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Ecology and Bionomics
This category is for questions about the field of Biology that ties together the environment and its inhabitants in order to better understand the world we live in.
1,360 Questions
What is ecological consolidation?
Ecological consolidation refers to the process of combining or merging ecological areas or habitats to create a larger, more connected landscape that allows for better species movement and gene flow. This can help enhance biodiversity, improve ecosystem resilience, and mitigate the impacts of habitat fragmentation.
What are the key zones and organisms in an ocean biosystem?
Key zones in an ocean biosystem include the surface zone where most sunlight penetrates, the twilight zone where light diminishes, and the deep zone where no sunlight reaches. Organisms in these zones include phytoplankton, zooplankton, fish, marine mammals, and deep-sea creatures like anglerfish and grenadiers.
What is meant by the term tsunami and from what language is it derived?
A tsunami is a series of ocean waves caused by a sudden and large-scale disturbance of the sea, typically earthquakes or volcanic eruptions. The word "tsunami" is derived from the Japanese words "tsu" (harbor) and "nami" (wave).
What are 2 natural resources in the photic zone?
Two natural resources found in the photic zone are sunlight and nutrients. Sunlight is essential for photosynthesis, which provides energy for many organisms in this zone. Nutrients such as nitrogen and phosphorus are vital for the growth and productivity of plants and algae in the photic zone.
What is considered an environmental threat a fire b firewall c spies d hackers?
That would depend on the environment, but fire is the common environmental threat. Hackers also threaten the environment of computers. Spies also threaten business and government environments. Firewalls are not a threat of any kind.
Are fungi and parasites part of microbiology?
Yes, fungi are part of microbiology because they are a group of microorganisms that include molds and yeasts. Parasites, on the other hand, are organisms that live on or in a host organism and can be studied as part of microbial ecology in microbiology.
What is complexity in an ecological community?
Complexity in an ecological community refers to the number of species present, the diversity of interactions among species, and the spatial and temporal dynamics of these interactions. A more complex community typically has a higher number of species, a greater network of interactions, and more intricate patterns of species coexistence and competition. Complexity can influence community stability, resilience, and biodiversity.
Who is th producer in ecology?
In ecology, a producer refers to an organism that can photosynthesize, such as plants, algae, and some bacteria. These organisms produce their own food using sunlight, water, and carbon dioxide. They form the base of the food chain, providing energy for all other organisms in the ecosystem.
What is a danger to the environment?
the ff. threats to the environment are:
+indiscriminate logging
+kaingin system
+Human settlements
+deforestation etc.
How was the environment of the megalodons?
This is a very difficult question to answer, for two main reasons:
a) C. megalodon lived for over 20,000,000 years, and a lot happened in earth's marine and climatic environements during such a long period of time.
b) Paleoclimatologists are still trying to understand the complexity of climate changes during the Cenozoic era which, in turn, directly affected the oceans currents, temperatures, salinity, etc.
C. megalodon appears in the fossil register in the Late Oligocene, when temperatures began to rise after the Early Oligocene abrupt temperature decline (the first time in the Tertiary era that Antarctica was covered by ice).
During Late Oligocene, Antarctica was linked to Australia AND to South America, but Panama Isthmus did not existed yet. This means a totally different oceanic current worldwide system from today's oceanic currents. The Pacific and Atlantic oceans were connected, and no ocean conveyor belt existed.
During the next period, the Miocene, temperatures became warmer, and Antarctica lost its ice cap.
In the Miocene, cetaceans reached its highest diversity, and it was a flourishing period for the megalodon, because of abundance of food and warm oceanic water.
But the megalodon at that time shared the top of the food chain with another formidable apex predator, the Livyatan melvillei, its «Nemesis».
This predatory odontoceti cetacian could reached the same size of extant sperm whales, or could be even larger. Confirmed lenght of more than 17 metres is accepted today by paleontologists, but VERY FEW fossils of this apex predatory whale were found. Larger individuals are a probabilistic certitude.
Moreover, Livyatan melvillei had not only teeth in BOTH upper and lower jaws - unlike today's sperm whales - but they had much larger teeth than megalodon (36 cm lenght, confirmed).
The Middle Miocene extinction reached its peak, and a wave of extinctions of marine life diminuished megalodon food supply. Neverthless, the megalodon thrived.
In the Late Miocene temperatures droped again, and Antarctica suffered a glaciation.
In colder waters, more cetaceans became extint, including the mighty Livyatan melvillei. However, C. megalodonsurvived without a significant decrease of population.
The next period, the Pliocene, arrived and temperatures kept dropping. Whale species became much larger, some reaching or exceeding the size of the extant blue whale.
C. megalodon, beeing a warm blooded shark, adapted the best he could to colder oceans, although he prefers warm waters. It changed its prey attack behavior to feed on larger whales, and became also larger and adopted a more brutal attack to the new preys.
