Biology Stack Exchange
Biology Stack Exchange

Questions tagged [ecology]

The study of the spatial and temporal patterns of the distribution and abundance of organisms, including causes and consequences (Scheiner, S.M. and Willig, M.R., 2008. A general theory of ecology. Theoretical Ecology, 1(1), pp.21-28. doi:10.1007/s12080-007-0002-0)

Questions should be about the interactions among and between organisms and their environment. Examples of topics include:

  • Life processes, interactions, and adaptations
  • Materials and energy in living communities
  • The development of ecosystems
  • Abundance and distribution of organisms
  • Biodiversity

questions pertaining to specific hierarchical levels of ecology should use specific tags: , ,

Questions pertaining to evolution should use

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Earth overshoot day: is it a sound concept?

Today, August 8th, is Earth Overshoot Day (EOD) for 2016, the day when humanity supposedly has consumed the natural resources available from the planet for the year 2016; we're now running a deficit, somehow. At least if your believe the…
Roland
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Do invasive species cause long-term damage to ecosystems they invade?

Growing up in the U.S., I was warned at various times of the dire consequences of a variety of introduced pests (usually insects). Japanese beetles, gypsy moths, and most recently the brown marmorated stink bug are all introduced pests that, at…
Beofett
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Biological contamination from ground

I took samples of tapwater in order to examine concentrations of escherichia coli and enterococcus, in a rural area. I was told, by the analytical lab, to take samples in four sterilized vessels bought from pharmacy. The problem is that at the…
Johnnas
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Does the entire surface of the earth contain organisms?

Does the entire surface of the earth contain organisms? My teacher mentioned that in some parts of the earth, there aren't any organism. Is this true? Thanks in advance.
lmathl
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If I built a concrete pool, would it ever contain fish?

Imagine that I built a concrete-walled pool the size of a football field and filled it with fresh water - obtained from another lake but free of bacteria, plantlife, eggs, etc. Would it ever, over time, become a life-filled "lake" - with fish,…
Ste
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Population where most of the newborns die soon?

Is there an ecological name to describe a population of organisms where most of the newborns die after birth without reproducing? The population as a whole keeps growing, however, because there are enough individuals that manage to reproduce.
a06e
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How far in can non-extremophiles live, in Earth?

I am a high school student. I'm doing a project where I need to find a planet in our galaxy that might be habitable. Then I need to create an organism that could live on that planet and justify everything about it Ex: Sight, whether or not it can…
Nathanael Smith
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Is there a good field methods book that covers terrestrial ecology?

In the past I have used Limnological Analysis by Wetzel and Likens and Methods in Stream Ecology edited by Hauer and Lamberti to develop labs and research methods for courses and projects with an aquatic focus. These books detail the standard…
DQdlM
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Confusion regarding Lindeman's law

I came across Lindeman's 10% law at school. It states that 10% of the total energy entering a trophic level is available for transfer to the next trophic level. I was reading Ecology: Principles and Applications By J. L. Chapman, M. J. Reiss and…
Tyto alba
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Is there a risk of localised die-off when plants bud too early?

I've been taking a few walks in the countryside in Scotland and England this winter (end of December 2014). Some parts of England haven't had any frosts yet, which is very unusual, and it's been generally quite warm since summer ended. My friends…
spraff
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Is photosynthesis faster in aquatic plants rather than terrestrial plants?

For example : In which of these two plants photosynthesis is faster and why? water hyacinth or sedge?
sakhawat hossain
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Are there inherent problems in simulating marine environments, as compared to terrestrial systems?

We cultivate a number of terrestrial organisms in greenhouses and stables where they live in completely artificial environments. This seems to extend far less to marine organisms, such as fish. Aquariums (especially the salt water variety) seem to…
Hanno Fietz
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Statement about Tropical Rainforests

I made a statement about tropical rainforests, and I want to know if it's somewhat true or not: The soil in tropical rainforests is not exceptionally fertile, because it contains few minerals. The reason that a tropical rainforest has a huge amount…
JohnPhteven
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What does the energy in an energy pyramid represent?

Suppose the energy at the second trophic level as given in an energy pyramid is 100 kcal per square metre. It could mean either of the two following things: 100 kcal is the energy this primary consumer has stored in its flesh - that is, the energy…
Charles
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Are there organisms that have incorporated plastic into their lives?

Are there organisms that have incorporated (manmade) plastic into their lives in any way? Either in their diet, or as a part of their body?
laggingreflex
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