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Flashcards

More ecosystem terminology

keefb56 Environmental Science Bachelors Degree Inglês 151 flashcards

Flashcards do conjunto (151)

  1. 1fidelityAccuracy, or exactness with which something is reproduced; how closely a model corresponds to the system it represents. (CB p.27)
  2. 2finite rate of population changeMeasures of the change in population size from one time point to the next. The values of the rates of change are determined by the values of fecundity and survival (in closed populations). (CB p.39)
  3. 3fire climaxSpecies and whole communities that cannot persist unless fires occur with a certain minimum frequency. (CB p.143)
  4. 4fitnessThe relative ability of an organism to survive and leave offspring that themselves survive and leave offspring. Sometimes only one or more component of fitness can be measured. (Block 1 Part 2.2 and CB p.6)
  5. 5flowTransfer of energy or material from one form to another, and one place to another. (CB p.25)
  6. 6fluxA flow or transfer of material or energy between different system components. (CB p.25)
  7. 7foliar projective cover (FPC)The proportion of ground area totally covered by leaves. (Block 4 Part 2.4)
  8. 8forbsBroad-leaved herbs living in grasslands. (CB p.116)
  9. 9forcing factorsExternal drivers from outside a system that have an effect on the system. (CB p.30)
  10. 10forest–tundra zoneA zone comprising scattered areas of trees or krummholz extending for 100–400 km from closed conifer forest to the treeline bordering treeless tundra. (CB p.152)
  11. 11functionA variable quantity that depends on another variable; a consequence. (CB p.25)
  12. 12functional groupIn ecology, functional groups are collections of organisms based on morphological, physiological, behavioral, biochemical, or environmental responses or on trophic criteria, i.e. they are linked by the similar role they play within an ecosystem. (Block 3 Part 4.3)
  13. 13Gaia conceptThe hypothesis that considers the biotic and abiotic components of the Earth to be part of a self-regulating system producing a situation that is hospitable to life. Originated by James Lovelock (utilising the name of a Greek goddess), the concept has been widely criticised, for example as being teleological, that is purposeful, involving a predetermined planned purpose, or merely metaphorical, and with many doubting that such self-regulating mechanisms exist. (CB p.20)
  14. 14gap modelA model that represents all the individual plants in an area the size of a single large individual tree. (CB p.211)
  15. 15garrigueA type of scrubland composed of low, soft-leaved shrubs (e.g. Cistus spp.) found on dry limestone soils around the Mediterranean Basin. (CB p.138)
  16. 16general circulation model (GCM)A model of large-scale atmosphere or ocean flow, often assumed to be a complex, high-resolution model. (Block 4 Part 3.4)
  17. 17general flux equationA relationship between driving force and pathway conductance that can be applied to the calculation of rate of movement in diverse situations. Well known examples include Ohm’s law for the flow of electrons through a wire and Darcy’s law for the flow of water through an aquifer. (CB p.75)
  18. 18gleyedA soil or soil layer that is waterlogged, leading to anoxic conditions where iron compounds become reduced giving a grey–blue colour. (CB p.197)
  19. 19graminoidA term meaning “grass-like”, which is applied to a range of plant families including grasses, sedges and rushes. (CB p.116)
  20. 20grazing lawnsLarge areas in prairie (>400 m2) favoured by bison, with shorter and more floristically diverse vegetation. (CB p.134)
  21. 21grazing patchesSmall areas in prairie (20 – 50 m2) favoured by bison, having shorter and more floristically diverse vegetation. (CB p.134)
  22. 22handling timeHow long it takes a consumer to harvest, process, eat and possibly digest a food item. (Block 3 Part 1.4 Stability and exploitation of food resources)
  23. 23hazardA substance, environmental agent or condition with a potential to cause harm. (PTG Section 3)
  24. 24heterocystsSpecialized cells in which anaerobic conditions are maintained and where nitrogen fixation occurs in organisms such as cyanobacteria. (CB p.112)
  25. 25holisticAn approach to studying systems or phenomena that states that the system is more than merely the sum of its parts or components and that the system exhibits properties that cannot be reduced to those of its components. From the Greek holos ‘whole’. (CB p.17)
  26. 26homeostaticThe maintenance of a stable equilibrium through feedback processes. (CB p.29)
  27. 27hostA species that provides habitat and or resources for a second species. (CB p.166)
  28. 28hydraulic liftThe vertical movement of water within a soil profile driven by gradients in soil water potential and facilitated by plant roots. (CB p.82)