The Drake Passage opened and Australia is no longer attached to Antarctica.
North and South Americas are now connected, and the Pacific/Atlantic connection is over, except through the difficult and cold Drake Passage. The Isthmus of Panama made the end of the final remnant of what was once essentially a circum-equatorial oceanic current, for tens of millions of years.
Megalodon populations from the Pacific loose contact with the Atlantic populations, which became reduced to relic populations over time.
The Pacific is much, much larger and megalodon is now the only apex predator in the top of the food chain. Life is good for the megalodon in the warm Pacific.
But the new Pleistocene period brings something that will put an end of more than 20 million years of C. megalodonocean dominance: the severe Quaternary glaciations.
However these glaciation periods are more severe in the northern hemisphere, and each glaciation has a warm interglacial period.
Megalodon's populations are greatly reduced, even in the Pacific. But the monstruous shark is tough, and in 1.5 million years BCE it is still hunting ferociously any prey he can eat.
But his time must come to an end, as all species do.
Reduced to isolated relic populations in the Pacific ocean, smaller males are fewer, because of cannibalism. The larger megalodon females still try parthenogenesis to avoid the extintion.
But this is not enough.
«Time to live, time to die.»
In Blade Runner movie, Riddley Scott.
What is the main way that invasive species are transported and introduced to nonnative areas?
Invasive species are mainly transported and introduced to nonnative areas through human activities such as international trade, travel, and agriculture. They may hitch rides on ships, vehicles, or cargo, or inadvertently be released or escape into new habitats.
Firstly, all areas are important. While the tropics have the most biodiversity, there are different types of organisms in each biome and all contribute to global biodiversity. They each promote ecosystem sustainability and balance nature
Ecological drift is the random fluctuation in the composition of a population due to chance events like natural disasters or genetic drift. It can lead to a loss of genetic diversity and potentially impact the long-term survival of a population or species.
How big was Lake Chad fifty years ago?
Fifty years ago, Lake Chad was approximately 25,000 square kilometers in size. However, due to factors like climate change, increased water usage, and desertification, the lake has significantly shrunk since then.
One of the latest biofuels is algae biofuel, which is produced from algae that can grow rapidly and be processed into fuel. Algae biofuel is considered a promising alternative to traditional fossil fuels due to its high energy content and potential for low environmental impact. Research and development in this area are ongoing to improve production efficiency and scalability.
an ecosystem is made up of various living organism . Parasitsm is a feeding relationship , which is made up of a host and parasite.the host is the organism being harmed while the parasit is the one which benefits from the host , by eating from his body , living there as a shelter
Does niche involve abiotic factors?
Yes, abiotic factors such as temperature, sunlight, water availability, and soil composition are important components of an organism's niche. These non-living factors play a key role in determining the distribution and abundance of organisms within an ecosystem.
What is the ecological role of meiofauna?
Meiofauna play a crucial role in nutrient cycling and energy transfer within marine ecosystems. They also serve as a food source for a variety of larger organisms, contributing to the overall biodiversity and productivity of the ecosystem. Additionally, meiofauna help in sediment stabilization and decomposition processes.
What is the largest ecological niche where an organism or species can live without competition?
The open ocean is one of the largest ecological niches where organisms can live without intense competition due to its vastness and relatively low levels of nutrients. Deep sea environments at extreme depths and extreme temperatures can also provide habitats with minimal competition.
What organisms uses chitin for structure and support?
Organisms that use chitin for structure and support include arthropods (such as insects, spiders, and crustaceans), fungi (like mushrooms), and some algae (such as diatoms and certain seaweeds). Chitin is a tough, lightweight polysaccharide that provides rigidity and protection to their cell walls or exoskeletons.
Is honey renewable nonrenewable inexhaustible?
Honey is considered 'renewable' because it is a natural product continually being produced by bees. As long as it is not over-exploited, the supply will continue without depleting or harming the ecosystem.
This process is called endocytosis. It involves the formation of a vesicle from the cell membrane to engulf molecules and bring them into the cell. Endocytosis can occur through various mechanisms such as phagocytosis, pinocytosis, and receptor-mediated endocytosis.
Ecological soundness refers to practices or actions that are environmentally sustainable and do not harm ecosystems or natural resources. It involves minimizing negative impact on the environment and promoting harmony between human activities and the natural world.
What is a molecule with the general formula CH2O?
A molecule with the general formula CH2O is formaldehyde. It is a simple organic compound that consists of one carbon atom, two hydrogen atoms, and one oxygen atom. Formaldehyde is a colorless gas with a pungent odor and is commonly used in various industrial applications.
Does deforestation lead to more infiltration?
Deforestation can lead to increased infiltration in the short term due to reduced interception by trees. However, over time, deforestation can lead to soil compaction, reduced organic matter, and increased runoff, which can decrease infiltration rates. Overall, the impact of deforestation on infiltration can vary depending on the specific conditions of the area.
