Questions from Ecology

Q: Shaver and Chapin (1986) pointed out that though the tundra

Shaver and Chapin (1986) pointed out that though the tundra ecosystems they studied consistently increased primary production in response to fertilization, individual species and growth forms showed m...

Q: Compare the pictures of trophic structure that emerged from our discussions of

Compare the pictures of trophic structure that emerged from our discussions of food webs in chapter 17 with those in chapter 18. What are the strengths of each perspective? What are their limitations?...

Q: Suppose you are studying a community of small mammals that live on

Suppose you are studying a community of small mammals that live on the boundary between a riverside forest and a semidesert grassland. One of your concerns is to discover the relative contributions of...

Q: Most of the energy that flows through a forest ecosystem flows through

Most of the energy that flows through a forest ecosystem flows through detritus-based food chains, and the detritus consists mainly of dead plant tissues (e.g., leaves and wood). In contrast, most of...

Q: In chapter 17, we examined the influences of keystone species on

In chapter 17, we examined the influences of keystone species on the structure of communities. In chapter 18, we reviewed trophic cascades. Discuss the similarities and differences between these two c...

Q: In chapter 17, we examined the influences of keystone species on

In chapter 17, we examined the influences of keystone species on the structure of communities. In chapter 18, we reviewed trophic cascades. Discuss the similarities and differences between these two c...

Q: What is genetic drift? Under what circumstances do you expect genetic

What is genetic drift? Under what circumstances do you expect genetic drift to occur? Under what circumstances is genetic drift unlikely to be important? Does genetic drift increase or decrease geneti...

Q: Of all the naturally occurring elements in the biosphere, why have

Of all the naturally occurring elements in the biosphere, why have the cycles of carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus been so intensively studied by ecologists? (Hint: Think about the kinds of organic mol...

Q: Parmenter and Lamarra (1991) studied decomposition of fish and waterfowl

Parmenter and Lamarra (1991) studied decomposition of fish and waterfowl carrion in a freshwater marsh. During the course of their studies they found that the soft tissues of both fish and waterfowl d...

Q: Review figure 18.2, in which Rosenzweig (1968)

Review figure 18.2, in which Rosenzweig (1968) plotted the relationship between actual evapotranspiration and net primary production. How do you think that decomposition rates change across the same e...