Ecosystems and Ecology

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What is a community in ecology?

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A community refers to all the populations of different species living and interacting within a particular area.

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What is a community in ecology?

A community refers to all the populations of different species living and interacting within a particular area.

What is an ecosystem?

An ecosystem encompasses both the community of organisms and their physical environment, including abiotic factors like soil, water, and climate.

What initiates energy flow in ecosystems?

Energy flow begins with photosynthesis, where primary producers convert solar energy into chemical energy.

What is the basic equation for photosynthesis?

The equation is $6CO_2 + 6H_2O + \text{light energy} \rightarrow C_6H_{12}O_6 + 6O_2$.

What is cellular respiration?

Cellular respiration is the process where organisms break down glucose to release energy, represented by $C_6H_{12}O_6 + 6O_2 \rightarrow 6CO_2 + 6H_2O + \text{energy}$.

What are food chains?

Food chains represent a linear sequence of energy transfer from one organism to another.

What are trophic levels?

Trophic levels represent the feeding position of organisms in a food chain, including producers, consumers, and decomposers.

What is Gross Primary Productivity (GPP)?

GPP is the total rate of organic compound production by producers in an ecosystem.

What is Net Primary Productivity (NPP)?

NPP is calculated as $NPP = GPP - R_p$, where $R_p$ is the respiration of producers.

What is the carbon cycle?

The carbon cycle involves the exchange of carbon between the atmosphere, biosphere, hydrosphere, and geosphere.

What is nitrogen fixation?

Nitrogen fixation is the process of converting atmospheric nitrogen (N₂) into biologically available forms by bacteria and lightning.

What is carrying capacity?

Carrying capacity is the maximum population size that an environment can sustain indefinitely given the available resources.

What is primary succession?

Primary succession occurs in areas where no soil or previous ecosystem exists, starting with pioneer species.

What are r-selected species?

r-selected species produce many offspring, are short-lived, and mature rapidly.

What are K-selected species?

K-selected species produce few offspring, are long-lived, and mature slowly.

What is quadrat sampling?

Quadrat sampling involves using a square frame to sample a small area of an ecosystem.

What is Simpson's Diversity Index?

Simpson's Diversity Index is calculated as $D = 1 - \frac{\sum n(n-1)}{N(N-1)}$, measuring species diversity.

What drives the hydrological cycle?

Solar radiation drives the Earth's climate and the hydrological cycle.

What is biomass transfer efficiency?

Biomass transfer efficiency between trophic levels is typically around 10%.

What is ecological succession?

Ecological succession is the process of change in species composition of an ecological community over time.

What is the role of lichens in environmental monitoring?

Lichens are indicators of air pollution, reflecting the quality of the environment.

Ecosystems and Ecology

1 / 21

What is a community in ecology?

Flip

Spacebar

A community refers to all the populations of different species living and interacting within a particular area.

Flip

Spacebar

All flashcards

What is a community in ecology?

A community refers to all the populations of different species living and interacting within a particular area.

What is an ecosystem?

An ecosystem encompasses both the community of organisms and their physical environment, including abiotic factors like soil, water, and climate.

What initiates energy flow in ecosystems?

Energy flow begins with photosynthesis, where primary producers convert solar energy into chemical energy.

What is the basic equation for photosynthesis?

The equation is $6CO_2 + 6H_2O + \text{light energy} \rightarrow C_6H_{12}O_6 + 6O_2$.

What is cellular respiration?

Cellular respiration is the process where organisms break down glucose to release energy, represented by $C_6H_{12}O_6 + 6O_2 \rightarrow 6CO_2 + 6H_2O + \text{energy}$.

What are food chains?

Food chains represent a linear sequence of energy transfer from one organism to another.

What are trophic levels?

Trophic levels represent the feeding position of organisms in a food chain, including producers, consumers, and decomposers.

What is Gross Primary Productivity (GPP)?

GPP is the total rate of organic compound production by producers in an ecosystem.

What is Net Primary Productivity (NPP)?

NPP is calculated as $NPP = GPP - R_p$, where $R_p$ is the respiration of producers.

What is the carbon cycle?

The carbon cycle involves the exchange of carbon between the atmosphere, biosphere, hydrosphere, and geosphere.

What is nitrogen fixation?

Nitrogen fixation is the process of converting atmospheric nitrogen (N₂) into biologically available forms by bacteria and lightning.

What is carrying capacity?

Carrying capacity is the maximum population size that an environment can sustain indefinitely given the available resources.

What is primary succession?

Primary succession occurs in areas where no soil or previous ecosystem exists, starting with pioneer species.

What are r-selected species?

r-selected species produce many offspring, are short-lived, and mature rapidly.

What are K-selected species?

K-selected species produce few offspring, are long-lived, and mature slowly.

What is quadrat sampling?

Quadrat sampling involves using a square frame to sample a small area of an ecosystem.

What is Simpson's Diversity Index?

Simpson's Diversity Index is calculated as $D = 1 - \frac{\sum n(n-1)}{N(N-1)}$, measuring species diversity.

What drives the hydrological cycle?

Solar radiation drives the Earth's climate and the hydrological cycle.

What is biomass transfer efficiency?

Biomass transfer efficiency between trophic levels is typically around 10%.

What is ecological succession?

Ecological succession is the process of change in species composition of an ecological community over time.

What is the role of lichens in environmental monitoring?

Lichens are indicators of air pollution, reflecting the quality of the environment.

Environmental systems and societies (ESS)

Ecosystems and Ecology

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Environmental systems and societies (ESS)

Ecosystems and Ecology

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