Ecology

• What is the definition of adaptation in the context of ecosystems?

  A feature that helps an organism survive in its environment.
• What is a biome?

  Regions of the world with similar climate, animals, and plants.
• What does the term biosphere refer to?

  Any area on Earth that living things inhabit.
• What is carrying capacity?

  The maximum population size of a species that the environment can sustain.
• How is a community defined in ecology?

  A group of populations of different species interacting with each other within a particular area.
• What is an ecosystem?

  Composed of all the living organisms (biotic factors) in one area, together with the non-living (abiotic) factors, and their interactions.
• What is a habitat?

  An area of environment within an ecosystem where an individual species lives, feeds, and reproduces.
• What is a population in ecological terms?

  A group of individuals of the same species living in a particular area at the same time.
• What are biotic factors in an environment?

  All living organisms and their interactions with each other.
• What are abiotic factors?

  Non-living elements in the environment that affect organisms.
• Name some examples of abiotic factors.

  Air, water, temperature, soil composition, pH, altitude, topography, and sunlight availability.
• What types of interactions are considered biotic factors?

  Predation, parasitism/disease, competition, mutualism, and commensalism.
• What are the three Australian biomes mentioned in the study material?

  • Temperate woodlands/forest
  • Deserts
  • Coral reef
• What are the three types of adaptations?

  Behavioural, structural, and functional adaptations.
• Provide an example of a structural adaptation in animals.

  Camouflage in chameleons.
• Provide an example of a functional adaptation in plants.

  Water storage in succulents.
• How do adaptations help organisms survive in bushfire situations?

  Some plants have thick bark or can resprout after fire.
• What does population dynamics refer to?

  The ecological interactions that lead to fluctuations in population size.
• What primary factors affect population growth?

  Birth rate, death rate, immigration, and emigration.
• How do you calculate population growth rate?

  Using the equation: (birth rate + immigration) – (death rate + emigration).
• How can introduced species affect populations?

  They can compete with native species for resources, potentially leading to declines in native populations.
• What impact do natural disasters have on populations?

  They can cause immediate declines in population size and may have long-term effects on population dynamics.
• What are the methods used to estimate population sizes?

  • Direct count
  • Quadrats
  • Capture-recapture method
• When would you use the direct count method for population sampling?

  When the population is small and easily observable.
• When is the quadrat method appropriate to use?

  When studying stationary organisms in a defined area.
• What is the capture-recapture method used for?

  To estimate population sizes of mobile organisms.
• What do the variables N1, N2, and M2 represent in the capture-recapture method?

  N1 is the total number counted on the first capture, N2 is the total number captured in the second sample, and M2 is the total number of organisms in the second capture that were marked.
• What is mutualism


  A relationship between two organisms in which both organisms benefit
• What is commensalism?


  A relationship in which one organism benefits and the other organism is unaffected e.g shark and remora fish
• What is parasitism?

  A relationship in which one organism (parasite) lives in or on the body of another organism (the host). The parasite benefits while the host is harmed. e.g fleas, mosquitoes, tape worms
• What are some desert biotic factors?

  predators- snakes, dingoes, parasitism - kangaroos are susceptible to ticks , commensalism- dung beetles break up many animals manure and put it back into the soil
• What are some temperate forest biotic factors?


  Trees, mammals, birds, insects, decomposers, shrubs
• What are some temperate forest abiotic factors?



  high rainfall, four distinct seasons, seasonal variations of sunlight, temperature (-30 - 30)
• Some bushfire adaptations include


  Thick bark: Trees like eucalyptus have fire-resistant bark that insulates their vital tissues from heat.

  Burrowing: Many animals, such as echidnas and wombats, dig burrows to escape surface heat and flames during fires
• What is a structural adaptation?


  A body part that helps an organism survive in its environment.
• What is a behavioural adaptation?


  A feature of an organisms habits, actions or way of life that helps a organism to survive
• What is a physiological adaptation?


  A feature of the way an organisms body works that helps an organism survive and thrive in its environment