  29. 29hypertrophicIndicates a water body with very high inputs of nutrients. (The term hypereutrophic is sometimes used in the literature.) (Block 3 Part 1.2)
  30. 30hysteresisIn an ecological context, this term implies a delayed response to a change in environment. It comes from physics, in which it means a lagging or retardation of the effect, when the forces acting upon a body are changed. (Block 3 Part 1.3)
  31. 31immobilisedMade (relatively) unavailable to biological activity. (CB p.92 and p.106)
  32. 32independent (variable)–Refers to a variable that is manipulated in an experiment and or varies naturally but does not change with other variables in the study. One or more independent variables can be used in a regression analysis. (Block 2 Part 2.1)
  33. 33individual-based modelA type of DGVM in which the basic variables are representative individual plants from each functional type. (CB p.211, Block 4 Part 2.4)
  34. 34infiltrationThe process by which surface water enters soil or rock. (Block 2 Part 1.5)
  35. 35insolationIncoming solar radiation that reaches the Earth and its atmosphere. (CB p.222)
  36. 36integration (for a climate model)Synonymous with run or simulation, the process of producing a model prediction. (Block 4 Part 3.4)
  37. 37intermediate disturbance hypothesisThe idea that certain minimum levels of disturbance are necessary to prevent a habitat being dominated by one or a few long-lived species and to permit high species richness to occur. (Block 3 Part 4.3)
  38. 38invasive speciesIntroduced species which adversely affect the habitats they invade economically, environmentally or ecologically. (CB p.161)
  39. 39island theory of species diversityAn idea that predicts a positive correlation between patch area and species richness, devised by MacArthur and Wilson in the 1960s. (Block 3 Part 4.3)
  40. 40latent heat (of vaporisation)The energy required to evaporate a given volume of water at a given temperature. (CB p.69)
  41. 41leaf-area index (LAI)The ratio of total leaf area to ground area; an important quantity for characterising functional behaviour. (Block 4 Part 2.4)
  42. 42leaky (nutrient cycleAn inefficient nutrient cycle, in which nutrients are lost from the ecosystem. (CB p.106)
  43. 43leghaemoglobinThe pigment produced by Rhizobial cells in root nodules to maintain anaerobic conditions around the nitrogenase enzymes. (CB p.112)
  44. 44Liebig’s law of the minimumStates that the yield of plants can be limited by the nutrient that is present in the environment in the least quantity relative to plant demands for growth. (Block 3 Part 1.2 ITQ1.2)
  45. 45lignotubersLarge woody swellings sprouting from buds on roots or at the stem bases of shrubs. (CB p.148)
  46. 46lottery modelAn idea that a group of species coexisting in a patch of habitat is determined primarily by their chance arrival rather than by their relative competitive abilities. (Block 3 Part 4.3)
  47. 47macrophytesLarge, multicellular plants that are differentiated into organs and tissues. (Block 3 Part 1.2)
  48. 48mantleThe fungal sheath on the outside of plant roots in ectomycorrhizas. (Block 2 Part 4.3 ITQ 4.1)
  49. 49marcescenceCondition where parts of a plant, such as leaves, wither but do not fall off (adjective: marcescent). (PTG Section 2.1)
  50. 50mechanisticRelating to mechanisms or theories. (Block 4 Part 2.4)
  51. 51mesotrophicIndicating a water body with intermediate inputs of nutrients. (Block 3 Part 1.2)
  52. 52meta-analysisA technique for combining the results of several independent, but similar, studies in order to examine the overall picture. (PTG Section 2.1)
  53. 53metapopulation theoryAn idea that emphasises the importance of connectivity between these seemingly isolated populations and the mobility of the species in determining the distribution, abundance and resilience of populations of organisms. (Block 3 Part 4.3)
  54. 54metapopulationA group of spatially separated populations of the same species that interact at some level. (Block 3 Part 4.3 Metapopulation theory)
  55. 55methanogensA specialist group of archaea microorganisms that produce methane (CH4) in the strict absence of oxygen. (CB p.101)
  56. 56methanotrophsSpecialist bacteria that derive energy from the consumption of methane. (CB p.102)
  57. 57methanotrophyThe process of methane consumption by methanotrophs. (CB p.102)
  58. 58mineral nutrientsThe elements that make up the biomass of organisms, excluding C, H and O. Macronutrients are nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), potassium (K), calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), and sulfur (S). The micronutrients are iron (Fe), manganese (Mn), zinc (Zn), boron (B), copper (Cu), chloride (Cl), molybdenum (Mo), nickel (Ni), and cobalt (Co). (CB p.105)
