Vocab 21-40 (Ecology)

The ability to meet the current needs of humanity without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their needs

(1968 paper by ecologist Garret Hardin) “Freedom to breed,” is bringing ruin to all Global commons such as the atmosphere and oceans are used by all and owned by none. When no individual has ownership, no one takes responsibility

Organisms that possess favorable adaptations survive and pass them onto the next generation

only 10% of the usable energy is transferred because usable energy is lost as heat (second law); not all biomass is digested and absorbed; predators expend energy to catch prey; the 10% value is an average value

living and nonliving components of an ecosystem

a type of population interaction, usually over a limited resource - may be intraspecific or interspecific

photosynthetic or chemosynthetic life; Chemotroph - organism undergoing chemosynthesis - usually carried out by sulfur bacteria in aphotic zones in the ocean

development of communities in a lifeless area not previously inhabited by life or those in which the soil profile is totally destroyed (lava flows); no soil substrate present; begins with lichen action

Life progresses where soil remains (clear-cut forest, fire, disturbed areas)

A symbiotic relationship where both partners benefit and both participate

symbiotic relationship where one partner benefits and the other is unaffected or may benefit

relationship in which one partner obtains nutrients at the expense of the host

large distinct terrestrial region having similar climate, soil, plants, and animals; terrestrial biomes determining factors are temperature and precipitation

the number of individuals (size of population) that can be sustained in an area (supported by available resources in the environment)

• reproduce early in life • many small unprotected offspring • tend to be generalists • short lifespan

• reproduce later in life • few offspring • care for offspring • tend to be specialists • longer lifespan

when a change in some condition triggers a response that intensifies the changed condition

said human population increases exponentially while food supplies increase arithmetically; factors that keep the population in check include war, famine, and disease

rule of 70; 70 divided by the percent growth rate

When a change in a condition triggers a response that counteracts the changed condition