²·yr)) or biomass (g/(m²·yr)) Represented as: NPP=GPP-R |
| Total Photosynthesis | Sets the energy budget for ecosystems; only a small fraction of solar energy is used in photosynthesis |
| Light Penetration | Affects primary production in aquatic ecosystems; depth influences photosynthetic activity |
| Limiting Nutrients | Nutrients (like nitrogen and phosphorus) that, when added, can increase production dramatically, often leading to eutrophication |
| Net Ecosystem Production (NEP) | Measures biomass accumulation and is calculated as GPP minus total respiration |
| Flux Measurements | NEP is often estimated by measuring CO₂ or O₂ movements in the ecosystem |
| Aquatic Systems | Nutrient availability, particularly phosphorus, is crucial for cyanobacterial growth |
| Terrestrial Systems | Temperature and moisture primarily control primary production; nitrogen and phosphorus often limit growth |
| Climate Change Effects | Climate change can shift ecosystems from carbon sinks (absorbing CO₂) to carbon sources (releasing CO₂), contributing to climate change |
| Secondary Production | Energy converted into biomass by consumers |
| Net Secondary Production | Energy consumed and used for growth and reproduction. Efficiency |
| Production Efficiency | Percentage of energy stored in food used for growth |
| Trophic Efficiency | Energy transferred from one trophic level to the next (typically 5%-20%, averaging around 10%) |
| Energy Pyramid | Represents energy loss at each trophic level; typically shows decreasing energy from producers to tertiary consumers |
| Biomass Pyramid | Shows total dry mass at each trophic level; some aquatic ecosystems may have inverted biomass pyramids due to rapid consumption of producers |
| Factors Affecting Decomposition | Temperature, moisture, and nutrient availability |
| Rapid Decomposition in Tropical Rainforests | Little organic matter accumulates; most nutrients are in tree biomass |
| Slow Decomposition | Occurs in cold, wet ecosystems (e.g., peatlands) and anaerobic aquatic environments |
| Biogeochemical Cycles | Nutrient cycles that involve both biotic and abiotic components of ecosystems/movement of chemical elements between living and nonliving components of the biosphere |
| Gaseous Elements | Carbon, oxygen, sulfur, and nitrogen cycle globally; heavier elements (e.g., phosphorus, potassium, calcium) are transported as dust |
| Ecological Succession | Ecosystems can recover naturally from disturbances |
| Restoration Ecology | Focuses on initiating or speeding up recovery of degraded ecosystems |
| Bioremidiation | Using organisms (e.g., prokaryotes, fungi, plants) to detoxify polluted ecosystems |
| Biological Augmentation | Adding essential materials to degraded ecosystems to aid recovery |
| Optimism vs. Limits | Environmental damage is partly reversible, but ecosystems are not infinitely resilient |
| Water Cycle biological importance, reservoirs, key processes | Essential for all organisms; influences primary production and decomposition, Oceans (97%), glaciers and polar ice caps (2%), lakes, rivers, and groundwater (1%), evaporation, condensation, precipitation, and transpiration by plants |
| Carbon Cycle biological importance, reservoirs, key processes | Carbon is the framework for organic molecules, Fossil fuels, soils, sediments, oceans, biomass, and atmosphere (CO₂), Photosynthesis removes CO₂; respiration returns it. Burning fossil fuels adds CO₂ to the atmosphere |
| Nitrogen Cycle biological importance, reservoirs | Essential for amino acids, proteins, and nucleic acids; often limiting nutrients for plants, Atmosphere (80% N₂), soils, sediments, surface water, groundwater, and biomass |
| Nitrogen Cycle key processes | Nitrogen fixation (conversion of N₂ to usable forms), nitrification (NH₄⁺ to NO₃⁻), and denitrification (NO₃⁻ to N₂) |
| Phosphorous Cycle biological importance, reservoirs, key processes | Key for nucleic acids, ATP, and bones/teeth, Sedimentary rocks, soils, oceans, and living organisms, Weathering of rocks adds phosphate (PO₄³⁻) to soils; it is taken up by producers and returned through decomposition and excretion |
| Restoration Techniques Encouraging Plant Growth | Plants that thrive in nutrient-poor soils can speed up succession |
| Restoration Techniques Animal Recolonization | Efforts to support animal species in restored ecosystems include habitat corridors and perches |
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