  59. 59mineralisedWith reference to carbon and nutrients, the mobile forms (e.g. CO2 and dissolved nutrient ions) which have been released from organic matter. (CB p.92 and p.106)
  60. 60modelled variablesThe unknown quantities that a model is designed to predict, such as temperature and soil carbon content. (CB p.202)
  61. 61moisture deficitWhen the vertical water balance (P-E) is negative, water may be drawn from stores, such as the soil; the reduction in stored water is referred to as a deficit. Sometimes “water deficit” is used for the same concept. (Block 2 Part 1.2 Water budget exercise)
  62. 62moisture flux convergenceThe source of moisture resulting from transport into a region by the wind. (Block 4 Part 2.5)
  63. 63mosaic concept(Duelli, 1997) An idea that species diversity in complex landscapes increases with both number of habitat types and habitat heterogeneity, i.e. the number of habitat patches per unit area. (Block 3 Part 4.3)
  64. 64mucigelFormed in rhizosphere when root exudates become mixed with microbes and mineral particles. (CB p.118)
  65. 65mucilagePlant root exudates from a zone just behind the root tip; solutes include exoenzymes, polysaccharides and low molecular weight components e.g organic acids, sugars, phenolics and amino acids. (CB p.118)
  66. 66multiple regressionRegression with two or more independent variables. (Block 3 Part 2.1)
  67. 67mycobiontA fungal partner of mycorrhizal association. (Block 2 Part 4.4)
  68. 68mycorrhizaA symbiotic (occasionally weakly pathogenic) association between a fungus and the roots of a plant. (CB p.93)
  69. 69negative feedbackWhen new data produce a result in the opposite direction to previous results, they are negative feedback – their effects stabilise the system. Negative feedback helps to maintain stability in a system in spite of external changes. (Block 3 Part 1.3 Positive and negative feedbacks)
  70. 70net ecosystem productionThe difference between total energy inputs and total outputs is the amount of energy stored in an ecosystem in the form of dead organic matter in soil or sediments, or in living organisms. (CB p.48)
  71. 71net primary productionThe amount of carbon fixed by photosynthesis minus the amount respired by the plant. (CB p.7)
  72. 72nitrificationThe process in which ammonia or ammonium compounds are oxidized to nitrite and nitrate, yielding energy for decomposer organisms. Two groups of microorganisms are involved in nitrification. Nitrosomonas oxidizes ammonia to nitrite and water. Subsequently, Nitrobacter oxidizes the nitrite ions to nitrate. (CB p.110)
  73. 73nitrogen fixationThe conversion of gaseous nitrogen into ammonia or ammonium compounds, either through abiotic means, for example lightning, or biotic means, for example symbiotic and free-living bacteria. (CB p.109)
  74. 74nitrogenaseEnzymes involved in reactions leading to formation of ammonium compounds from dinitrogen gas, as occurs in nitrogen fixation. (CB p.110)
  75. 75non-equilibrium processA mechanism of population regulation in which population size is determined by stochastic events and not availability of resources, competition or predation (c.f. equilibrium process). (Block 3 Part 4.3)
  76. 76numerical instabilityUnrealistic, unstable behaviour in a computer model. (Block 4 Part 3.4)
  77. 77nutrient limitationConcept following from Liebig’s law of the minimum, the main implications of which are that one key nutrient should be the primary limiting factor for plant growth in a given ecosystem, the growth of plants in a given ecosystem should be proportional to the rate of supply of this nutrient, and that the control of eutrophication should be accomplished by restricting the loading of this key nutrient to the ecosystem. (Block 3 Part 1.2)
  78. 78ocean–atmosphere general circulation models (OAGCMs)See general circulation model. (Block 4 Part 1.4)
  79. 79oligotrophicIndicates a water body with low nutrient inputs. (Block 3 Part 1.2)
  80. 80open systemsSystems that are open to exchanges of materials and or energy exchanges with other systems. (CB p.188)
  81. 81parameterA variable which is held constant in a given application or run of a model because it is assumed to remain constant, e.g. the rate of atmospheric mixing or the force of gravity. (CB p.26 and p.205)
  82. 82parameterisationRepresenting or characterising something in terms of a parameter or parameters. A parametric representation is usually far simpler than the real process it represents. (CB p.204)
  83. 83parametric errorModel error resulting from uncertainty regarding the correct values of model parameters. (CB p.205)
  84. 84parasitesOrganisms that, for all or part of their lives, derive nutrition from an organism of another species (called a host), which is harmed in some way by the association. (CB p.166)
