Unit 2.A

Have interconnected inputs, processes, and outputs that affect each other.

System changes in the same direction, reinforces original inputs/events

System changes in opposite direction from which it is coming

Cultural Provisioning Regulating Supporting

Natural processes that sustain life Photosynthesis, water cycle

Processes that regulate natural phenomena Pollination, decomposition

Benefits that can be extracted or harvested from nature

Non-material benefit contributing to development and cultural advancement

Uniform, random, and clumped

Better chance at finding resources, more protection against predators, packs allow some to get prey, groups for mating and kids

Higher intraspecific competition, diseases spread easier, may attract predators

Individuals Population Community Ecosystem Biome Biosphere

Total number of individuals in a given area at a specific time

Number of individuals per unit area

The limit of individuals that can be supported by the environment

Rapid initial growth then steady decrease in population growth until population size levels off

Occur because of the population becoming too dense in its environment. Water, nutrients, disease, space

Affects the size of a population regardless of its density/size. Storms, floods, earthquakes, cold spells, fires

Capacity for population growth under ideal conditions. Population experiences exponential growth

Usually many offspring to overcome large losses, little/no parental care, unstable boom and bust cycles Rabbits, rats, bacteria

Few offspring, mature late, extensive parental care, big competitors Elephant, whales, humans

Displays the relative survival rates of a group of individuals in a population

High survival in young age K-selected species

Roughly constant mortality independent of age Usually K-selected species