Ecology 101 Quiz Review

Marine Ecosystems

- Cover about ¾ of the Earth's surface - Compose 97% of planet's water - Generate 32% of world's primary producers - Contain dissolved sodium chloride (table salt) - Salinity: Varies among marine ecosystems (more or less salt)

Desert

- Covers 1/5 of Earth's surface - Rainfall is less than 20 in/year - Occurs at low altitudes - Animals/vegetation have specialized adaptations - Ex. Antarctica (less than 20 in/year rainfall)

Savanna

- Covers 20% of the Earth - Grasses and scattered trees - Transitional Biome (between grassland and forest) - Seasonal precipitation and droughts - Largest portion found in Africa

Grasslands

- Dominant form of vegetation - Occur on all continents except Antarctica - Recieve 20-35 in of rain per year - Temperature ranges from 0⁰F - 85⁰F - Temperate grasslands (cold winters and warm summers)

Taiga

- Extension of coniferous trees across North America and Eurasia - Covers former glacial areas - Present in many areas of Russia - Severe winters

Temperate Forests

- Found in eastern US, Canada, Mexico, South America, Euro, China, Japan, North Korea, and Russia - Precipitation ranges from 28 to 60 in/year - Distinct seasons occur (4 seasons occur; fluctuating temperature)

Rainforests

- Found on the equator in South America, Central America, Central Asia, Australia, Africa - Temperature remains constant at 75⁰F year round - Average rainfall 80in/year - Contains largest diversity of plants and animals on the planet

Terrestrial Ecosystems

- Include dry-land ecoregions - Classified by biome type - Occupies 28% of Earth's surface - Greater temperature fluctuations that aquatic - Light more available than aquatic ecosystems.

Freshwater Ecosystems

- Lakes, ponds, rivers, streams, springs, wetlands - Contain lower salt than marine ecosystems - Classified depending on temperature, light penetration and vegetation.

Aquatic Ecosytem

- Marine Ex. Ocean - Freshwater Ex. River - Refers to communities found within bodies of water

Tundra

- Treeless plain found in the Northern and Southern hemispheres - Coldest biome - Frost on the ground - Extreme low temperature, sparse precipitation, poor nutrients, short growing season

Importance of marine ecosystems to global food webs and the biosphere

1.) Marine ecosystems generate 32% primary producers 2.) 1/3 of chemical energy is from primary producers in marine ecosystem. 3.) CO₂ -> O₂ <- atmosphere/consumers breathe 1/3 of our chemical energy would be lost and depend on these ecosystems for oxygen

Kelp plants have been known to grow up to _______.

10 inches per day

Justify why the predator/prey relationship is a community level interaction.

A community is the interaction between different species which organisms, species, and populations are not. An ecosystem or higher interacts all factors including abiotic which is not a predator prey relationship.

Communities

A group of plants and animals living in a particular area or region. Many different interactions between various species of of organisms Predator/Prey Relationship - Communities between different species - Not organisms, population, species Not ecosystem or higher; all factors including abiotic

Ecosystem

Biotic Factor: Living Component (animal, plant, bacteria) Abiotic Factor: Non-Living Component (air, temperature, soil, water)

Biome

Biotic region characterized by dominant plant life. Prevailing climate

What is the lowest level of organization to include both biotic and abiotic factors?

Ecosystem

Populations

Individuals of the same species in a particular region

What can you conclude about the importance of marine ecosystems to global food webs and the biosphere?

Marine ecosystems generate 32% of the worlds primary producers, making seas and oceans responsible for almost 1/3 of the chemical energy produced in the biosphere. Because primary producers convert carbon dioxide into the oxygen animals breathe, it also means that marine ecosystems are responsible for generating a significant fraction of the oxygen in the atmosphere.

How does non-human life in an urban ecosystem differ from non-human life in an undeveloped forest ecosystem?

Non-human life in urban ecosystem: large amounts of air, water, and soil pollution. Non-human life in an undeveloped forest ecosystem: little pollution of the air, water, or soil.

Biosphere

Regions of Earth that are capable of supporting life. Extends from lower atmosphere to the deep crust.

What characteristic of the species level of organization distinguishes two similar organisms such as ducks and geese as different species?

Species are characterized by interbreeding between members of the group and by the absence of breeding with other groups.

What distinguishes rainforests from temperate forests?

Temperate forests can get up to 60 inches of precipitation a year, rainforests receive 80 inches on average. Rainforests have a constant temperature of about 75°F year-round, while temperate forests have four distinct seasons: spring, summer, fall and winter.

Compare the productivity of terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems against the percent of Earth's surface area they occupy.

Terrestrial ecosystems are more productive then aquatic ecosystems because the terrestrial ecosystem has 2/3 of primary producers were as aquatic ecosystems only have 1/3 primary producers.

species

a group of interbreeding organisms that do not ordinarily breed with members of other groups

endangered species

a species whose population size is rapidly declining and in danger of becoming extinct

What is not true about taiga?

characterized by mild winters

temperate

environments that do not experience extremes in climate

Greater temperature fluctuations occur _______.

in terrestrial ecosystems

biotic

living components of an ecosystem

endemic

native to or confined to a particular area

abiotic

non-living components of an ecosystem

vegetation

plant life in a particular region

Tundra is known for its _______.

sparse precipitation and extreme cold temperatures

adaptation

specialized processes or changes that organisms have or make in order to survive in an environment

climate

the average weather in a given area over an extended period of time