All Ecology Topics

characteristics of life: Reproduction, Cells, Homeostasis, Respond to stimuli, Growth, Development

cell, tissue, organ, organ system, organism

Balance in Ecosystem

the living or once living organisms in the environment

the nonliving parts of the environment

individuals with common characteristics; able to reproduce

all members of a species interacting in an area

all the populations within a system

Biological community and all its abiotic factors

role of an organism ex: pollination, decomposition

ecological systems (such as GA, SC, NC, VA forests) consisting of similar organisms, climate, and soils

An interaction between organisms in which both require a resource that is in limited supply, and must fight for it

No 2 species can occupy the same niche (role) in an ecosystems, so only 1 will survive

A way to get around the competitive exclusion principle, it is evolved to use resources each in their own way to keep balance

Interdependent relationship between 2 organisms

one organism benefits, the other is harmed (flea on dog)

both organisms benefit

one organism benefits, the other is not harmed (barnacles on whale)

one organisms hunts another as a food source

a group of interconnected food chains

graph showing energy flow; most energy is at the producer level or trophic level 1.

1st Step in Nitrogen Cycle, bacteria changing N2 gas to ammonia

Ammonium changes to nitrates, so plants can absorb them

Plants using roots to absorb nitrates to use for amino acids, nucleic acids & chlorophyll

Decomposers (fungi, bacteria) turning nitrogen back to ammonium for cycle to restart after animal/plant dies

Extra nitrates found in soil (NO3) turns back into N2 gas

No life

Phosphorus cycle

Phosphorus cycle

Nitrogen

CO₂ , O₃ , CH₄ , SO₂ , CFCs , H₂O (water) vapor

increased survival, foraging, and nurturement of young

When organisms risk their life to protect others in the group

Animals that are the first to inhabit an area of land

pioneer species

soil

Mid successional plants

lichens 🡪 grasses 🡪 shrubs 🡪 trees

Gradual change in community structure resulting from new environmental conditions (disturbance)

A glacier receding, soil erosion, lava flow, etc

A forest fire, flood, polluted streams, etc

species moving away and their population increasing or declining

Secondary succession, because soil is already present

The final stable state of succession

will grow at a constant rate

Unlimited resources

The maximum population of organisms an ecosystem can support

Limited resources

more algae growth

Bacteria decompose the dead algae using the oxygen in the water. The decrease in oxygen causes a decline in the biodiversity in the aquatic ecosystem.

Farms, city streets, pet waste, lawn fertilizer, faulty septic systems, and sewage treatment plan

Bad water odor, unsafe water conditions, decline in fishing, and it is expensive to clean up contaminated areas

temperatures increase

Glacier recession, rising sea levels, increase in spread of disease

Marine organisms growing smaller in size

Disruption in the aquatic food web due to species dying off

Ocean water becoming more acidic

Food shortenings for humans increase along coastal areas

A limiting factor that does depends on the density (amount) of the population

Parasites, diseases, predation, and competition

A limiting factor that does not depend on the density (amount) of the population

Natural disasters (tornado or hurricane), weather (thunderstorm)

A detritivore is an organism that feeds on dead organic matter, such as decaying plants and animals.

As resources become less available, the growth of a population

The variety of organisms in an ecosystem, the number of different species living in a specific area

stabilize the ecosystem

A single species that is vital to ecosystem stability

Otters, American alligators, sharks, and more

Non-native species that spread rapidly across large areas, and disrupt ecosystems

They outcompete native species, have a high reproductive rate, and have no predators

Habitat loss, Invasive Species, Pollution, (human) Population, Overharvesting

Resources with a fixed amount (finite)

Gold, soil, sand, phosphate, fossil fuels, uranium

They are easy access and cheap

1. There is a limited supply

2. It releases air pollutants

3. Connected to global warming and climate change

4. Degrades land from extraction of resource

Resources that can replenish themselves over time

Wind, sunlight, plants, water

1. Infinite

2. Reliable

3. Low to no air pollution

4. Less reliance on foreign sources

It is expensive (costly) and has geographic limitations (unless you are near a body of water, you cannot use hydroelectric energy, etc.)

Oceans become more acidic and start harming marine organisms by dissolving their shells, slowing their digestion, making them smaller/weaker, etc.

Aquatic animals with shells, crabs for example

the increase of global surface temperatures

Long term effects of global warming

Any chemical, gas, microorganism, or solid material (plastic) found in air and water that harms other organisms

Pollutants in the air (SO₂ and NOx) from burning fossil fuels and water vapor = acid rain,

nitrates + sulfuric dioxide = acid rain

the pH of the soil and water, which causes a loss in biodiversity

A single, identifiable discharge point/origin

No single, identifiable discharge point/origin, is very costly to clean up, specifically aquatic environments

Sediments from construction or agriculture

Run-off of oil and plastic

Lowest atmosphere level, where we live

Contains ozone O₃ that filters out harmful UV from entering troposphere, must protect

Thinning of ozone layer as result of the release of manmade chemicals called CFCs

Stratosphere

When the concentration of nutrients in any body of

water keeps increasing

dead zones

Nutrient Pollution

Driving your car, using a lawn mower, using fertilizer, using a gas stove, etc

CFCs are the primary cause

Troposphere

1. Rising sea levels

2. Loss of biodiversity

3. Unpredictable weather events (floods & storms)

4. Increase in diseases

5. Global food and water shortages

eating plants

organisms release CO₂ into atmosphere by breathing