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Introduction to Ecology quiz #13 Flashcards

Introduction to Ecology quiz #13
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  • What is the relationship between community structure and ecosystem function?
    Community structure influences processes like energy flow, nutrient cycling, and resilience.
  • How do ecologists use the concept of the environment to study ecosystem health?
    They assess how environmental factors affect species diversity, productivity, and stability.
  • What is the significance of the term 'habitat' for species survival?
    A suitable habitat provides the resources and conditions necessary for a species to survive and reproduce.
  • How do ecologists study the effects of environmental variability on populations?
    They monitor population responses to changes in environmental conditions over time.
  • What is the importance of studying ecological interactions for predicting species responses to change?
    It helps forecast how species will adapt or decline in response to environmental shifts.
  • How do ecologists define the term 'abiotic factor'?
    An abiotic factor is a nonliving component of the environment that affects living organisms.
  • What is the relationship between energy flow and nutrient cycling in maintaining ecosystem health?
    Both processes are essential for supporting life and sustaining ecosystem productivity.
  • How do ecologists use the concept of the niche to study species interactions?
    They analyze how different species' niches overlap or differ, affecting competition and coexistence.
  • What is the significance of studying ecological processes for sustainable resource management?
    It ensures that resource use does not compromise ecosystem health and future availability.
  • How do ecologists study the effects of biotic factors on reproductive success?
    They observe how interactions like competition and predation influence reproduction rates.
  • What is the importance of studying ecosystem connectivity for biodiversity conservation?
    Connectivity allows species movement and gene flow, supporting healthy populations and ecosystems.
  • How do ecologists define the term 'community structure'?
    Community structure refers to the composition and relative abundance of different species in a community.
  • What is the relationship between abiotic stress and species distribution?
    Abiotic stress limits where species can survive, influencing their geographic distribution.
  • How do ecologists use the concept of the environment to study ecosystem resilience?
    They assess how environmental factors affect an ecosystem's ability to recover from disturbances.
  • What is the significance of the term 'niche' for understanding adaptation?
    A niche reflects the adaptations that allow a species to survive and function in its environment.
  • How do ecologists study the impact of environmental gradients on community composition?
    They examine how species presence and abundance change along gradients of abiotic factors.
  • What is the importance of studying ecological processes for climate change mitigation?
    It helps identify strategies to maintain ecosystem functions that regulate climate.
  • How do ecologists define the term 'ecosystem function'?
    Ecosystem function refers to the biological, geochemical, and physical processes that sustain ecosystems.
  • What is the relationship between biodiversity and ecosystem resilience?
    Higher biodiversity increases ecosystem resilience to environmental changes and disturbances.
  • How do ecologists use the concept of the environment to study species invasions?
    They analyze how environmental conditions enable or limit the success of invasive species.
  • What is the significance of studying ecological interactions for ecosystem management?
    It informs management practices that maintain ecosystem health and services.
  • How do ecologists study the effects of abiotic factors on community diversity?
    They compare species diversity across areas with different abiotic conditions.
  • What is the importance of studying ecological roles for maintaining ecosystem services?
    Ecological roles ensure the delivery of services like pollination, nutrient cycling, and water purification.
  • How do ecologists define the term 'biotic interaction'?
    A biotic interaction is any relationship between living organisms, such as predation, competition, or mutualism.
  • What is the relationship between ecosystem structure and function?
    Ecosystem structure (species composition) influences function (processes like energy flow and nutrient cycling).
  • How do ecologists use the concept of the niche to study community assembly?
    They examine how species with different niches assemble into stable communities.
  • What is the significance of studying ecological processes for ecosystem restoration?
    It guides the reestablishment of natural processes and functions in degraded ecosystems.
  • How do ecologists study the impact of environmental change on ecosystem services?
    They assess how changes affect the ability of ecosystems to provide services like food, water, and climate regulation.
  • What is the importance of studying ecological interactions for predicting ecosystem responses to disturbance?
    It helps anticipate how ecosystems will change and recover after disturbances.
  • How do ecologists define the term 'ecosystem service'?
    Ecosystem services are benefits that humans obtain from ecosystems, such as clean water, food, and climate regulation.
  • What is the relationship between habitat fragmentation and gene flow?
    Habitat fragmentation can reduce gene flow by isolating populations, leading to decreased genetic diversity.
  • How do ecologists use the concept of the environment to study population viability?
    They analyze how environmental factors affect population growth, survival, and long-term persistence.
  • What is the significance of the term 'biotic community' in ecology?
    A biotic community is all the interacting living organisms in a specific area.
  • How do ecologists study the effects of abiotic factors on reproductive timing?
    They observe how changes in temperature, light, or moisture affect breeding seasons.
  • What is the importance of studying ecological processes for sustainable development?
    It ensures that development activities do not compromise ecosystem health and services.
  • How do ecologists define the term 'trophic level'?
    A trophic level is a position in a food web, representing a step in the flow of energy from producers to consumers.
  • What is the relationship between ecosystem productivity and biodiversity?
    Ecosystems with higher productivity often support greater biodiversity.
  • How do ecologists use the concept of the niche to study species coexistence?
    They analyze how differences in resource use allow multiple species to live together.
  • What is the significance of studying ecological interactions for understanding food webs?
    It reveals how species are connected and how energy and nutrients move through ecosystems.
  • How do ecologists study the impact of abiotic factors on species physiology?
    They measure physiological responses to changes in temperature, moisture, or other abiotic variables.