Bio 1050 chapter 34

List 2 benefits from fire in chaparral biomes

1. Some plant species have seeds that will only Germinate after fire 2. Ash left behind after a fire provides nutrients for further plant growth

What two factors can explain the presence of a species in a particular area?

1. Species evolve from ancestors living in area 2. Moved to that location

List three abiotic factors that influence organisms with their habitat and describe adaptations that organisms have to these factors

1. Sunlight: plants in a forest floor grow quickly to try to gain advantage of sunlight that comes through trees 2. Temperature: important factor because it affects metabolism. Temperatures above 45°C (115°F) Destroy enzymes for most organisms. But some have enzymes that can function at high temperature 3. Water: essential to all life. Many plants have adaptations, such as waxy coverings to help minimize water loss

List the factors that contribute to the ocean currents

1. Surface winds 2. Coriolis effect (earth's rotation) 3. Continental deflection (way currents deflect off land masses)

List and describe an adaptation that a pronghorn antelope has to an abiotic factor and an adaptation it has to a biotic factor

Abiotic- able to raise patches of its fur in the summer to help radiate heat away from itself Biotic- their teeth are adapted for biting and grinding plant material

Why are birds and mammals found in Himalayan Alpine Meadows, but non-bird reptiles and amphibians or not?

As ectotherm's, reptiles other than birds and amphibians do not have adaptations that enable them to withstand cold temperatures of Alpine habitat

Third level of study and ecology: community

Assemblage of all the populations of organisms

Compare the characteristics of a river at its source (headwaters) with the characteristics for downstream

At source- rivers have low levels of nutrients, fast flowing Downstream- River widens out, slows down and much more salt that makes it murky

People often confuse estuaries with intertidal zones. Briefly explain the difference between them

intertidal- Ocean meets land Estuary- River/stream merges with ocean

Which of these aquatic biomes is one of the most productive of all biomes A. Aphotic zone B. Benthic zone C. Pelagic zone D. Estuaries

estuary

Permafrost

permanently frozen ground - Prevents root of plants penetrating fart into the soil

Most of the best agricultural soils in the United States are found in areas that were formerly

temperate grasslands

Coniferous Forest (Taiga)

trees at high latitudes; Long and cold winter, short and wet summer * largest terrestrial biomes on earth* Location: North America and Asia south of Arctic Circle

The greatest annual input and least seasonal variation in solar radiation occurs in the

tropics

Which type of biomes are found in the continental United States?

1. High mountains 2. Chaparral 3. Temperate grassland 4. Desert 5. Northern coniferous forests 6. Temperate broadleaf forest Not included- polar ice, tundra, Savanna

Chaparral

A biome dominated by spiny evergreen shrubs adapted to periodic drought and fires; found where cold ocean currents circulate offshore, creating mild, rainy winters and long, hot, dry summers.

What is the relationship between a landscape and an ecosystem

A landscape includes multiple ecosystems with the absence of defined borders

Why isn't a "cold desert" An oxymoron?

Because deserts are defined by low precipitation and dry soil, not temperature

aphotic zone

Below photic zone; light does not penetrate enough for photosynthesis

Ecologist group variables into what two major types?

Biotic factors- include all organisms in the area, living component of the environment Abiotic factor - environments nonliving component. Physical and chemical factors such as temperature, forms of energy, water

List biotic and abiotic factors

Biotic: animals and plants Abiotic: soil, temperature, precipitation

How do fires help to maintain savannas as grassland ecosystems?

By repeatedly preventing the spread of trees and other woody plants; grasses survive because the growing points of their shoots are underground.

Which of the following includes all of the others? A. Community B. Organism C. Ecosystem D. Population

C. Ecosystem

What effect does DDT have on eggshells of birds

Causes them to become thin and prone to breaking when set on by the mother

True or false: no life can exist in dark environments like caves because all auto troughs are dependent on the sun.

Chemoautotroughs can extract energy from inorganic chemicals in environment

Why are the soils in most tropical rain forest so poor in nutrients that they can only support farming for a few years after forest is cleared?

Climate conditions fever rapid decomposition of organic litter in soil. Most of ecosystems nutrients are tied in vegetation that is cleared away before farming rather than stored in soil

temperate rainforest

Coniferous forest of coastal North America supported by warm, moist air from Pacific

Which statement about coniferous forests is true?

Coniferous forests experience precipitation that is mainly in the form of snow.

Biomes that are similar but geographically separated may share species with similar adaptations due to ________

Convergent evolution

Desertification

Conversion of semi arid regions to desert (environmental problem)

What causes summer in the north hemisphere?

