5.2: biogeographic concepts Flashcards Preview

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Flashcards in 5.2: biogeographic concepts Deck (31)
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1
Q

describe migration.

A

seasonal movement of organisms from one place to another. usually for feeding or breeding.

2
Q

what does migration do to biodiversity?

A

changes it as animals leave or appear

3
Q

migration results from…

A

the push from the lack of resources or the pull from an abundance in another area

4
Q

what are the two different types or migration?

A
  • latitudinal migration: migration north or south of a position
  • altitudinal migration: migration from one elevation to another
5
Q

what is the concept of island biogeography?

A

larger islands tend to have more species than smaller ones.

6
Q

define to term “island”

A

any habitat surrounded by an inhabitable area

7
Q

define speciation.

A

creation of new species through evolution

8
Q

what are the 2 different types of evolution?

A
  • convergent: 2 or more unrelated species evolve in a similar way due to similar pressures
  • divergent: population or one species disperses and evolves differently than the rest
9
Q

what is dispersal?

A

movement of an organism away from where it originated. decreases competition and allows more resources to be available.

10
Q

what are the different types of dispersal?

A
  • intra-range dispersal: organisms disperses within its current geographic range
  • extra-range dispersal: organism disperses outside its current geographic range. (often lethal)
  • active dispersers: organisms that disperse under their own power
  • passive dispersers: organisms that disperse due to an external force
11
Q

in terms of dispersal, define/describe the following:

  • corridor
  • biogeographic filter
  • colonization
  • invasion
A
  • corridor: allow unrestricted movement between habitats
  • biogeographic filters: barriers that allow certain types of organisms to disperse across them and other not
    (climatic {deserts and icecaps} and biological {predation and competition)
  • colonization: successful establishment of a population in a new geographic region without human intervention
  • invasion: successful and unwanted establishment of a population in a new geographic region as a result of human activity
12
Q

what is an ecological disturbance?

A

sudden event that disrupts an ecosystem

13
Q

what is succession?

A

the series of changes in an ecosystem that follow a disturbance

14
Q

what are the two different types of succession?

A
  • primary: when life is completely removed form a landscape. soil and plants develop at the same time
  • secondary: life survives the disturbance and ecosystems rebuild. (more common)
15
Q

what is a sere?

A

stage of ecological development

16
Q

what is a niche?

A

resources and environmental conditions that a species requires from an area.

17
Q

what is a habitat

A

exists within a niche; physical environment in which a species lives

18
Q

what are limiting factors?

A

prevent organisms from reaching reproductive or geographic potential; controls species niche.

19
Q

what are the various physical limiting factors?

A
  • light: the amount of light that is needed by plants in order to grow
  • temperature: extremes in temperature affect biological processes
  • water: required by all organisms on earth
20
Q

what are various biological limiting factors?

A
  • predation: consumption of one organism by another
  • competition: interaction between organisms that require the same resources or anything that organisms needs to survive.
  • mutualism: relationship between 2 species that benefits both of them
21
Q

what are ecosystems?

A

unit that includes living and non-living components within an environment.

22
Q

what is biodiversity?

A

number of living species in a region

23
Q

what is the difference between biomass and phytomass?

A

total living organic matter produced in a given area versus the total amount of plant matter only.

24
Q

what is the latitudinal gradient in biodiversity?

A

biodiversity is greatest at equator and smallest at poles

25
Q

what are species?

A

groups or individuals that naturally interact and can breed and produce fertile offspring

26
Q

what are biogeographic regions?

A

areas on a global scale in which organisms are isolated to physical barriers.

27
Q

what are the 8 biogeographic regions?

A
  1. nearctic:
  2. neotrophic
  3. palearctic
  4. oceanian
  5. Ethiopian
  6. oriental
  7. australasian
  8. antarctic
28
Q

what is the trophic hierarchy and its various tiers?

A

movement of energy and matter through the biosphere.

  • primary producers: produce energy in the form of carbohydrates through photosynthesis.
  • consumer: cannot produce its own food, must consume others
  • decomposers: break organic material into simple compounds that re-enter the trophic system through plants.
29
Q

what is the food web?

A

movement of energy and matter through biosphere via ecological interconnection. only 10% of one levels energy will move onto the next level.

30
Q

what is the spatial hierarchy?

A

dividing biosphere based on spatial relationships.

individual>population>community&ecosystem>biome>biosphere

31
Q

what is a biome?

A

extensive expanses of vegetation types determined by climate.