Fall 2024 Finals Review

Front

What is Simpson's Diversity Index?

Back

A measure of biodiversity that considers both the number of species and the abundance of each species in a community.

Front

How do you calculate Simpson's Diversity Index?

Back

D = 1 - (Σ(n/N)²), where n is the number of individuals of each species, and N is the total number of individuals.

Front

What is parasitism in ecology?

Back

A relationship where one organism (the parasite) benefits at the expense of another organism (the host).

Front

Give an example of parasitism.

Back

A tick feeding on a dog.

Front

What happens to energy as it moves through an ecosystem?

Back

Only about 10% of energy is transferred to the next trophic level; the rest is lost as heat, feces, or used for metabolic processes.

Front

What is a cultural service in ecology?

Back

Benefits provided by ecosystems that contribute to the cultural, aesthetic, and recreational needs of humans.

Front

Give an example of a cultural service.

Back

Watching the sunset.

Front

What is commensalism?

Back

A relationship between two organisms where one benefits and the other is neither helped nor harmed.

Front

Give an example of commensalism.

Back

Barnacle attaching to a whale.

Front

What is the role of producers in an ecosystem?

Back

Producers, like plants, convert solar energy into chemical energy through photosynthesis.