Bio Quiz 2
Climate change
Change in the statistical properties of the climate system when considered over periods of decades
What kind of defenses have plants adapted?
Chemical and physical defenses
What makes parts of the globe different from other parts of the globe?
Climate varies which means changes in temp., rain, wind, sunlight, and rocks and soil
Terrestrial Biome—Tropical Rain Forest
Many different layers of vegetation/complex structure. Examples of the Vegetation-liana vines, strangler vines, rattan vine, dipterocarp trees Characteristics of the Climate- Wet, warm forest that have no dry season, receives lots of sunlight, humid, average temperature of 77 degrees F Adaptations of the Animal Life- They tend to be camouflaged, they live in trees, some are poisonous. their physical features adapt to the food available to them (Ex: birds have long beaks, insects can carry food 50 times their weight). Prehensile tails in mammals and herps (reptiles and amphibians), bright colors, diets heavy in fruits Examples of Animals-monkeys, insects, spiders, other arthropods, amphibians, birds, reptiles General Location on the Globe- near the equator: Amazon river basin, Zaire basin in Africa, eastern Madagascar, Indo-Malaysia Biodiversity High or Low? -Very High (the highest of terrestrial biomes), about half of all known species live in the rainforest Dominant Human Use- Cooking spices Threats to Biome- Poaching, ranching, agriculture, deforestation
Primary production of energy flow
the amount of light energy (1%) converted to chemical energy by autotrophs in an ecosystem during a given period of time
realized niche
the portion if the fundamental niche that an organism occupies; the resources that an organism uses
resource partitioning
the sharing of resources by specialization
competition
the struggle between organisms to survive in a habitat with limited resources (-/-)
restoration ecology
the study and implementation of restoring damaged ecosystems
fundamental niche
the sum total of an organism's use of resources; all things an organism can use
Mullerian mimicry
two harmful unpalatable species resemble each other
community
two or more groups interacting with each other in a given area
symbiosis
two or more species living in direct, intimate contact
competitive exclusion
Strong competition can lead to local elimination of one of the species since two organisms with the same niches cannot exist
What causes climate variation?
Sunlight intensity, circulation cells, and seasonality
Disturbance
an event, caused by physical, chemical, or biological agents, resulting in changes in population size or community composition
Temperate Grasslands
central in continent, dry winters, wet summer, very cold, very hot, grasses, no shrubs or trees,large grassers, used for agriculture
Herbivore adaptations
chemical sensors and multi-chambered stomachs
Why should we care about species extinction?
clothes and food and fuel
extrinsic causes of density dependence
competition for resources, territoriality, health, predation, and toxic by-products
biotic factors that limit dispersal
competition, parasitism, disease, lack of other necssary species
biosphere/ecosphere/global ecology
concerns the entire portion of the earth where living organisms exist; their interactions with each other and their environment
How do human activities affect the nutrient cycles?
nutrient depletion and enrichment nutrient runoffs, acid rain
secondary succession
occurs in a existing community; soil remains intact so the seeds and roots survive
outcome of competition
one goes extinct or extirpated, one migrates, or share by using it in a different way
endoparasite
parasite living on the inside of its host
What can humanity do to help prevent the loss of biodiversity?
protect land, zone reserves, and connect grament patches of land so animals don't get run over
semelparity
"big-bang reproduction": all reproduction concentrated in a single effort salmon and sunflowers
parasitism
(+,-) One organism (parasite) benefits, while the other (host) is harmed
mutualism
(+/+) symbiotic relationship; has to happen cannot live without; facultative; coevolution
type I survivorship
*high* survivorship through *early and middle ages* ex: humans
Temperate Broadleaf Forest
- Midlatitudes - Medium to high amounts of rain, in any season - Winter temperatures around freezing, hot and humid summers - Vertical layers in canopy, leaves drop in winter and Avian migration, mammal hibernation - Deciduous tree - Heavily settled but can recover easily
What factors affect populations/cause changes in populations?
- density-dependent factors - birthrate declines or deathrate increases with increasing population density - density independent factors like fire, extreme weather, or human activities
How do life history traits affect changes in populations?
