Bio Final 2 Flashcards
Scientific study of interactions between organisms and the environment
Ecology
“Oikos” =
Household
“Logos”
study of
Nonliving factors influencing organism distribution (e.g., Water, Light, Radiation, Temperature, Humidity, Diseases)
Abiotic Component
Living factors in an individual’s environment (e.g., Competitors, Food, Pollinators)
Biotic Component
Long-term prevailing weather conditions (e.g., Temperature, Precipitation, Sunlight, Wind).
climate
Determined by solar energy and Earth’s movement, impacting temperature variations and air/water movement
Global Climate Patterns
Caused by Earth’s tilted axis and annual orbit, leading to seasonal changes in day length, solar radiation, and temperature
Seasonality
Major life zones characterized by vegetation type or physical environment, formed by interactions between Earth, Sun, and Moon
Biomes
covered by water in Oceans, Glaciers, Groundwater, Lakes, Atmosphere, Rivers/Streams, Antarctic ice cap.
71%
Physiological features adapted to environmental conditions, enhancing fitness (e.g., Thermoregulation, Water balance).
Physiological Ecology
Small-scale climatic variations influenced by altitude, aspect, and vegetation
Microclimates
Balancing heat production and loss through radiation, convection, and conduction
Thermoregulation
Integrated study of ecology, evolutionary biology, physiology, molecular biology, and genetics to sustain biological diversity at all levels
Conservation Biology
Ecosystem Diversity Threats
50% of Earth’s forests gone
20% coral reefs destroyed by human activity
Grasslands lost to agriculture
Provide useful products or services to humanity (e.g., food, fur, pollination, medicine).
Intrinsic Value of Species
increasing human populations converting habitats into human landscapes, leading to radical system changes.
Habitat Loss
Major Pollutants
acid Rain: Sulfur compounds + water vapor = sulfuric acid
Heavy Metals: Lead, mercury, arsenic, etc.
Hydrocarbons: Often carcinogenic or affect reproduction
Directional change in global climate lasting 3+ decades
Climate Change
Current Climate Change
Earth has warmed 1.6°F since 1900, projected to warm 2-11°F by 2100.
Altered species distributions, butterfly and plant range shifts.
Effects of Climate Change
Decrease in diversity within species, ecosystems, areas, or Earth
Biodiversity Loss
CO2 & CH4 contribute to the greenhouse effect, warming Earth due to atmospheric accumulation.
Greenhouse Gases
Climate vs. Weather
Climate = long-term weather conditions, while weather = instantaneous atmospheric state
Factors Affecting Climate:
Solar radiation, volcanic aerosols, geological processes.
Individual Actions for Conservation
Reducing deforestation, switching from beef to chicken, and voting for leaders who fight climate change.
