Ecology Study Guide Answers 1 Complete the table

Ecology Study Guide Answers

1) Complete the table with the term or definition: Species A group of similar organisms that can breed and produce fertile offspring Population A group of the same species that lives in one area Community Group of different species that live together in one area. Ecosystem A community and the abiotic factors that affect them – includes biotic and abiotic factors. Biome Major regional or global community of organisms

2) Define biodiversity: Full range of variety and variability within and among living organisms. Includes ecosystem, species, and genetic. 3) What is meant by the phrase, “stable ecosystem”? • Population numbers change at a predictable rate • Supply of resources change at a predictable rate • Energy flows through the ecosystem at a constant rate

4) In the table below, identify what biogeochemical cycle the term is from: Term Cycle respiration carbon precipitation water condensation water combustion carbon photosynthesis carbon decomposition carbon transpiration water

5) In the table below identify the term as biotic or abiotic: Cow biotic Rock abiotic Sun abiotic Tree biotic Fire abiotic Robin biotic Soil abiotic

6) The hydrologic cycle is also known as the water cycle. 7) Draw the following growth curves: Logistic Exponential

8) What is a keystone species? A keystone species is a species that has an unusually large effect on its ecosystem. 9) How do you find population density? # of individuals = population density area (units 2)

10) In the table below identify the term as a densityindependent or density-dependent limiting factor: Hurricane Density-independent Flu Density-dependent Head lice Density-dependent Predators Density-dependent Fire Density-independent Tornadoes Density-independent Low food supply Density-dependent

11) What is carrying capacity? The maximum number of individuals of a particular species that the environment can support over a long period of time without harming the environment. 12) What type of growth curve shows carrying capacity? Logistic. 13) A lion is a predator that is nocturnal. This is a description of its niche. 14) A termite lives in a log. This is a description of its habitat. 15) What is a renewable resource and give an example? Renewable resource – a resource that can be used repeatedly because it can be replaced naturally. Ex: hydroelectric, solar, geothermal, biomass

16) Compare and contrast: Primary succession • Occurs more slowly • Establishment and development of an ecosystem • Area that was previously uninhabited • Requires pioneer species to facilitate soil formation Both • Later stages of both are similar • Recovery processes for damaged or destroyed ecosystems Secondary succession • Occurs faster • Reestablishment of a damaged ecosystem • Area where the soil was left intact • Regrowth, not from scratch

17. Sketch a diagram of the carbon cycle below. Include the terms: photosynthesis, respiration, decomposition, conversion, and combustion decomposition conversion

18) How are humans affecting the carbon cycle? By burning fossil fuels, we are adding carbon dioxide (CO 2) to the air. By farming animals, we are increasing methane (CH 4) in the air. Deforestation is removing plants that naturally take CO 2 out of our atmosphere. 19) Describe the greenhouse effect. I. solar energy penetrates Earth’s atmosphere and warms its surface II. some of the solar energy is radiated away from Earth III. some heat is absorbed by greenhouse gases and returned to Earth

20) What is climate change? List some possible solutions to climate change – A change in global or regional climate patterns. Apparent from the mid to late 1900 s onwards, attributed largely to the increased levels of atmospheric carbon dioxide produced by the use of fossil fuels. - Switch to renewable resources - Stop burning fossil fuels - Hydroponic agriculture, forest remediation 21) List TWO threats to biodiversity and possible solutions for those threats. • • • Habitat destruction – habitat restoration, sustainable forestry, hydroponics Invasive species – removal of invasive species, regulations at borders Pollution – laws and regulations against pollution, treatment facilities Human population growth – birth control access, education, family planning Over-harvesting – sustainable hunting, fishing, land use, recycling, reuse