- time of first reproduction (how old) - Number of young per reproductive effort - semelparity - iteroparity
Photosynthesis is how energy and some nutrients..
get into the system
The % of production transferred from one trophic level to the next is
10%
increase in diversity
= increase in stability
Biome
A group of ecosystems that share similar climates and typical organisms
Population
A group of individuals that belong to the same species and live in the same area
commensalism
A relationship between two organisms in which one organism benefits and the other is unaffected
Northern Coniferous Forest
A terrestrial biome characterized by long, cold winters and dominated by cone-bearing trees largest terrr. biome, north in middle of continent, rainy, north in the middle of continent, rainy, very cold, conifer treesbirds logging
Batesian mimicry
A type of mimicry in which a harmless species looks like a species that is poisonous or otherwise harmful to predators.
niche
An organism's particular role in an ecosystem, or how it makes its living.
Terrestrial Biome—Temperate Broadleaf Forest/Temperate Deciduous Forest
Adaptations of the Vegetation The thin leaves allow vegetation to grow in the understory; trees lose leaves in the winter/dry season, Examples of the Vegetation Broadleaf trees (oaks, maples, beeches), shrubs, perennial herbs, and mosses. Characteristics of the Climate Warm in summer, Cold in the winter, precipitation often. -30°C to 30°C, yearly average is 10°C Adaptations of the Animal Life Adapted to the changing seasons, some of them hibernate and some of them migrate, and others have a special...? Examples of Animals White-Tailed Deer, Raccoon, Opossum, Red fox General Location on the Globe mid-latitude areas which means that they are found between the polar regions and the tropics. Eastern U.S. , China, Europe, so on (? Kind of awkward for me to give credit for "and so on"). Biodiversity High or Low? High Biodiversity (not as high as tropics, but higher than most other biomes due to multiple layers of vegetation). Dominant Human Use Clear cutting for farming, timber, provide food and oxygen to human beings, and a place to have fun; lots of human habitation in this biome Threats to Biome 1. The burning of fossil fuels releases sulfur and nitrogen into the atmosphere. Transported by the wind this can fall to earth as dry deposits or combine with water to form "acid rain". 2. Fires started by people consume an average of one per cent of the existing Mediterranean forest every year (probably a different biome). 3. Fragmentation--cutting it into smaller and smaller pieces 4. Introduced diseases--Chestnut blight, oak wilt, emerald ash borer, Dutch elm disease
Terrestrial Biome—Tropical Dry Forest
Adaptations of the Vegetation Most of the trees are evergreen or deciduous. Trees have thicker bark, thicker and smaller leaves, deeper roots, and thorns. Examples of the Vegetation Orchids, cacti, and bromeliads. Characteristics of the Climate Temperatures are high all year with a dry season (when there is little to no rainfall). Adaptations of the Animal Life There are more larger mammals. Many animals migrate during the dry season to wetter regions. Examples of Animals Giraffe, orange necked partridge, chameleons, and termites. General Location on the Globe southern Mexico, southeastern Africa, the Lesser Sundas, central India, Indochina, Madagascar, New Caledonia, eastern Bolivia and central Brazil, the Caribbean, valleys of the northern Andes, and along the coasts of Ecuador and Peru Biodiversity High or Low? High biodiversity (50-100% of neighboring rainforest) Dominant Human Use Deforestation, humans use wood of trees for lumber or paper Threats to Biome Deforestation, Climate Change, invasive species, and fires.