Northern hemisphere= tilted towards the sun during portion of annual orbit that corresponds to summer months

Temperate Grasslands

Description: Grass and some trees (along river and downstream) *soils are richer in organic and inorganic nutrients* Regions= Cold winter temperatures Locations: North America and central Eurasia

temperate forest

Description: large amount of rainfall to support large trees; summer and winter *sufficient moisture* Locations: eastern US and Europe

Tundra

Description: permafrost and little/no light in autumn and winter. Little rainfall. Winter= cold and windy Location: Northwest territories of Canada

What do you find the boundary between the photic and aphotic zones

Distance that light penetrates (200 m)

The immediate results of the widespread use of pesticides and fertilizers included_____, but long-term results included______

Dramatic increase in crop yields; The evolution of pest resistance

Why are many of the world's deserts located at latitudes of about 30° north and south?

Dry air descends 30° north and south

A scientist that is studying the habit of mountain gorillas is most accurately called an...

Ecologist Ecology- interactions between organisms and environment

Biosphere

Entire portion of earth inhabited by life

Rachel Carson's book silent spring deals with the

Environmental effects of pesticides

Transpiration

Evaporation of water from the leaves of a plant

What does bacteria do in dark environments?

Extract energy from inorganic chemicals powered by ecosystems

True or false: deserts are characterized by little rainfall and extremely hot temperatures

False, characterized by lack of precipitation, but they can be cold. - driest of all terrestrial biomes. Rainfall= less than 30 cm per year *can be hot or cold*

continental shelf

part of a continent that extends out underneath the ocean (pelagic and benthic realms)

Which statement about biomes, the major terrestrial ecosystems covering the earth, is true? A. Fire is important in some biomes because it creates openings B. Most of the nine major biomes are unaffected by human activity C. The major factors affecting the distribution of biomes are wind and sunlight D. Each of the nine major biomes is restricted to just one or two continents

Fire is important in some biomes because it creates openings

prevailing winds

Global winds that blow constantly from the same direction. Results from combined effects of earths rotation and rising/falling of air masses

Second level of study in ecology: population

Group of individuals belong to one species that live in the same geographic area

While on a walk through a forest, you noticed birds in trees, earthworms in the soil, and fungi on plant litter on the forest floor. Based on your observations, you conclude that each of these organisms occupies a different

Habitat

Which statement about tropical forests is true?

Tropical forest structure consists of distinct layers that provide many different habitats.

Fourth level of study and ecology: Ecosystem

Includes both biotic and abiotic components

What is the role of environment in adaptive evolution?

Individuals whose phenotypes are best suited for environment (abiotic and biotic factors) Will pass their alleles (genes) to next generation. Individuals with other phenotypes may not

Wetlands

Intermediate between aquatic and terrestrial ecosystem. Provide water storage areas that reduce flooding and improve water quality by filtering pollutants

The transition from an aquatic biome to a terrestrial biomes is known as an ______

Intertidal zone (Ocean meets land)

What are two ways in which humans are affecting the global water cycle?

Irrigation and destruction of tropical rain forest

Which of the following is a freshwater biome? A. Continental shelf B. Lake C. Chaparral D. Estuary

Lake

Temperate zones

Latitudes between tropics and Arctic Circle Distinct seasonal variation occurs

A common misconception is that no life exists at the polls. Explain why this is not the case

Life exist. Poehler balers and other species of life

What three abiotic factors account for rarity of trees in arctic tundra?

Long and very cold winters, High winds, and permafrost

Biomes

Major type of ecological association that occupies broad geographic regions

Why does pollution affect other animals in addition to those that live permanent in Estuaries

Many species visit estuaries to feed or reproduce

How does the vegetation found in polar ice regions compare with tundra vegetation?

Neither biome is hospitable to plants because of the cold temperatures. However, tundra supports the growth of small shrubs, while polar ice vegetation is limited to mosses and lichens.

Distribution and abundance of photosynthetic organisms (plant, algae, photosynthetic bacteria) Depending on availability of an organic nutrients such as...

Nitrogen and phosphorus

______ and ______ Determine the amount of phytoplankton growth in lake/pond

Nitrogen and phosphorus

What two types of chemicals combine with water to make acid precipitation?

Nitrogen oxides and sulfur dioxides

Alpine tundra=

No permafrost

As global temperatures continue to rise, which biome is likely to replace arctic tundra?

Northern coniferous forest

In the state of Washington, the prevailing winds blow eastward off the oceans and up and over to mountain ranges. Biologists are searching for a rare fern plant that is known to prefer a cool and wet environment, but hasn't been seen in this state for many decades. Where would the biologist most likely find the plant?

