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Definition
| Study of the interactions between organisms and the environment |
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Definition
| All organisms in the environment. Prey, Competitors, Predators. |
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Definition
| Physical, Chemical & Geo. factors. I.E Temp. Water, Salinity, Sunlight, Rocks and Soil |
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Definition
| Species which break dispersal barriers and invades other ecosystems. |
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Definition
| When individuals avoid certain habitats even when habitable and accessible. |
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Definition
| Long-term prevailing weather conditions in a particular area. Major components: Temp., Precip., Sun, and Wind. |
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Definition
| Patterns on the global, regional and local level. |
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Definition
| Very fine patterns, such as those encountered by the community of organisms that live beneath a log (very small). |
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| Incidence of Solar Radiation |
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Definition
| Drives global climate - temp., precip., wind & seasonality. |
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Definition
Earth at constant tilt (23.5)
June Solstice - North tilt towards sun
December Solstice - North tilt away from sun
Equinox - No tilt. 12 hours day night. March = September. |
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Definition
Ascending moist air releases moisture (tropics).
Descending dry air absorbs moisture (arid zone).
Driven by latitude and resulting sun radiation. |
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| Study of earth's surface features. Often affects local climate. |
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Definition
| "Major" ecosystem characterized by dominant flora fauna. |
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Definition
| Lakes, Wetlands, Streams & Rivers, Estuaries (Sea -> river), Intertidal, Reef (Coral), Pelagic (Ocean) and Benthic (Sea/ocean floor). |
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| Very deep benthic. continuous cold and high pressure. |
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Definition
| Area where rooted and floating aquatic plants occur. (Lakes) |
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Definition
| Deep waters inhabited by a variety of phytoplankton and cyanobacteria. (Lakes) |
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Definition
| Tropical Forest, Savanna, Desert, Chaparral (Midlatitude coastal regions), Temperate Grassland, Temperate Broadleaf Forest, Northern Coniferous Forest (Largest), Tundra, High Mountains, Polar Ice. |
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| Classification of Terrestrial Biomes |
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Definition
| Determined by temperature and rainfall. |
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Definition
| Study of environmental influences on a population's distribution, density (size), dynamics & demography |
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Definition
| Group of individuals of a single species living in the same general area |
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| Patterns of Dispersion - Influence of |
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Definition
Clumped - Resource availability and behavior
Uniform - Social Interactions (territoriality)
Random - Position independent of others. |
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Definition
| Patterns of spacing among individuals in a population |
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Definition
| Number of organisms per are or per volume |
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Definition
Census - The counting of individuals
Sample - Estimate through the gathering of small samples
Mark-recapture Method - Estimate through the recapturing of previously marked individuals. |
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Definition
| The influx of new individuals from other areas |
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Definition
| Movement of individuals out of a population. |
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Definition
Intrinsic rate of increase. R-max = b - m
b = birth rate
m = death rate
Used in the equations dN/dT = R-max*N |
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Term
| Exponential Population Growth |
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Definition
| Assumption: Infinite resources and no environmental change. Cannot stay this way. |
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Definition
| Symbolized as K, the maximum population size that a particular environment can sustain. |
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Term
| Zero population growth (ZPG) |
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Definition
| Occurs when the per capita birth and death rates are equal (rMax = 0) |
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Term
| Logistic Population Growth Model |
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Definition
| Per Capita rate of increase approaches zero as the carrying capacity (K) is reached. |
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Definition
| Variation in the size of populations based on biotic and abiotic factors. Very different from exponential and Logistic growth models |
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Definition
| Associated with density-dependent selection |
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Definition
| Associated with density-independent selection |
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Definition
| Commonly graphed as "pyramids". The relative number of individuals of each age in the population. |
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Definition
| Shows rate of survivorship for a cohort/population. (Logistic Curve) |
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Definition
| Traits that directly influence reproduction and survival. |
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Definition
| Single reproduction even prior to death. A reproductive strategy. |
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Definition
| Reproduce several times during life A reproductive strategy. |
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Definition
Consequence of finite resources. Ex. Survival vs. Reproduction
Offspring # vs. offspring size - Both the size and number of offspring affect survival. |
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Definition
| Assemblage of population of interacting species |
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Definition
| Interspecific interactions affect survival and reproduction |
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Definition
| Sum of a species' use of the biotic and abiotic resources in its environment. "Job description". |
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Definition
| What a species would do without limits by others |
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Definition
| What a species actually does (versus fundamental niche) |
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Definition
The differentiation of niches that enables similar species to coexist. "The ghost of competition past".