  85. 85parasitoidInsect whose larvae develop in or on the bodies of other insects. In this respect, they are like parasites, but because they invariably kill their hosts their effect on the host is that of a predator. (CB p.44)
  86. 86partial differential equationAn equation that involves gradients in more than one dimension, e.g. where the rate of change of a quantity depends on its spatial gradients. (Block 4 Part 2.5)
  87. 87patch dynamics theory (Tilman, 1982)Focuses on changes in the state of patches themselves. Patches are defined in terms of whether they are suitable or unsuitable for colonisation. (Block 3 Part 4.3)
  88. 88patch dynamicsA conceptual approach to ecosystem and habitat analysis that emphasises dynamics of heterogeneity within a system. Diverse patches of habitat created by natural disturbance regimes are seen as critical to maintenance of diversity. (Block 3 Part 4.3)
  89. 89pathogensMicroorganisms (viruses, bacteria, fungi and protoctists) that cause disease. (CB p.166)
  90. 90perennialA plant that flowers more than once or lives for more than one year before flowering. (Block 3 Part 4.3 The patch dynamics model)
  91. 91persistent organic pollutants (POPs)Organic compounds that are resistant to breakdown and, as a result, persist in the environment; they bioaccumulate in animal tissues and biomagnify in food chains. (CB p.194)
  92. 92perturbationUsed in this course as a general term for a temporary and possibly unpredictable change in the conditions or state of one or more environmental variables. (CB p.37)
  93. 93phenologyThe study of the timing of seasonal biological events in relation to climate. (CB p.210)
  94. 94phenomenologicalDealing with phenomena rather than their explanation or cause. (Block 4 Part 2.4)
  95. 95photobiontPlant partner of mycorrhizal association. (Block 2 Part 4.4)
  96. 96phototrophAn organism that uses energy from light to manufacture organic compounds by photosynthesis. (CB p.112)
  97. 97phytophagousSucking and leaf-eating species, e.g. aphids, sap-sucking bugs and larval butterflies and moths. (Block 3 Part 4.3 Table 4.3)
  98. 98phytoplanktonThe photosynthetic component of the plankton. (Block 3 Part 1.2)
  99. 99phytotoxicDamaging or harmful to plants. (CB p.221)
  100. 100pioneer speciesSpecies that become established in the first stage of the successional sequence either colonising areas of bare ground in primary succession or, in secondary succession, colonising an area after a disturbance. (CB p.35)
  101. 101piscivorousPredators that feed primarily on fish, e.g. adult E. lucius. (Block 3 Part 1.3)
  102. 102planktonAll of the smaller organisms (bacteria, algae and tiny animals) that live, unattached, within the water column but cannot swim against the current; they drift passively and have no or only weak swimming ability which, at most, allows them to move up and down in the water column. (Block 3 Part 1.2)
  103. 103plant functional type (PFT)A grouping of plant species of similar function, e.g. tropical broadleaved evergreens. (CB p.209, Block 4 Part 2.4)
  104. 104pollinophagousOrganisms that eat pollen (also includes pollinating species), e.g. some species of wild bee, beetles and flies. (Block 3 Part 4.3 Table 4.3)
  105. 105poolThe amount of a material stored in different parts of the environment; in practice it tends to be a term used for specific reserves of a material. (CB p.25)
  106. 106population dynamicsChange in population size in time and or space. (CB p.38)
  107. 107Penman Monteith ModelThe most commonly used EVT model where flux=gradient x conductance
  108. 108Formula for WUENPP/Transpiration
  109. 109What is main factor in determining WUE?Potential rate of ET.
  110. 110Where do C4 species dominate?Arid tropical environments e.g. savannah as light is abundant
  111. 111Where do c3 species dominate?Temperate ecosystems where light is more limiting
  112. 112Three strategies when ET exceeds rainfall?1) Access more water (deep roots)
    2) Dormancy
    3) Tolerate the drought
  113. 113Formula for resistance?R = 1/g where g is conductance
  114. 114Formula for change in water storage?Triangle S = P-E-R
    Precipitation less evapotranspiration less run-off
  115. 115Four ways organisms use water as a resource?1) Reagent for biochemical reactions
    2) Medium for biochemical reactions
    3) Means of cooling
    4) Means of support
  116. 116Main factors in Penman Monteith equation?1) Net solar radiation
    2) Air temperature
    3) Water vapour pressure
    4) Soil water potential
    5) Wind speed
    6) stomatal conductance
  117. 117Three ways organisms use water as a condition?As a habitat and means of transport, means of dispersal
  118. 118What encourages shoot or root growth?Shoots are encouraged by shade whilst roots by water or nutrient limitation.
