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)
The benefits of buying summaries with Stuvia:
Guaranteed quality through customer reviews
Stuvia customers have reviewed more than 700,000 summaries. This how you know that you are buying the best documents.
Quick and easy check-out
You can quickly pay through credit card or Stuvia-credit for the summaries. There is no membership needed.
Focus on what matters
Your fellow students write the study notes themselves, which is why the documents are always reliable and up-to-date. This ensures you quickly get to the core!
Frequently asked questions
What do I get when I buy this document?
You get a PDF, available immediately after your purchase. The purchased document is accessible anytime, anywhere and indefinitely through your profile.
Satisfaction guarantee: how does it work?
Our satisfaction guarantee ensures that you always find a study document that suits you well. You fill out a form, and our customer service team takes care of the rest.
Who am I buying these notes from?
Stuvia is a marketplace, so you are not buying this document from us, but from seller Prose1. Stuvia facilitates payment to the seller.
Will I be stuck with a subscription?
No, you only buy these notes for $12.49. You're not tied to anything after your purchase.