A few marine ecology questions!

[marinebiologist26]

Hi guys,

I'm just prepping for an ecology exam next week, and thought i'd go over some previous years exams, although the format of material has changed a little so I don't have access to previous years lecture notes - but would still like to be able to answer these questions. Any help is appreciated!


1. Describe THREE models of succession in marine communities. How can you distinguish among them?
Please give a brief example of each model.

2. Briefly define the term "recruitment limitation" as it applies to marine populations, and describe one implication of recruitment limitation for harvested populations.

3. List and describe three lines of evidence which suggest that some marine populations may be partially demographically-closed.

4. Distinguish between these two models of species co-existence: niche-partioning and lottery. How does competition play a role in each?

5. Compare and contrasts the effects consumers and disturbance can have on the diversity of communities.

6. Describe a "global gradient" in marine biodiversity AND a hypothesis to explain it.

7. Briefly describe two ways in which intertidal communities are linked to conditions in the ocean and subtidal benthic communities.

8. Why are toxic wastes such a serious threat to marine environments? How can they be acquired by marine organisms?

That's it! Once again, don't need to answer all of them, just any input from some fellow biologists/ecologists would be great!

Thanks