Chapter 6 RAD GuideApril 22, 2023

Provide an example of a predator & a prey.•Predator: lion, coyote•Prey: zebra, sheep

What’s the connection between population sizes of predators & their prey?

•Large population of prey can support more predators

•If prey population grows or shrinks, affects predator population

What’s the relationship between a parasite & it’s host? How are populations similar?

•Parasite depends on host for food and “shelter”

•Large host population can support more parasites (thrive in crowded host population)

Describe each type of symbiotic relationship & give example of each.1. Parasitism: one organism feeds off

anothera. Example: tapeworm and human

2. Commensalism: benefits one species and does not harm or help the other

a. Example: barnacle on a whale3. Mutualism: both species benefit

a. Example: flower and insect

VOCABULARY1. Predator:2. Prey:3. Parasitism:4. Symbiosis: any relationship in which two

species live closely together

See notes above for definition!

Describe primary succession.•Sequence of communities forming in an

originally lifeless habitat

Bare rock Lichens Soil

Grasses Trees w/shallow roots Hardwood Forest

(ex. Pine Trees)

1 2 3

4 5 6

How is a pioneer community different than a climax community?•Pioneer community is the first community to colonize a new area

•Climax community is a final community that does not undergo succession

Describe secondary succession.•Succession occurs where a disturbance eliminates most organisms but does NOT destroy the soil

•Like steps 4-6 in primary successionGrasses Trees w/shallow roots Hardwood Forest

(ex. Pine Trees)

4 5 6

Contrast primary & secondary succession. •Primary succession occurs in environment that’s very low in nutrients

•Secondary succession occurs after a disturbance destroys community, but leaves the soil unharmed

What’s the sequence of ecological succession in a lake?

(1)Reeds/water plants grow near shore (2)Starts to fill with sediment (3)Water plants grow on surface (4)Full of sediment (5)Marsh (6)Land plants (7)Meadow …. (8) Forest

What is the sequence of ecological succession on an island?•Bare island …•similar to primary succession on land, but species must come from ancestors carried by:▫Water▫Wind▫Other organisms

because island surrounded by water

Explain the concept of ecosystem stability.•Ecosystems exist in a state of equilibrium. If an event causes changes, the ecosystem will balance itself back out.

•Some disruptions destroy whole ecosystems however.

How is stability measured in an ecosystem?•Measured by a pattern of energy flow and nutrient cycling

•Evolutionary, food-web, and

abiotic environmental

changes

vs.

What factors contribute to the stability of the ecosystem?1. Abiotic and biotic factors2. Community structure3. More connections in a food web

What is chaos theory?•Chaos theory is one way to try to predict how changes in an ecosystem affect another part▫Similar to Butterfly Effect

What is a biome?•Major type of ecosystem with distinctive temp, rainfall, and organisms

Name & describe 8 major land biomes.•Desert

▫>250mm rain per yr

▫25o -40o N + S latitude

▫High temp during day

▫Cold at night

•Tundra▫>250mm rain per

yr▫60o N and above

latitude▫Permafrost=froze

n soil▫Very cold yr

round

•Coniferous Forest (Taiga)▫300-500mm rain

per yr▫45o -57o N

latitudes▫Cool summer,

cold winter

•Deciduous Forest▫600-2500mm

rainfall per yr▫30o N-60o N

latitude▫Mild winter, warm

summer

•Grassland▫250-600mm rain

per yr▫30o N – 50o N and

30o S – 40o S latitude

▫Wet, warm summer

▫Cold, dry winter

•Chaparral (Shrubland)▫300-750mm rain

per yr▫32o -40o N + S

latitude▫Dry fall, summer,

spring▫Wet winter

•Savanna▫900-1500mm rain

per yr▫10o N – 30o S

latitude▫Hot yr round▫Wet and dry

seasons

•Rainforest▫2000-2500mm

rain per yr▫20o N – 20o S

latitude▫Temp and

humidity high year round