Final exam review – Fall 2013

1. Final exam review – Fall 2013 Ecology Topics

2. Symbiosis • relationship where there are close and long-lasting associations between orgs of different species Types: a. parasitism – tick on a dog b. commensalism – barnacle on whale c. mutualism – honeybee and flower

3. Types of Population Growth • Exponential Growth • Logistic Growth

4. 1. Exponential Growth • J-shaped curve • reproduce at a constant rate • Slowly at first, then larger until approaches infinitely large size. • ideal conditions • unlimited resources

5. 2. Logistic Growth • S-shaped curve • Slow increase, larger increase when large number of resources, then slows when resources become less available, growth slows/stops, oscillates around carrying capacity. • Carrying Capacity- • largest # individuals environment can support • Tells size of population when average growth rate reaches zero. How could growth slow or stop?

6. Matter and Energy Flow in Ecosystems • Energy flows through organisms in an ecosystem. IT DOES NOT RECYCLE! • Matter is neither created nor destroyed, it CYCLES • Scientists use models to represent these pathways. 2 models: food chains and food webs *food webs are made up of many interwoven food chains…

7. Food Chains • Nutrients and energy move from autotrophs to heterotrophs to decomposers… • Food chains are drawn with arrow pointing in direction of energy flow – org that consumes will have “mouth” to eat food source. grasshopperrobin robingrasshopper • Food chains can be made up 3 links, but seldom have more than 5 due to loss of energy as heat.

8. food webs video clip

9. Pyramid of Biomass and 10% ruleRepresents the amount ofliving organic matter at each trophic level. Typically, thegreatest biomass is at the base of the pyramid.

10. Carbon and Nitrogen cycles • Carbon cycle • Nitrogen cycle

11. Succession • Primary vs. Secondary succession • Which is this? • Animated example

12. Types of biomes Aquatic 1. marine biomes (saltwater) 2. freshwater biomes Terrestrial 3. tundra 4. taiga (coniferous forest) 5. desert 6. temperate grassland 7. savanna 8. temperate deciduous forest 9. tropical rain forest

13. http://www.blueplanetbiomes.org/world_biomes.htm

14. ADAPTATIONS – What traits make organisms suited for the challenges of their environments?

15. AKS Bio Bio 11e) Relate plant adaptations, including tropisms, to ability to survive stressful conditions • Match the following plants with their correct habitats: • pine tree venus fly trap banana plant cactus • Habitats: Desert, Temperate Forest Bog, Tropical Rainforest, Desert

16. AKS Bio Bio 11e) Relate plant adaptations, including tropisms, to ability to survive stressful conditions • Match the following plants with their correct habitats: • pine tree venus fly trap banana plant cactus • Taiga Temperate Forest Bog Tropical rainforest Desert

17. Below is called a TRACKING GRAPH – because the peaks of the predators always follow the peaks of the prey

18. Population Density • # of individuals in population per unit area • (# individuals) / (area) • Varies depending on species in ecosystem • Increase density = increase crowdedness

19. Types of Competition • Interspecific • Intraspecific

20. Interspecific Competition Competition between different species for the same resources. wildebeast and rhino vultures and hyenas

21. Intraspecific Competition • Competition between members of same species for similar resources. herons lions Bunchgrass in Mojave Desert – roots compete

22. Limiting factors • Def: any environmental factor (whether abiotic or biotic) that restricts the existence, numbers, reproduction, or distribution of organisms in an ecosystem. (Ex. Amount of food, predators, temperature) • Factors that limit one population may also have an indirect effect on another population.

23. Organisms in Ecosystems • Habitat – place where an org lives its day- to-day life. (habitats can change dramatically due to natural or man-made effects: Ex. fire because of lightning or careless campers... • Niche – the role and position a species occupies in its habitat or location. HOW it lives in the habitat…This includes all of the org’s interactions with the living and nonliving parts of the habitat. Ex. Earthworms act as decomposers

24. Threats to Biodiversity(Human Impact): 1. Habitat loss/destruction (this one is the number one concern!) 2. Habitat fragmentation 3. Habitat degradation 4. Introduction of Exotics/Invasive Species

25. Threats to Biodiversity • Habitat loss – destruction of area *deforestation *clear-cutting grasslands *draining wetlands

27. Habitat degradation (damage to habitat by pollution) Pollution: any undesirable factor that is added to air, water or soil. *3 types of pollution: air, land, water

28. Habitat degradation leads to.. • Greenhouse effect and global warming • Algal blooms • Loss of species

29. Biological Magnification

30. Page 495

31. Introduction of Exotic species or Invasive Species • “Exotic” meaning not native to an area • Problem is that there are NO NATURAL PREDATORS, so the new species grows unchecked and can get out of control • Ex. Kudzu, fire ants, zebra mussels

32. Ultimate goals: • Conservation biology • sustainable use practices (nature preserves) • Legal protection of species • Habitat corridors • Recycling and reusing