("Fine, since you keep taking my food I'll go live in this tree") |
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Definition
| Evolutionary divergence in some trait due to competition |
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Term
| Competitive Exclusion Principle |
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Definition
| Two species competing for the same limiting resources cannot coexist. |
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| Basic Resources in community ecology |
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Definition
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| Interspecific Competition |
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Definition
| Includes competition, predation, herbivory, and symbiosis (parasitism, mutualism and commensalism) |
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Definition
| Leads to competitive exclusion. Attempt to reach fundamental niche. |
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Definition
# of prey versus predator is inversely related.
Predators up, prey down
Prey down, predators down
Predators down, prey up
Prey up, predators up
and so on. |
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Definition
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Definition
| Warning coloration, such as a poison dart frog. Animals with effective chemical defenses exhibit this. |
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Definition
| A palatable or harmless species mimics an unpalatable or harmful model. |
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Definition
| Two or more unpalatable species resemble each other. |
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Definition
| Predation on plants. (OH NO!) |
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| Plant Adaptations to Herbivory |
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Definition
Mechanical - Such as thorns
Allelochemicals - Toxins and polymers
Semiochemicals - Attract predators of herbivores. |
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Definition
| A form of symbiosis where the parasite acts of a predator which derives nourishment from its host. Host is harmed in the process. |
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Definition
| Parasites that live within the body of their host such as tapeworms. |
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Definition
| Parasites that feed on the external surface of a host, such as ticks and lice. |
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Definition
| An interspecific interaction that benefits both species (+/+) |
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Definition
Interaction where one species benefits and the other is neither harmed nor helped (+/0).
May not actually exist in nature as the other species may benefit, even if slightly. |
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Definition
| Function of species richness and relative abundance. |
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Definition
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Definition
| Feeding relationships between organisms |
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Definition
| Suggests that the length of a food chain is limited by the inefficiency of energy transfer along the chain. |
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Definition
| Total mass of all individuals in a population |
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| Dynamic stability hypothesis |
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Definition
| Proposes that long food chains are less stable than short food chains. |
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Definition
| Most abundant or have highest biomass. |
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Definition
| Exert strong community control by their ecological roles. Not necessarily abundant or dominating in community. |
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Term
| Otters as a Keystone species |
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Definition
| Without sea otters community became a urchin barren. |
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Definition
An event, such as a storm, fire, flood, drought, overgrazing or human activity that changes a community by removing organisms from it or altering resource availability.
Disturbance-adapted species have an opportunity to prosper. |
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Definition
| Sequence of community changes after disturbance. Species gradually replacing each other. |
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Definition
| Ecological succession in a virtually lifeless area where soil has not yet formed, such as new volcanic islands or on rubble (moraine) left by a retreating glacier. |
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Definition
| Ecological succession in an area with intact soil, usually the aftermath of an existing community being cleared by some disturbance. |
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Definition
| The evaporation of water from landscape plus the transpiration of water from plants. |
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Definition
The larger the geographic area of a community, the more species it has.
Assumption: All other factors (except geographic size) is "equal" between the communities being compared. |
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Definition
Island species richness depends on size, distance from mainland, immigration and extinction.
Will eventually reach equilibrium where the rate of species immigration equals the rate of species extinction. |
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Definition
| Pathogens that are transferred from other animals to humans, either through direct contact with infected animal or a vector |
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Definition
| An intermediate species which carry the pathogens from an infected animal to humans (mosquitoes). |
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Definition
| Integrates ecology, physiology, molecular biology, genetics, and evolutionary biology to conserve biological diversity at all levels. |
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Definition
| Genetic variation within/between populations |
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Term
| Species Diversity (Conserv. Eco.) |
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Definition
| Variety of species in an ecosystem. |
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Definition
| Species that are considered likely to become endangered in the foreseeable future. |
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Definition
| The variety of ecosystems in the biosphere. |
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Definition
| High probability of extinction. |
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| Major Threats to Biodiversity |
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Definition
Habitat Degradation
Introduced Species
Overexploitation
Disruption of "interaction networks" |
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Term
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Definition
| Agricultural and urban development, forestry, mining and pollution. |
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Definition
| The human harvesting of wild organisms at rates exceeding the ability of populations of those species to rebound. |
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| Disruption of "interaction networks" |
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Definition
| The removal of keystone species, pollinators and/or ecosystem engineers (beavers). |
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Term
| Minimum Viable Population (MVP) |
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Definition
| Minimal population size at which a species is able to sustain its numbers and survive. |
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| Effective Population Size |
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Definition
| Based on the breeding potential of a population. Required for an estimate of the minimum viable population (MVP). |
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| Steps to Conserve Biodiversity |
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Definition
1. Assess population status and trends
2. Study natural history
3. Develop Hypothesis
4. Experiment to find solutions
5. Apply results to management. |
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Definition
Attempts to restore degraded ecosystems to a more natural state.