Terrestrial Biome—Polar Ice
Adaptations of the Vegetation · Due to permanent ice, very little vegetation can grow on the ice Examples of the Vegetation · Microscopic algae, Mosses and lichens Characteristics of the Climate · Temperatures are below freezing- 0 degrees Celsius · Only receives approx. 6 inches of precipitation per year · Driest climate on earth Adaptations of the Animal Life · No herbivores live in the polar ice biome because there are no plants · Thick fur, tough skin · Use snow to burrow for shelter and to live Examples of Animal Penguins, polar bears, seabirds, seals, whales, walruses, foxes, wolves General Location on the Globe · Farthest away from the equator and sun · Greenland, Arctic, Antarctica Biodiversity High or Low? · Lowest species diversity on earth Dominant Human Use · Whaling and hunting animals Threats to Biome · Global warming **** Overfishing Pollution
Terrestrial Biome—Northern Coniferous Forest/Boreal Forest/Taiga
Adaptations of the Vegetation - They are dependent on fire to reach end rate (??) and the cone shape prevents too much snow from accumulating breaking branches. The needle/scale shape leaves prevent water loss. Examples of the Vegetation - Pine spruce, fir, hemlock Characteristics of the Climate - Cold winters and warm to hot summers, (-50ºC - 20ºC), precipitation is 30cm - 70cm with occasional droughts (during winter mainly, when the water is locked away in ice and snow) Adaptations of the Animal Life - Mammals hibernate in winter and birds migrate to warmer temperatures in the winter Examples of Animals - Brown bears, moose, siberian tigers and migratory birds General Location on the Globe - North America and Eurasia; stops at the edge of the Arctic Biodiversity High or Low? - Plant diversity is relatively low while animals are relatively diverse in the summer. Dominant Human Use - Logging, mineral extraction Threats to Biome - Human logging may cause portions of the forest to disappear. Trees are also not growing as big or tall as they once were before humans intervened.
Terrestrial Biome—Tundra
Adaptations of the Vegetation - adapted to the cold short growing season, trees grow close to the ground so they are insulated by snow, vegetation short because roots cannot penetrate permafrost Examples of the Vegetation - almost no trees, lichens, mosses, grasses, sedges, shrubs Characteristics of the Climate - cold, dry, permafrost, low sunlight intensity (what rain does fall does not go anywhere--it cannot evaporate because it is too cool, and it cannot penetrate the permafrost, so summers have abundant moisture) Adaptations of the Animal Life - migration(birds) and hibernation, have a lot of fur and/or fat layers, breed and raise offspring in the summer since it is warmer, larger bodies and shorter arms, legs and tails that help retain heat better Examples of Animals - arctic fox, reindeer, brown bears, many many many insects in the summer General Location on the Globe - Northern latitudes... North America, Eurasia, and Antarctica Also at the tops of tall mountains (alpine tundra) Biodiversity High or Low? - Low because it is cold and dry -around 1700 species of plants that live in this zone Dominant Human Use - Oil industry and mining, tourism, people living there to hunt Threats to Biome - more people have moved to this biome to work in mines and the oil industry, pollution from mines, climate change may melt the permafrost, which would devastate the proper function of this ecosystem (and many others, for diverse reasons)
Terrestrial Biome—Savanna
Adaptations of the Vegetation: Mixed woodland or grassland vegetation that has few trees widely spaced out so canopy doesn't close Open canopy allows for enough sun to reach grasses on the ground Plants of the savanna are able to survive the long periods of droughts Examples of the Vegetation: Rhodes grass, red oats grass, pine savannas (In general, lots of grass, and fire-resistant trees) Characteristics of the Climate: Wet/Dry Climate, meaning.... In the savanna climate there is a distinct dry season, which is in the winter (when the land is subject to large wildfires). Savannas get all their rain in the summer months. During the distinct dry season of a savanna, most of the plants shrivel up and die. Temp range: 68-86 ℉ Annual precipitation: 10-30 in, some savannas around the world get ten inches of rain, and some ten full feet. Adaptations of the Animal Life: -Giraffes can go weeks without water and have long necks to feed on high trees -Gazelles graze on grasses that camouflage them from predators when out in the open Examples of Animals: African Elephant African Wild Dog Black Mamba Emu Lion Nile Crocodile Koala Bear Zebra Egyption Mongoose Giraffe Gazelle General Location on the Globe: * Orange - areas of Savanna Biomes Found in wide bands on either side of the equator and on the edges of tropical rainforests Biodiversity High or Low?: high biodiversity Dominant Human Use: Humans impact the Grassland Savanna by lessening the area of the land by making new space for industrialization, and urban, and agriculture Increasing dominant use compared to the past Threats to Biome: Effects of climate change Overgrazing Deforestation Increased agricultural use decreases water available
