BIO 102 - Review for Exam 3

Chapter 5

1. How might the niche of a species differ at different stages in the life cycle.

2. What is the difference between fundamental and realized niche?

3. Remember that no two species can occupy the exact same niche. If two species occupy very similar niches, what are the two possible results?

4. What determines the boundary of a community?

5. Describe the two components of species diversity.

6. Describe how the seven factors we discussed in class affect species diversity.

7. Compare the five types of species interactions. (particularly useful to know examples)

8. Why are predation and competition especially important in community ecology?

9. Compare primary succession to secondary succession. When/where does each occur? What is the predictable progression of plant communities?

Chapter 16

10. Describe the three components of biodiversity.

11. Describe at least four reasons why we should be concerned about biodiversity.

12. Describe the difference between background extinction and mass extinction. Why do ecologists believe that we are in the midst of a mass extinction? (Be able to express in some way the enormity of current species loss.) What is the cause?

13. What four characteristics cause a species to be vulnerable to extinction? (good to know examples)

14. How is information about community structure and stability on oceanic islands applicable to situations on continents?

15. Describe at least three ways in which human activity is leading to reduced biodiversity. (good to know examples)

16. Compare in situ conservation to ex situ conservation. What are the pros and cons of each?

17. When was the Endangered Species Act written? What is its goal? Discuss the pros and cons of this piece of legislation.

Chapter 18

18. Why did farming develop in early human societies?

19. Describe the three independent origins of agriculture. Where and when did they occur? What were the major crops?

20. Describe current agricultural practices. What species provide for most of our nutrition? What are some of the advanced techniques that have been developed? What are some of the problems associated with modern agriculture?

21. Compare the three types of agriculture. Include a discussion of the pros and cons of each.

Chapter 22

22. Compare broad spectrum to narrow spectrum pesticides. What are the pros and cons of each? Which type is the most common? Why?

23. Compare inorganic to botanical pesticides. Which are used most today?

24. Describe at least two benefits of pesticides. Why are they necessary in agriculture (in terms of community ecology concepts)?

25. Describe five problems associated with pesticide use.

26. Discuss seven alternatives to widespread use of pesticides.

Chapter 23

27. What type of trash makes up a majority of our municipal solid waste? What is the fastest growing component? Why are discarded tires a problem?

28. Compare the pros and cons of the four methods of solid waste disposal.

29. Discuss the "3 R's" of waste prevention.

30. Where do dioxins and PCB's come from?

31. What government organization deals with currently produced hazardous waste? What about abandoned and illegal toxic waste sites?

Definitions