The larger the disturbance the longer it'll take to recover.
Human activity is most devastating. |
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Definition
| An extensive region that includes areas relatively undisturbed by human activity and are used for economic gain. |
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Definition
| Relatively small area with an exceptional concentration of endemic species and a large number of endangered and threatened species. |
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Definition
| Use of organisms, usually prokaryotes, or fungi to detoxify polluted ecosystems. |
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Definition
| Use of plants to detoxify polluted ecosystems. |
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Definition
| Use of organisms to add essential materials to a degraded ecosystem. |
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Definition
| Development that meets the needs of people today without limiting the ability of future generations to meet their needs. |
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Definition
| Biotic community and all abiotic factors with which community interacts. |
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Definition
| Study of energy flow and nutrient cycling through communities and ecosystems |
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Definition
| The trophic level that ultimately supports all others consisting of autotrophs. |
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Definition
| Herbivores whom consume the primary producers. |
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Definition
| Carnivores who eat herbivores or primary consumers |
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Definition
| Carnivores who eat other carnivores and secondary consumers. |
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Definition
| AKA Decomposers. Consumers that get their energy form detritus. |
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Definition
| Nonliving organic material, such as the remains of dead organisms, feces, fallen leaves and wood. |
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| Energy & Nutrient Dynamics |
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Definition
| Energy is conserved but degraded to heat. Energy is lost as heat in every level of the foot chain. |
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Definition
Amount of light energy converted into chemical energy by autotrophs. Sets upper limit on ecosystem complexity.
Much lost in respiration. |
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Term
| NPP = GPP - R (Define terms used) |
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Definition
GPP = Gross Pimary Production
R = Autotrophic Respiration
NPP = Net Primary Production
Analogy:
GPP = Paycheck
R = Bills
NPP = Net earnings
*Only NPP is available to consumers* |
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| Gross Primary Production (GPP) |
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Definition
| Amount of light energy that is converted to chemical energy by photosynthesis per unit time. |
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Definition
| The element that must be added for production to increase. |
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Definition
The percentage of energy stored in assimilated food not used for respiration.
Production Efficiency = (Net Secondary Production) / (Assimilation of primary production) X 100%. |
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Definition
Energy transfer between trophic level is typically only 10% efficient. Many lost in feces, heat, respiration etc.
Energy is said to flow through, not cycle within, ecosystems. |
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| Terrestrial Vs. Marine NPP |
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Definition
Terrestrial contribute ~2/3 of global NPP.
Marine contribute ~1/3 |
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Definition
| Depth of light penetration affects primary production throughout the photic zone of a ocean or lake. |
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Definition
| Area of ocean or zone with no light penetration. |
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Definition
| Element, when added, increases NPP (often Nitrogen and/or Phosphorus) |
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Definition
Rapid growth of organisms (such as Cyanobacteria and Algae) with the accumulation of the limiting nutrient.
Produces many ecological impacts. |
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Definition
Amount of chemical energy in consumers' food that is converted to their own new biomass during a given time period.
Much like Primary Production but for animals
Most energy lost in feces and cellular respiration |
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| Net Secondary Production (NSP) |
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Definition
| Amount of energy added to new biomass (In secondary productivity) |
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Definition
| Net Secondary Production (NSP) + Energy lost in respiration. (Does not include energy lost in feces) |
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Definition
| % of production transferred to next tophic level (5% - 20%) |
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Term
| Biogeochemical Cycles (Define) |
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Definition
| Nutrient cycles which involved both biotic and abiotic components. |
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| Biogeochemical Cycle - Water |
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Definition
Importance: Essential to many biochemical reactions and lifestyles.
Reservoirs: Ocean (97%)
Forms: Liquid
Key Process: Solar Radiation |
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| Biogeochemical Cycles - Carbon |
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Definition
Importance: Integral to all organic molecules
Reservoirs: Biomass, Atmosphere, Oceans and Fossils.
