1 | Page
ecol 111 final exam Questions and Correct
Answers
what are gradients other than temp that might be important in
influencing the response functions and distribution of organisms
Ans: moisture, light, nutrient, pH
fundamental niche Ans: a larger area or range indicating the
potential conditions and resources a species can use if there are
no limiting biotic factors
realized niche Ans: smaller subset within the fundamental niche,
indicating the real world conditions and resources the species uses
in the presence of biotic constraints
how can species coexist in multiple niche dimensions Ans: by
occupying different parts of niche dimensions, thus reducing
direct competition. ex resource partitioning: different species
might utilize different food sources or forage at different heights
in a forest
what is traditional ecological knowledge Ans: knowledge of the
natural environment that has developed in the course of a
community's long term residence in a specific ecosystem
how can plant species coexist through facilitation Ans: this
interaction can help plants coexist by mitigating harsh
environmental conditions, improving resource availability, or
providing protection from herbivores or pathogens. ex nurse
plants that offer shade for other plants or mycorrhizal fungi which
extends the root system of other plants
© 2025 All rights reserved
, 2 | Page
3 key drivers of biodiversity loss in grasslands Ans: agricultural
expansion (crop production/grazing), urbanization and
infrastructure development, invasive species, climate change
3 biotic edge-effect phenomena associate with fragmentation in
tropical rainforests Ans: altered species composition (invasive
species, floral changes), increased predation and herbivory (easier
access to prey, more light), changes in pollination and seed
dispersal
3 abiotic edge-effect phenomena associate with fragmentation in
tropical rainforests Ans: microclimatic changes (higher temp and
lower humidity), wind exposure (increased, less moisture), light
penetration (more light, higher uv)
describe 3 main selection pressures that occur in alpine
environments Ans: low temp, low oxygen, intense uv (can damage
dna & others)
identify 5 basic uses of abundance and distribution data for
addressing applied problems in management and conservation of
diversity Ans: species conservation status assessment, habitat
management and restoration, invasive species control, monitoring
and evaluating conservation programs, climate change impact
assessment
why is it difficult to forecast population growth rates of open
populations Ans: migration and environmental variability
what formula determines current population Ans: N=(MxC)/R
where M is initial, C is second, and R is marked animals
identify an example of an open population with "source-sink"
structure Ans: arctic tern. breed in arctic (source), but migrate
down where they find "sinks" to forage
© 2025 All rights reserved
ecol 111 final exam Questions and Correct
Answers
what are gradients other than temp that might be important in
influencing the response functions and distribution of organisms
Ans: moisture, light, nutrient, pH
fundamental niche Ans: a larger area or range indicating the
potential conditions and resources a species can use if there are
no limiting biotic factors
realized niche Ans: smaller subset within the fundamental niche,
indicating the real world conditions and resources the species uses
in the presence of biotic constraints
how can species coexist in multiple niche dimensions Ans: by
occupying different parts of niche dimensions, thus reducing
direct competition. ex resource partitioning: different species
might utilize different food sources or forage at different heights
in a forest
what is traditional ecological knowledge Ans: knowledge of the
natural environment that has developed in the course of a
community's long term residence in a specific ecosystem
how can plant species coexist through facilitation Ans: this
interaction can help plants coexist by mitigating harsh
environmental conditions, improving resource availability, or
providing protection from herbivores or pathogens. ex nurse
plants that offer shade for other plants or mycorrhizal fungi which
extends the root system of other plants
© 2025 All rights reserved
, 2 | Page
3 key drivers of biodiversity loss in grasslands Ans: agricultural
expansion (crop production/grazing), urbanization and
infrastructure development, invasive species, climate change
3 biotic edge-effect phenomena associate with fragmentation in
tropical rainforests Ans: altered species composition (invasive
species, floral changes), increased predation and herbivory (easier
access to prey, more light), changes in pollination and seed
dispersal
3 abiotic edge-effect phenomena associate with fragmentation in
tropical rainforests Ans: microclimatic changes (higher temp and
lower humidity), wind exposure (increased, less moisture), light
penetration (more light, higher uv)
describe 3 main selection pressures that occur in alpine
environments Ans: low temp, low oxygen, intense uv (can damage
dna & others)
identify 5 basic uses of abundance and distribution data for
addressing applied problems in management and conservation of
diversity Ans: species conservation status assessment, habitat
management and restoration, invasive species control, monitoring
and evaluating conservation programs, climate change impact
assessment
why is it difficult to forecast population growth rates of open
populations Ans: migration and environmental variability
what formula determines current population Ans: N=(MxC)/R
where M is initial, C is second, and R is marked animals
identify an example of an open population with "source-sink"
structure Ans: arctic tern. breed in arctic (source), but migrate
down where they find "sinks" to forage
© 2025 All rights reserved
