Ecology Quiz & Flashcards

The Sun provides the energy captured by photosynthetic organisms, which is the foundation of most ecosystems.

Nitrogen fixation is the process where nitrogen gas is converted into ammonia, making it accessible to plants.

Tropical rainforests have the highest biodiversity due to their warm climate and abundant rainfall.

Disease is density-dependent because its impact increases with higher population density.

A keystone species affects many other organisms in an ecosystem and helps maintain structure.

Producers capture energy from the Sun, and each subsequent level has less energy due to energy loss.

Photosynthesis converts carbon dioxide and water into glucose, a form of stored energy.

The carbon cycle controls the levels of carbon dioxide, a major greenhouse gas, affecting climate.

Habitat fragmentation often leads to decreased biodiversity due to the isolation of species.

Temperature is an abiotic factor, while the others are living components of an ecosystem.

Decomposition is the breakdown of dead matter, recycling nutrients into the ecosystem.

Wind is the primary force that drives ocean surface currents, affecting climate and marine life.

In commensalism, one organism benefits while the other is neither harmed nor helped.

Invasive species are non-native and can disrupt local ecosystems, often outcompeting native species.

Evaporation is a stage in the hydrological cycle where water changes from liquid to vapor.

Greenhouse gases trap heat in the atmosphere, leading to the greenhouse effect and global warming.

An increased food supply can support a larger population, raising the carrying capacity.

Natural selection is the process where organisms better adapted to their environment tend to survive and reproduce.

Solar energy is renewable because it is naturally replenished and inexhaustible on a human time scale.

Decomposers break down organic matter, releasing nitrogen back into the soil for use by plants.

The water cycle involves the movement of water through the atmosphere, lithosphere, and biosphere.

Overgrazing by livestock removes vegetation, leading to soil erosion and desertification.

A climax community is stable and self-perpetuating, having reached an equilibrium state.

Secondary succession occurs in areas where a community has been disturbed but soil remains, like after a fire.

A food web illustrates the complex feeding relationships and energy flow between organisms in an ecosystem.

Ecosystems are dynamic and can experience imbalances due to natural or human-induced changes.

Overfishing depletes fish populations, affecting the entire marine food web and ecosystem health.

Biodiversity refers to the variety and variability of life forms within a given ecosystem, habitat, or planet.

Decomposition breaks down dead organisms, releasing nutrients back into the ecosystem for reuse.

Competitive exclusion occurs when two species compete for the same resources, leading to the dominance of one.

Sunlight is an abiotic factor, a non-living component that influences the living organisms in an ecosystem.

Grasshoppers feed on producers like grass, making them primary consumers in the ecosystem.

Ecological succession leads to the development of a stable ecosystem, restoring equilibrium after disturbances.

Eutrophication often leads to murky waters due to excessive algae growth, not improved clarity.

Immigration refers to organisms moving into a population, adding to its size and genetic diversity.

Latitude affects the amount of solar energy a region receives, influencing its climate.

Deforestation results in habitat loss, reducing biodiversity and affecting ecosystem services.

Wind energy is renewable as it is inexhaustible and does not deplete natural resources.

Acid rain is caused by sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides released into the atmosphere, forming acids.

A hurricane is density-independent because it affects populations regardless of their size.

Pioneer species are first to colonize bare or disturbed areas, initiating ecological succession.

The burning of fossil fuels for energy releases large amounts of carbon dioxide, a greenhouse gas.

Greenhouse gases trap heat in the atmosphere, directly contributing to global warming.

Climate change leads to melting ice caps, affecting sea levels and habitats for polar species.

Condensation is the process where water vapor cools and changes into liquid water droplets.

Overfishing reduces fish populations, disrupting marine food webs and ecosystem stability.

Genetic diversity refers to the total number of genetic characteristics in the genetic makeup of a species.

Non-native species can outcompete native species, leading to ecosystem imbalance and loss of biodiversity.

Primary succession occurs in lifeless areas where soil has not yet formed, like after a glacier retreats.

Urban development leads to the destruction and fragmentation of natural habitats, impacting biodiversity.

Producers, such as plants, convert solar energy into chemical energy through photosynthesis, forming the base of the food chain.