Forms: CO2
Key Processes: Photosynthesis, Respiration |
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Term
| Biogeochemical Cycle - Nitrogen |
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Definition
Importance: Amino Acids, Proteins
Reservoirs: Atmosphere (N2)
Forms: NH4+, NO3-
Key Processes: Nitrogen Fixation |
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Term
| Biogeochemical Cycle - Phosphorus |
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Definition
Importance: Nucleic acids, ATP, Cell membranes
Reservoirs: Sedimentary Rocks
Forms: PO4 3-
Key Processes: Erosion |
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Term
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Definition
| Everything animal does and how it does it (e.g. learning, chemical actions, muscular action, etc.) |
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Definition
| Study of ecological and evolutionary basis for animal behavior |
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Definition
| "How" a behavior occurs or is modified. Generally encompasses innate behaviors and learned behaviors. |
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Definition
| "Why" a behavior occurs in the context of natural selection. Generally encompasses foraging, mating, inclusive fitness and social learning. |
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Definition
| Sequence of unlearned, innate behaviors (unchangeable) |
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Definition
Developmentally fixed actions under strong genetic influence
Proximate Causation |
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Definition
| A change in activity or turning rate in response to a stimulus. |
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Definition
| An oriented movement towards (positive taxis) or away (negative taxis) from a stimulus. |
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Definition
| A regular, long-distance change in location. |
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Definition
| Behavioral rhythms linked to the yearly cycle of seasons. |
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Definition
| An internal mechanism that maintains a 24-hour activity rhythm or cycle. |
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Definition
| A stimulus transmitted from one animal to another. |
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Definition
| Transmission and reception of signals. |
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Definition
Female releases chemicals detected by the male's sense of smell.
Male visually recognizes female. |
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Definition
| Male taps female's abdomen with a foreleg. |
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Definition
| male extends and vibrates wings, produced a courtship song. |
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| Genetic Basis of Behavior (Presented examples of) |
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Definition
Social or Solitary - Roundworm
Promiscuous or Faithful - Meadow Voles
Fruitful or Fruitless - Fruit Flies
Submissive or Regressive - Rhesus Macaque |
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Definition
| The chemical released by communication through odors |
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Definition
| Modification of behavior based on specific experiences. |
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Definition
| A loss of responsiveness to stimuli that convey little or no new information. |
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Definition
| Critical period of learning that is generally irreversible (IE Geese and their mother) |
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Definition
| A limited developmental phase when certain behaviors can be learned. |
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Definition
| The establishment of a memory that reflects the environment's spatial structure. |
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Definition
| "Trial-and-Error" learning. Associates a behavior with a reward or punishment and either repeats or avoids that behavior. |
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Definition
| The ability to associate one environmental feature (such as color) with another (such as taste) |
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Definition
| An arbitrary stimulus becomes associated with a particular outcome. |
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Definition
| The process of knowing represented by awareness, reasoning, recollection and judgment. |
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Definition
| Selection in relation to sex |
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Definition
| Cognitive activity of devising a method to proceed form one state to another in the face of real or apparent obstacles. |
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Definition
| No strong pair-bonds or lasting relationships |
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Term
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Definition
| One male mating with one female |
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Definition
| One male with many females |
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Definition
| One female and many males. |
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Term
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Definition
| Systematic difference in form between individuals of different sexes in the same species. |
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Term
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Definition
| Often ritualized contest that determines which competitor gains access to a resource, such as food or mates. |
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Term
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Definition
| Competition between members of one sex for mates (almost always male). |
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Term
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Definition
| Members of one sex choose mates on the basis of particular characteristics of the other sex. |
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Term
| Frequency Dependent Selection |
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Definition
| Fitness for each morph depends on the frequency of other morphs |
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Term
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Definition
| Some behaviors reduce individual fitness but increase fitness of others. |
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Term
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Definition
| The total effect an individual has on proliferating its genes by producing its own offspring and by providing aid that enables other close relatives, who share many of those genes, to produce offspring. |
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Definition
| Natural Selection that favors altruistic behavior by enhancing reproductive success in relatives. |
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Term
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Definition
R * B > C
R = Degree of relatedness
B = Benefit of behavior to relatives
C = Cost of behavior |
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Term
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Definition
Altruistic behavior toward unrelated individuals.
Can also be adaptive if they return the favor. |
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