Terrestrial Biome—Chaparral
Adaptations of the Vegetation: Due to the long period of dryness, only plants with hard leaves can survive because they prevent water loss. Plants are adapted to fire, so after a fire, seeds will germinate enabling pants to resprout. Dominated by shrubs and small trees Examples of the Vegetation: Blue Oak, Common Sagebrush, Olive Tree, and Pines. Mostly shrubs and small trees with lots of grass. Lots of diversity. Characteristics of the Climate: It has a Mediterranean Climate. In the winter it is mild and moist, but only gets about 10-17 inches of rain which is very seasonal. During the summer it is dry and hot. The temperature is mild and ranges from 30-100 F. Fall, winter, and spring are very mild. Adaptations of the Animal Life: The jackrabbit has large ears to help cool it off and its paws are covered in fur so it doesn't burn them on the hot rocks. The kit fox has special pigmentation in their eyes to protect them from harmful UV rays. Many animals are nocturnal, so that they can sleep during the heat of the day and hunt at night when it's cooler. Examples of Animals: Blacktail jackrabbit, grey fox, kit fox, wild goat, ground birds like quail and thrashers. High diversity of small animals that feed off shrubs, twigs, and buds of woody vegetation. General Location on the Globe: western coast of the United States, Western coast of South America, western tip of Australia, and parts near the Mediterranean-- occurs in the midlatitudes of several continents. Biodiversity High or Low?: Biodiversity in the chaparral biome is rather low due to the long period of dryness and only few plant species can survive there. Animal diversity is also limited. Most of the animals that live here are burrowing animals and nocturnal. Plant diversity is very high. Dominant Human Use: human industrialization and urbanization has cleared out many plant species and allowed non-native plants to invade the area - resulting in many endangered species Threats to Biome: Fires (fires are normal, so preventing fires can threaten native plants), human pollution, animals being hunted, homes being built, and land being turned into agricultural land.
Terrestrial Biome—Desert
Adaptations of the Vegetation: deeply rooted, grow during moist periods, high heat tolerance, high desiccation tolerance (extreme dryness), water storage, reduced leaf surface area (allows less sunlight in and less evaporation), needles and spines Examples of the Vegetation: Cacti, euphorbs, Characteristics of the Climate: Dry, Extreme temperature differences (50 degrees C - -30 degrees C), precipitation is generally less than 30 cm per year, extremely windy, a lot of sunlight, dry soil with salts, (can be hot or cold) Adaptations of the Animal Life: many species are nocturnal, conservation of water, survive only on water from breaking down carbohydrates in seeds, Examples of Animals: snakes, lizards, scorpions, ants, beetles, birds, seed-eating rodents, Wild dog, coyote General Location on the Globe: 30 degrees North and south latitude Biodiversity High or Low?: very low Dominant Human Use: Not a lot of human use, some off-roading can cause vegetation to die Threats to Biome: Global warming heats the desert up even more burning the trees it already has, the only biome that is expanding (not too much threatens the desert)
Terrestrial Biome—Temperate Grasslands
Adaptations of the Vegetation: dry conditions, fires, grazing animals, narrow leaves, extensive roots, soft stems, dormant-option to survive, grow/spread seeds and pollen with wind Examples of the Vegetation: Sagebrush, wheat, Asters-grass, Cone flowers, goldenrods, sunflowers, clovers, wild indigos, purple needle grass, blue gramas, buffalo grass, galleta Characteristics of the Climate: Little precipitation of 10-35in (late spring, early summer), hot summers (37℃+), cold winters (as low as -40℃) Not as much precipitation as a forest, but more than a desert Adaptations of the Animal Life: broad flat teeth, multi-chambered digestive system = feed on grasses, front legs/paws burrow into ground(protect from predators), Different coats for seasonal changes Examples of Animals: Bison, Prairie dog, gazelles, zebras, wild horses, lions, wolves, jack rabbits, deer, coyotes, fox, skunk, badgers, black birds, meadowlarks, sparrow, hawks, quails, owls, snakes, grasshoppers, spiders. General Location on the Globe:North of Tropic of Cancer(23.5°N), south of Tropic of Capricorn(23.5°S) -Major Areas: veldts of Africa, pampas of South America, steppes of Eurasia, plains of North America Biodiversity High or Low? Low- not many layers of life (little trees/water holding areas) Dominant Human Use: Ranching, grazing for livestock, agriculture(grains), in certain areas=urban development. Mostly converted to agriculture in US Threats to Biome:Overgrazing of livestock, conversion to Agriculture, fragmentation, eradication of vital prey/predators
predation
An interaction in which one organism kills another for food (+-)
facilitation
An interaction in which one species has a positive effect on the survival and reproduction of another species indirectly
What are trophic structures?
