Coral Reef Biology 200

Exam 3 Study Guide

·  Define ecology and describe what an ecologist does

·  Contrast density independent and density dependant factors that may influence coral populations

·  Understand the difference between K- and r-selected species

·  Define the term niche

·  Understand the competitive exclusion principle and possible outcomes of competition

·  Describe three potential results from competition between similar species for limiting resources

·  Know the difference between an autotroph, heterotroph, and chemotroph

·  Understand what waste products are derived from heterotrophic nutrition

·  Describe trophic levels in a food chain

·  Provide examples of feeding types

·  Explain how nutrients and energy flow through an ecosystem

·  Discuss the nitrogen cycle and carbon cycle

·  Know the stages of ecological succession

·  Contrast primary from secondary succession

·  Describe three mechanisms for succession

·  Define a keystone predator

·  Know the ecological role that Pisaster (starfish) plays with a population of mussels, the sea otter and sea urchin, and Pacific Gregory and coralivores

·  Describe three models for succession in a coral reef

·  Understand factors affecting succession of coral on the Big Island (the case study)

·  Describe mechanisms corals use for competition with other species

·  Understand the difference between interspecific and intraspecific competition

·  Describe environmental factors that have a negative effect on reef formation and growth

·  Describe favorable environmental factors that enhance reef growth

·  Understand the processes and organisms that contribute to reef building and reef erosion

·  Describe the principle framework builders, cementers, and bioeroders

·  Be able to identify Hawaiian fish species from key characteristics and from the Fish ID PowerPoint

·  Know how Acanthaster planci outbreaks have been dealt with

·  Know when lobster collection is legal and restrictions in collection

·  Know what PAR is.

·  Describe how corals minimize the effect of UV light

·  Understand the light-dark bottle technique for measuring primary productivity in the water.

·  Review general fish adaptations and morphologies

·  What happened to the ship Casitas?