Question

1. distinguish between tolerance range and optimal range. 2) list three abiotic factors important to both terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems. explain your choices. 3) how do human actions increase the carrying capacity of some ecosystems? 4) give some examples of each of the following: predation, competition, mutualism, parasitism, commensalism. 5) before reading this section, which types of species - species interactions were you already familiar with? 6) what species - species relationship or example did you find the most interesting or unusual? 7) is it possible to describe abiotic factors as more or less important to an ecosystem than biotic factors? explain your reasoning. 8) cedar waxwings are one species of bird that is adapted to withstand our cold winters. bird watchers in barrie provide cedar waxwings with seeds at birdfeeders during winter months. (a) would the seeds alter the carrying capacity of the ecosystem? explain. (b) provide a hypothesis that explains why bird watchers have noted an increase in the falcon population in recent years.

Explanation:

1. Tolerance range refers to the range of environmental conditions a species can survive in, while optimal range is the narrow set of conditions where a species thrives best.
2. Three important abiotic factors are sunlight (needed for photosynthesis in plants in both ecosystems), water (vital for life - all organisms need it), and temperature (affects metabolic rates and distribution of species).
3. Humans increase carrying capacity by providing food through agriculture, creating artificial habitats like bird - houses and fish - farms, and improving water supply.
4. Predation: Lion preying on a zebra; Competition: Two species of plants competing for sunlight; Mutualism: Bees and flowers (bees get nectar, flowers get pollinated); Parasitism: Tapeworm in a human's intestine; Commensalism: Barnacles on a whale (barnacles get a place to live, whale is neither helped nor harmed).
5. Answers may vary based on individual prior knowledge, could include any common species - species interactions like predator - prey.
6. Answers vary based on individual perception, could be an unusual symbiotic relationship.
7. It's not possible to simply say abiotic factors are more or less important than biotic factors as they are interdependent. Abiotic factors provide the physical environment, while biotic factors drive ecological processes.
8. (a) The seeds could potentially increase the carrying capacity as they provide an additional food source for the cedar waxwings, allowing more of them to survive and reproduce. (b) A hypothesis could be that the increase in the falcon population is due to the increase in the cedar waxwing population (prey availability), as falcons may prey on cedar waxwings.

Answer:

1. Tolerance range is survival range, optimal range is where species thrives.
2. Sunlight, water, temperature. Reasons: needed for photosynthesis, vital for life, affects metabolic rates.
3. By providing food, creating habitats, improving water supply.
4. Predation: Lion - zebra; Competition: Plants for sunlight; Mutualism: Bees - flowers; Parasitism: Tapeworm - human; Commensalism: Barnacles - whale.
5. Varies based on prior knowledge.
6. Varies based on perception.
7. Not possible as they are interdependent.
8. (a) Yes, as they provide food. (b) Increase in falcon population due to more prey (cedar waxwings).