Feeding relationships between organisms in a community.
Marine Biomes—Streams and Rivers
Freshwater or Saltwater? -Freshwater Physical Characteristics of the Biome -rivers deep and wider, streams shallower and shorter -moving water **** has a current -start at headwaters Water Chemistry of the Biome -carry dissolved ions from groundwater; Oxygen high is fast-moving waters, and lower in slow-moving waters, so geology/geography becomes important. Nutrients come from surrounding terrestrial biomes. Characteristics of the Photosynthesizers -rooted aquatic plants -mosses, algaes Examples of the Photosynthesizers -Cattail -Algae -Charales Adaptations of the Animal Life -gills -fins Anything that will help the inhabitants stay in one place Examples of the Animals -alligator snapping turtle -channel catfish -leopard frog General Location on the Globe (????) Group 1 letting you down, too! - Geological Features -rocks can cause sediment drops -slope changes layout of river (and oxygen content) Biodiversity High or Low? -high or low depending on the water chemistry Threats to the Biome (????)
Marine Biomes—Marine Benthic Zone
Freshwater or Saltwater? -Saltwater Physical Characteristics of the Biome It is the ocean floor - Green algae (algae are biota, not a physical characteristic) - No sunlight (at depth, but lots of sunlight in shallower parts of the ocean - Cold temperature (at depth, but warmer in shallow parts) Very high pressures at depth Water Chemistry of the Biome -Deeper regions of benthic zone have less oxygen - Shallow regions of benthic zone have high oxygen content due to high amounts of plant life and coral reefs Characteristics of the Photosynthesizers (????) Group 16 letting you down, too. Have to look it up yourself Examples of the Photosynthesizers Multiple types of seaweed Coral reef Mangroves Photosynthetic algae Adaptations of the Animal Life Very dense with negative buoyancy (at depth) Flattened body shape Great variety of body types depending on depth Example of the Animals Bottom feeders Sponges Crabs Lobsters Worms and other mud-living, crawly things) General location on the Globe -All of the seafloor Geological Features Mostly soft sediments with a few areas of rocky substrate on reefs, submarine mountains, and new oceanic crust. Biodiversity High or Low? Biodiversity is highest in shallow, warm-water regions of the benthic zone and continues to drop as the water level gets deeper Threats to the Biome Pollution, Overfishing, oxygen deprivation from organic waste dumping
Marine Biomes—Lakes
Freshwater or Saltwater? Freshwater Physical Characteristics of the Biome- Zonation Terrestrial Plants Emerged/Submerged Plants Benthic Zone- The bottom: Closer to the water's surface and near the edges, it will contain plants (Eu)photic Zone-Open water where the light penetrates the water. Aphotic zone-where the light does not penetrate Water Chemistry of the Biome- Can have large nutrient supplies, flushing time can be centuries long, <1% salt, lakes are maintained by precipitation and runoff. N and P can be quite variable, and can affect O levels greatly (oligotrophic (nutrient poor) and eutrophic (nutrient rich) Characteristics of the Photosynthesizers: protists like algae and cyanobacteria photosynthesize near the surface; emergent plants (those that are rooted underwater, but come up above the surface) are in the shallow edges of the lake Examples of the Photosynthesizers: algae and cyanobacteria, plants near the surface of the lake in the Benthic Zone Adaptations of the Animal Life: Fish adapted to low salt percentages, mammals adapted to catch fish, other protists or animals feed off the algae which is the first step in the food chain, reptiles and amphibians adapted to live in both the water and on land Examples of the Animals fish, frogs, ducks, geese, turtles, beavers General Location on the Globe: Generally places of moisture not exposed to high heat May be present in mountain locations (snow runoff) Geological Features lower altitude or ground than the surrounding areas usually rocks usually open area Biodiversity High or Low? Depends, if the lake has currents, there is higher biodiversity stagnant lakes can be taken over by algae Threats to the Biome Pollution, overfishing, climate change, habitat modification (dams, urban development, agricultural practices)
Marine Biomes—Wetlands
