RNR 1001 Chapter : Ecology
Document Summary
Sediment is the #1 water pollutant in the us: non-point sources are particularly important, biogenic turbidity is caused by living organisms, algae bloom, algae blooms become self limiting, a good example of a negative feedback loop. Life in the biosphere is based o the evolution of species: organisms that can interbreed and produce completely fertile offspring, species exist in one or more populations. Separate from the surrounding terrestrial system: consider again or small pond, consider a small stream: riparian links important, allochthonous versus autochthonous inputs. Secondary consumers: omnivores- eats plants and animals, detritovores- eats dead stuff. Is k constant: no because the environment changes all the time with different factors. Logistic population growth has given rise to the concepts of r-selected and k-selected species r-selected species: Small, low reproductive investment per offspring, highly fecund, early maturity, short-lived, type iii survivorship: poor competitors, often dominant during early succession, pioneer species, well adapted to unstable environments, k- selected species:
