ecology; what is it's purpose? - answer--study of how organisms interact with their
environment
-to understand the distribution and abundance of organisms
population - answer-group of individuals of the same species living in the same area, at
the same time
community - answer-consists of species that interact with one another within a particular
area
ecosystem - answer-consists of all organisms in a particular region, along with non-
living components
abiotic components - answer-air, water, and non-living parts of soil
range - answer-geographical distribution; abiotic & biotic determine range
biomes - answer-major groupings of plant and animal communities defined by a
dominant vegetation type
climate - answer-the prevailing, long-term weather conditions found in an area
tropical wet forests (rain forests) - answer-found in equator regions where temperatures
are high and annual temperature is very low; produce abundant plant growth, lead to
high above-ground biomass
boreal forest (taiga) - answer-forms on subarctic lands, dominated by highly cold-
tolerant conifers; productivity is low, above-ground biomass is high because slow-
growing tree species may be long-lived and become big
tundra - answer-found throughout the arctic regions; low productivity and low above-
ground biomass and its treeless
permafrost - answer-soils are in a permanently frozen state; limits both the release and
uptake of nutrients
, simulation studies - answer-are based on computer models of weather patterns in local
regions
observational studies - answer-based on long-term monitoring at fixed site
historical studies - answer-examine the relationship b/w CO2 levels, climate change, &
the distribution and abundance of organisms based on events millions of years ago
experiments - answer-designed to simulate changed climate conditions and to record
responses by the organisms present
behavior - answer-an action or response to a stimulus
behavioral biology - answer-study of how organisms respond to particular stimuli from
those environments
proximate causation (mechanistic) - answer-explains how actions occur
innate behaviors - answer-behavior that is inherited and shows little variation based on
learning or the individuals condition
cost benefit analysis - answer-animals appear to weigh the costs and benefits of
responding to a particular situation in various ways
foraging - answer-when animals seek food
piloting - answer-use of familiar landmarks
compass orientation - answer-movement oriented in a specific direction
true navigation - answer-ability to locate a specific place on earth's surface
circadian clock - answer-maintains a 24-hour rhythm of chemical activity-animals use
sun for direction
communication - answer-process in which a signal from one individual modifies the
behavior of another individual
altruism - answer-behavior that has a fitness cost to the individual exhibiting it and a
fitness benefit to the recipient, appears to contradict this pattern (queen bees giving
themselves up for the queen to reproduce)
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