Freshwater or Saltwater? Freshwater or saltwater Physical Characteristics of the Biome Hydric soils which are anaerobic because the spaces between the soil are filled with water instead of air. Duration of flooding or prolonged soil saturation by groundwater determines the vegetation Water Chemistry of the Biome Wetlands act as filters to remove sediment and many contaminants. Contain lots of organic matter, microorganisms are limited by nitrogen. Local microorganisms use the nitrate nutrients to oxidize some of the carbon Characteristics of the Photosynthesizers The photosynthetic rate of wetlands plants are highly correlated with light intensity and temperature The photosynthetic characteristics of wetlands species can affect their ability to provide oxygen and this ultimately influences their disposal efficiencies (by this, do you mean the efficiency with which they dispose of pollutants?). Examples of the Photosynthesizers (???) Group 2 fell down on the job, here. You'll have to look for yourself! Adaptations of the Animal Life Webbed feet, uniquely shaped bills. special gills, reduced activity levels, breathable skin all help with low oxygen levels. Examples of the Animals Wide variety of birds, fish, frogs, reptiles, and mammals. General Location on the Globe (???) Come on group 2! (really can be anywhere) Geological Features -can be large flat areas or relatively small and steep areas -wet for significant periods of time -common where water and land meet Soil adapted to inundation Biodiversity High or Low? Wetlands have high biodiversity. (except for bogs, which have low diversity) Threats to the Biome -Conversion of land for commercial development, drainage schemes****, extraction of minerals and peat, overfishing, tourism, siltation, pesticide discharges from intensive agriculture, toxic pollutants from industrial waste, and the construction of dams and dikes
Marine Biomes—Estuaries
Freshwater or Saltwater? Mixture of both Is a transition area between river and sea Physical Characteristics of the Biome Seawater flows up estuary channel during a rising tide and recedes with falling tide Higher-density seawater occupies the bottom of channel and lower-density river water at the surface mud flats protection from large storms and hurricanes Water Chemistry of the Biome Salinity varies spatially and with the rise and fall of the tides. The salt water and fresh water do not mix readily, causing the freshwater to float on top of the more dense seawater Water circulation transports organisms, nutrients, oxygen, waste, and sediments The degree that the saltwater and freshwater mix in an estuary can differ, based on size, shape, and location of the estuary Weather patterns and precipitation can also affect the salinity of this biome natural water filter Characteristics of the Photosynthesizers need to be adapted to salty conditions and freshwater conditions, too push salt out onto surface of leaves Examples of the Photosynthesizers Saltmarsh grasses and algae, including phytoplankton, are major producers in estuaries. pickleweed, saltgrass, alkali heath Adaptations of the Animal Life must be able to respond quickly to drastic changes in the salinity Examples of the Animals Worms, oysters, crabs, and many fish species -harbor seal, river otter, great-blue heron, hermit crab, scallop, chum salmon General Location on the Globe on the coasts where rivers meet seas Geological Features Flow patterns combined with sediments carried by river and tidal waters create a complex network of tidal channels, islands, natural levees, and mudflats Coastal plain (rising sea levels flood existing river valleys), bar-built (barrier beaches that form parallel to the ocean), deltas (large flat fan shaped deposit of sediment), tectonic(Earth's tectonic plates create depressions), fjords(steep-walled river valleys) Biodiversity High or Low? Nutrients from the rivers make estuaries, like wetlands, among the most productive biomes relatively low biodiversity compared to other biomes? (no, in general, I would say, it is pretty high) Threats to the Biome? Filling, dredging, and pollution from upstream have disrupted estuaries worldwide. population increase led to loss of estuary land, destroyed land, dams block passage, sewage discharges, shifts in climate and, people have drained biomes and filled them with dirt in order to build houses, Location of many cities, and ports worldwide
Marine Biomes—Intertidal Zones
