Ecology and Biomes
What is known as the scientific study between organisms and their interactions with the
environment around them? Ecology
Name the six levels of ecological research. Organismal Ecology, Population Ecology,
Community Ecology, Ecosystem Ecology, Landscape Ecology, Global Ecology
Can ecological changes lead to evolutionary changes? Yes
The goal of ecology is to protect all aspects of nature. True/False
Give an example of a biotic factor and an abiotic facter. Biotic is living, Abiotic is nonliving
Movement away from high population centers is known as dispersal.
What is climate? What is the difference between a macroclimate and microclimate?
Climate- the prevailing weather pattern in an area; Macroclimate are climate patterns of a
large scale (Midwest, Ames, China, etc) Microclimate is the pattern in an organism’s
community (Inside a tree, a pond, under a rock)
What causes the seasonal variations on Earth? The planet’s tilt
The tropics experience sunlight more directly than other areas of the planet, so they end up
getting more heat and light. True/False
A equinox occurs when the sun is directly above the equator, while the solstices occur when the
Earth’s tilt is the greatest.
Describe the rain shadow effect.
Warm, moist air approaches a mountain and it rises. The air then cools and releases its
moisture. As the air moves to the other side, it absorbs the surrounding moisture.
A major terrestrial or aquatic life zone is known as a biome.
Describe the levels of stratification in a lake.
Littoral zone- close to shore, allows for rooted plants; Limnetic zone- open water that is too
deep for rooted plants but supports phytoplankton; Photic zone- area with enough light for
photosynthesis; Apotic zone- lacks enough light for photosynthesis; Benthic zone- bottom
made of a mix of sand and sediment
What is the collective name of organisms that live in the benthic zone and eat detritus? benthos
Oligotrophic lakes are nutrient rich but oxygen poor. True/False
A thermocline occurs when there is a dramatic temperature change in a narrow layer of a body
of water.
Describe the levels of stratification in the ocean.
Photic zone- enough light for photosynthesis; Aphotic- not enough light; Intertidal- land
that is periodically submerged by tides, closest to or is shore; Neritic- farther from shore,
continental shelf; Oceanic- “open” ocean, farthest from shore; Pelagic- open water;
Benthic- bottom of the ocean above 2000m; Abyssal- bottom below 2000m
Name the aquatic and terrestrial biomes discussed in class.
Aquatic- Lake, wetland, estuary, stream/river, coral reef, benthos, intertidal zone, pelagic
zone
Terrestrial- Tropical forest, desert, savanna, chaparral, temperate grassland, temperate
broadleaf forest, tundra, taiga
Oxification is when nutrient rich bottom water is exchanged with the oxygen rich top water in a
lake. True/False
What is the area of gradual change between biomes called? Ecotone
A plot of temperature and precipitation over a region is called a climograph.
Name the layer of permanently frozen soil in the tundra. Permafrost
The highest layer in a forest is called the top. True/False