APES Exam Review

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What is El Niño?

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El Niño is a climate pattern characterized by the warming of surface waters in the central and eastern Pacific Ocean, which can disrupt normal weather patterns globally.

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What is bycatch in commercial fishing?

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Bycatch refers to the unwanted fish and other marine organisms that are caught during commercial fishing operations but are not harvested or sold.

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How do you calculate the percent of bycatch in total fish catch?

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To calculate the percent of bycatch, divide the total weight of bycatch by the total weight of all fish caught, then multiply by 100.

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What is a trophic cascade?

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A trophic cascade is an ecological phenomenon triggered by the addition or removal of top predators, which can lead to dramatic changes in ecosystem structure and nutrient cycling.

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What is the significance of the soil texture triangle?

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The soil texture triangle is a tool used to classify soil types based on the relative proportions of sand, silt, and clay.

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What are the potential ecological impacts of reintroducing wolves to Yellowstone?

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Reintroducing wolves can help control deer populations, promote biodiversity, and restore ecological balance, but it may also lead to conflicts with livestock.

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What is the Hadley cell circulation?

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Hadley cell circulation is a large-scale atmospheric circulation pattern that influences tropical weather and climate, characterized by rising warm air at the equator and sinking cool air at about 30 degrees latitude.

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What is the role of upwelling in marine ecosystems?

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Upwelling brings nutrient-rich waters from the deep ocean to the surface, supporting high productivity and diverse marine life.

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What is the difference between primary and secondary succession?

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Primary succession occurs in lifeless areas where soil has not yet formed, while secondary succession occurs in areas where a disturbance has destroyed an existing ecosystem but soil remains.

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What is the concept of carrying capacity?

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Carrying capacity is the maximum population size of a species that an environment can sustain indefinitely without degrading the habitat.