Freshwater or Saltwater? Saltwater Physical Characteristics of the Biome Area periodically submerged and exposed by the movement of the tides The higher the zone, the longer the exposure to air Organisms must adapt to salinity changes Water Chemistry of the Biome Oxygen and nutrient levels are high and vary with the tides Characteristics of the Photosynthesizers Inhabit rocky and sandy environments Those that are found on the sand and on the rocks, too! must be able to withstand wave action, and are often times protected by bays and lagoons, or may have holdfasts and tough, springy leaves to protect them from the force of the waves Examples of the Photosynthesizers Sea Grass (other marine vegetation ie kelp****) Algae Adaptations of the Animal Life Structural adaptations (to attach to the hard and rocky surfaces) Behavioral adaptations (bury themselves and feed during incoming tides) Examples of the Animals Worms Clams Predatory crustaceans Sponges Sea anemones Echinoderms Small fish General Location on the Globe On almost any coast Acts as an ecotone between the marine and terrestrial biomes Geological Features Sandy Rocky- shelves, abysses, arches, trenches, etc. Biodiversity High or Low? High biodiversity Threats to the Biome Oil pollution and other toxic spills The construction of rock walls and barriers Heavy tourism and toxic traffic
Marine Biomes—Coral Reefs
Freshwater or Saltwater? Saltwater Physical Characteristics of the Biome Warm water required Coral Polyps Shallow water Range of colors(pink, white, red, orange, green, blue, and purple) Limestone skeleton Water Chemistry of the Biome When CO2 is absorbed, carbonic acid is formed, and hydrogen ions are released and pH level decreases. When hydrogen ions are released in water they combine with carbonate ions to from bicarbonate Easily thrown out of balance by the input of pollutants Characteristics of the Photosynthesizers Provides algae with protected environment and compounds needed for photosynthesis. (?) The algae are the photosynthesizers, and they are housed inside the coral polyps. Examples of the Photosynthesizers Photosynthetic algae-zooxanthellae Adaptations of the Animal Life Fish have adapted bodies to swim faster. Examples of the Animals Vertebrates Fishes, sea snakes, sea turtles, manatees Invertebrates mollusks, crustaceans, sponges General Location on the Globe Tropics Atlantic Pactific Indian Ocean Australia (Great Barrier Reef) Pretty much anywhere that the ocean is shallow and warm enough Geological Features Shallow water Biodiversity High or Low? high (highest diversity of marine biomes) Threats to the Biome Rising sea level Increasing sea temperature **** Severe weather events Addition of nutrients from terrestrial sources
Marine Biomes—Oceanic pelagic Zone
Freshwater or Saltwater? Saltwater Physical Characteristics of the Biome Waters that are not connected to land in any direction, neither horizontally or vertically. Vast realm of open blue water, constantly mixed by wind-driven oceanic currents Water Chemistry of the Biome Oxygen levels are generally high, nutrient concentrations are generally lower than in coastal waters (especially low in N, P, and Fe) Characteristics of the Photosynthesizers Phytoplankton, including photosynthetic bacteria, that drift with the oceanic currents. Photosynthetic plankton account for about half of the photosynthetic activity on Earth Examples of the Photosynthesizers Phytoplankton Adaptations of the Animal Life Life decreases with increase in water depth Examples of the Animals Tuna, shark, and large marine animals such as whales and dolphins. Jellyfish and comb jellies are also found here (little fish eat photosynthesizers, bigger fish eat little fish). General Location on the Globe Located in any ocean body on the globe. Geological Features 4 subzones: mesopelagic, bathypelagic, abyssopelagic, hadalpelagic (interesting, but not critical to know these. Generally, lets just say it is deep (average about 2 mi deep) Biodiversity High or Low? High (at the edges of the ocean, but very low in the deep, dark parts, so low on average) Threats to the Biome HUMANS! Overfishing has depleted fish stocks in all Earth's oceans; marine life has also been harmed by pollution, ocean acidification, and global warming
feeding relationships are how energy and nutrients move...
IN the system
Why is biodiversity important to humans?
It contributes to advancements in medicine, agriculture, and ecosystem services.
Ectoparasites
Parasites that feed on external surface of host.
Acid rain
Rain containing acids that form in the atmosphere when industrial gas emissions (especially sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides) combine with water.