  119. 119Reasons for senescence?High maintenance or lose parasites or pathogens
  120. 120Three processes in decomposition?leaching, fragmentation and alteration
  121. 121What does forest photosynthesis depend on?Nitrogen supply
    soil moisture
    light
    age of trees
  122. 122What does forest respiration depend on?Soil environment (temp/moisture)
    Leaf area
    photosynthetic rate
  123. 123largest inputs and outputs of carbon in forests?Photosynthesis and soil respiration (roots mycorrhizal fungi and micro-organisms)
  124. 124General rule of decomposition ratios?low C:N higher decomposition that High C:N ratios.
  125. 125What is a nutrient?Vitamins and organic compounds, some they manufacture, others they must acquire.
  126. 126Macronutrients NPK CaMgSNitrogen
    Phosphorus
    Potassium
    Calcium
    Magnesium
    Sulfur
  127. 127What are the structural elements?Carbon, hydrogen and oxygen
  128. 128Plants access phosphate by....?Mineralisation or mycorrhizal fungi
  129. 129What speeds up cycling of recalcitrant plant material into mineralised forms?Herbivory and parasitism
  130. 130factors in decompositionmicrobial activity
    warmth
    moisture
    oxygen
  131. 131Mycorrhizal types and typical plant/biomeEcto-trees-mantle
    VAM-vescicles/arbuscules- herbaceous
    Ericoid- hyphae-heathland
  132. 132Carbon pools during primary and secondary successionPrimary are empty, then grow and recede sightly. Secondary are already in place,reduce then recover0
  133. 133What does OMEH stand for?Oligotrophic < 350
    mesotrophic<650
    eutrophic<1200
    hypertrophic>1200
  134. 134Three implications of the concept of nutrient limitation?1)One key nutrient limiting factor
    2)Growth of primary producers proportional to the limiting nutrient
    3) Control of eutrophication by reducing it load
  135. 135Examples of anthropogenic sources of nutrientswastewater discharge
    Agricultural contamination (fertilisers/slurry)
    Industrial effluents
    Atmospheric deposition for fossil fuel combustion
  136. 136Which is the superior competitor for nutrients: phytoplankton or macrophytes?Macrophytes
  137. 137Specie that operates at more than one trophic levelAbramis Brama- young eat zooplankton, adults worms and microfauna in sediments
  138. 138Example of well coupled?Lone tree, high wind so boundary layer conductance is high
  139. 139Why does increased atmospheric nitrogen deposition lead to species richness decline in acid grasslands?Acidification of soil-low pH few are adapted.
    Competition!
  140. 140What does Simpson diversity index measure?Err, diversity?
  141. 141Island theory of species diversityCorrelation between patch area and species richness
  142. 142Mosaic concept (Duelli)Species number increase with
    a) habitat variability
    b) habitat heterogeniety
  143. 143Patch dynamics theoryThe temporal dynamic nature of ecosystems but on to the Mosaic concept
  144. 144What is chytridiomycosis?Amphibian disease carried by North American Bullfrogs ( but they are immune to)
  145. 145What is maximum sustainable yield?The optimum number that can be taken from an ecosystem before a species becomes unsustainable and heads towards extinction
  146. 146Ancestral species theoryThat the most affected tend to be those that evolved the earliest. Often these are species with specialised feeding habits and low dispersal abilities
  147. 147What are the components of an Earth system model?Atmosphere
    Ocean
    Sea ice
    land ice
    vegetation
    soils
    ocean biosphere
    or "all old sea lions visit some octopus
  148. 148Examples of population based and individual based DVGMS are .....?BIOME 3 AND HYBRID
  149. 149Name the third DVGM?ecosystem demography
  150. 150Four drivers of global changeBiotic, + or- species
    Chemical,e.g. industrial fixed Nitrogen or ozone
    Physical- increased greenhouse gases
    Land transformative-grazing, tillage,rice paddies
    "But can people learn?"
  151. 151Factors in anthropogenic changes to the global ecosystemLand transformation
    Human population
    Global biochemistry
    Biotic losses and additions
    Human enterprise
    Climate change
    loss of biological diversity

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Bachelors Degree Environmental Science FlashCards sobre More ecosystem terminology, criado por keefb56 em 22-05-2016.
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