On the west sides of the mountain ranges at higher elevations

Pelagic realm vs. benthic Realm

Pelagic: region of an ocean occupied by sea water Benthic: seafloor/bottom of freshwater: Lake Pond river or stream

Most organisms found in rivers and streams are supported by

Photo synthesis of Algae attached to rocks or organic material

Compare phytoplankton with zooplankton.

Phytoplankton produces food by photosynthesis Zooplankton must eat food

phytoplankton vs zooplankton

Phytoplankton: plants; provides energy and organic carbon for diverse community of animals Zooplankton: animals; drift in aquatic environments and abundant in pelagic photic zone

Habitat

Place where an organism lives

What is the main way that living organisms contribute to the water cycle?

Plants move water from the ground to the atmosphere via transpiration

Three processes that affect the water cycle include

Precipitation, evaporation, and transpiration

_____ published a book called silent spring in 1962 that called attention to the dangers of_____

Rachel Carson; DDT

Why do deserts tend to be found at 30° north and south of the equator

Regions were dry air descends

A terrestrial biome characterized by grasses, few trees, periodic fires, and a brief rainy season is a ____

Savanna Rainfall= 30- 50 cm annually Poor soils and lack of moisture prevent establishment of most trees

Why can't ecologists also solve environmental problems?

Science of ecology can inform the decision making process, but solving environment problems involves making ethical, economic, and political judgments that are outside the realm of science

Landscapes

Several ecosystems linked by exchanges of energy, matter, and organisms

Why does sewage cause algae blooms in Lakes?

Sewage add nutrients, such as nitrates and phosphate, stimulates growth of algae

How does the soil of a temperate broadleaf forest different from that of a tropical rain forest?

Soil in temperature broadleaf is *rich* in organic and in organic nutrients, while soil in tropical rainforest is *low* in nutrients

How and why the soil of the northern coniferous forest different from that of a broadleaf forest?

Soil is thinner, nutrient pour, and acidic because conifer needles decompose slowly in the low temps (n coniferous)

The two broad types of freshwater biomes include _______ and _____

Standing (lakes and ponds) Flowing water (rivers and streams)

Some animals feed directly on ______, others derive nutrition from bacteria living ______

Sulfur bacteria; inside their bodies

What determines whether a particular organism or community lives in a certain area

Temperature and precipitation

Terrestrial organisms vs. Aquatic organisms

Terrestrial- plentiful supply of O2 Aquatic- depend on O2 dissolved in water

What two factors primarily define terrestrial biomes, what factor primarily defines aquatic biomes?

Terrestrial: temperature and precipitation Aquatic: salinity (saltiness of water)

Tropics

The area between the Tropic of Cancer and the Tropic of Capricorn. Experience greatest annual input and least seasonal variation

Which of the following are winds that flow from east to west as a result of the faster spinning equator? A. Westerlies (west to east) B. Easterlies C. Trade winds D. None of the above

Trade winds (east to west)

What is one way that homeowners in chaparral areas can protect their neighborhoods from fire

They can keep the area clear of dead brush, which is highly flammable.

The seasons of the year result from ____ of the earth on its ____

Tilt; axis

Which of the following is a characteristic of a tropical rain forest? A. Found along the equator B. Forest structure consists of distinct layers C. Contains nutrient poor soil D. All of the above are characteristics of tropical rainforest

Tropical rainforests- High levels of precipitation and warm temperature year-round D. All of the above are characteristics of tropical rainforest

True or false: the grasses of savannas Survive frequent fliers because the shoots necessary for their growth are found underground

True

Earth receives _____ distribution of _____. Suns rays strikes ______ directly

Uneven; solar energy; equator

Most photosynthesis occurs near where?

Water's surface

DDT

an insecticide that is also toxic to animals and humans

polar ice

area of icy waters located at the north and south poles - includes regions of extremely cold temperature and low precipitation

Living things that live in the polar ice biome include

mosses, lichens, seals, and polar bears.

aquatic organisms

organisms that live in water Problem- solute concentration

ocean currents

river-like flow patterns in the oceans

what powers most ecosystems?

solar energy from sunlight, captured during process of photosynthesis

photic zone

sunlight region near the surface of water; region of aquatic ecosystem

All parts of the biosphere are linked by

the global water cycle and nutrient cycles

Which of the following links all parts of the biosphere together? A. The tides B. The doldrums C. Transpiration D. The water cycle

water cycle

Which environmental factor has a direct effect on an organisms rate of water loss by evaporation? A. Plant Pollination rates B. Insect biodiversity C. Wind D. Algae abundance

wind