Ecology
Scientific study of interactions among organisms and between organisms and their environment
Phosphate cycle
The biogeochemical cycle that describes the movement of phosphorus through the lithosphere, hydrosphere, and biosphere.
net primary productivity
The energy captured by producers in an ecosystem minus the energy producers respire Gross primary productivity - cellular respiration
Carbon cycle
The organic circulation of carbon from the atmosphere into organisms and back again
What is the overall goal of both conservation ecology and restorative ecology disciplines?
aim to protect species
conservation ecology
The subdiscipline of ecology whose goal is to understand the processes of extinction of populations and species, and to devise ways to conserve species and the ecological systems of which they are a part.
character displacement
The tendency for characteristics to be more divergent in sympatric (occuring in the same place) populations of two species than in allopatric populations of the same two species.
Gross primary productivity
The total primary production of an ecosystem; measure of new energy converted not of the standing biomass
Nitrogen cycle
The transfer of nitrogen from the atmosphere to the soil, to living organisms, and back to the atmosphere
Ecosystem
all communities in an area and all of the aboitic factors with which they interact
population ecology
a group of individuals of the same species living and interecting within a PARTICULAR GEOGRAPHIC AREA ex: fox squirrels on augie campus
What is a threatened species?
a species that is likely to become endangered soon through all or part of its range
How are populations measured?
abundance - the number of individuals in a population; census density - the number of individuals in an area dispersion - the number of individuals distributed across a landscape (where you end up)
intrinsic causes of density dependence
aggression, dispersal
intrinsic
belonging naturally; essential
How/why do populations fluctuate?
birth rate, death rate, immigration, emmigration
How do we measure communities?
by their diversity and richness; more diversity (more evenly distributed) - better community
What are life history traits?
different approaches that have evolved over time to deal with different environments/ conditions traits that affect survival and reproduction ex: survivorship strategies
Immigration and emmigration are types of
dipersal
dN/dt=rmax*N
exponential growth dN - change in pop size dT - change in time rmax - rate of growth N - population size
How do we graph population changes?
exponential or logistic
landscape ecology
focuses on the factors controlling exchanges of energy, materials, and organisms across multiple ecosystems
extrinsic
foreign, coming from outside; inessential
aquatic biomes
freshwater and marine; majority of biomes
abiotic factors that limit dispersal
geographic barriers, sunlight (plants), temp/wind/precip/humidity, water and oxygen. salinity (water), rocks and soil, and climate
Dominant species
have a large impact on the community (most abundance/highest biomass) have a bigger impact on communities
foundation species
have a large impact on the community; Cause physical changes in environment that affect community structure.
keystone species
have a large impact on the community; niche is very important; if they were not there the community would collapse; "key to the community"
Tundra
high winds, low temps, very north, rainy/snowy, cold mostly herbaceous, perm. frozen layer of soil, predators, birds, oil mines, and sparely settled
ecosystem ecology
includes communities of organisms in a particular area AND THE PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT
Herbivory
interaction in which one animal (the herbivore) feeds on producers (such as plants) (+-)
What interactions can occur between individuals of different species within a community?
kill, eat, ignore, help, compete, share, or spread diseases
Climate influences
land
terrestrial biomes
land biomes; natural vegetation
dN/dt=rmax*N((K-N)/K)
logistic growth dN - change in pop size dT - change in time rmax - rate of growth N - population size k - carrying capacity
type III survivorship
low survivorship early in life ex. oak trees
community ecology
many populations of different species inhabiting a particular geographic area Ex: squirrels and trees and fleas on campus
organismal ecology
morphological, physiological, and behavioral ways of the individual organism posed by their biotic and abiotic environments.
Both energy and nutrients are transformed by
photosynthesis and feeding relationships
Behavioral and Psysiological facotrs that limit dispersal
physical limitation to travel, slow rate of travel, triggers for reproduction
type II survivorship
relatively constant survivorship throughout life ex. birds
iteroparity
repeated reproduction, produce offspring repeatedly, requires parental care dogs and humans
What is an endangered species?
species in danger of extinction
primary succession
succession that occurs on surfaces where no soil exists; very long time to generate a community bc there are no seeds
Energy must be used for
survival and reproduction
How does climate influence land by?
temp, precipitation, sunlight, and wind
Why do species go extinct?
when deaths exceed births over a long period of time climate change, habitat loss, invasive/introduced species, pollution, overharvest