Biophysical Interactions Flashcards
What does biophysical interactions encompass?
The biosphere, lithosphere, atmosphere and hydrosphere
What are physical, chemical and biological processes that form the topography of an area?
Geomorphic processes
What is the geological process that compacts deposited sediment?
Lithification
What processes are associated with rivers and streams?
Fluvial processes
What is the name for loose clay, silt, sand, or gravel that has been deposited by running water in a stream?
Alluvium
What processes are associated with the movement of water?
Alluvial processes
What processes are associated with gravity?
Colluvial processes
What processes are associated with the movement of wind?
Aeolian processes
What is a vertical succession of horizons?
Soil profile
What is silviculture?
Silviculture is the art and science of managing forests for desired outcomes, such as wildlife habitat, aesthetics, and timber production
How is the Wollemi Pine significant?
Located in the Wollemi National Park in the Greater Blue Mountains Heritage area, there is a small stand of Wollemi Pines which are one of the worlds oldest living plants. It therefore has heritage value.
What conditions will a high pressure system produce?
Stable weather and clear skies
What conditions will a low pressure system produce?
Unstable weather and precipitation
What conditions will a trough produce?
The formation of clouds, precipitation and a cold air mass
What conditions will a ridge produce?
Warm and dry weather
How does orographic rainfall occur?
As air rises over mountain ranges the air cools and causes rainfall. This creates wetter mountains on the windy side and drier conditions (also known as rain shadow) on the other side.
What are the 4 features of urban microclimates? (THINK: urban heat islands)
- Higher temperatures
- less sunlight
- lower humidity (less evapotranspiration)
- increased cloud formation and precipitation
What are aspect-induced microclimates?
Northerly slopes receive more direct sunlight than Southerly slopes (equator). Slopes with an easterly aspect receive direct sunlight during the morning and Western-facing slopes receive their direct sunlight during the afternoon. Slopes not exposed to direct sunlight have a cooler, moister microclimate than those exposed to longer periods of direct sunlight (causes wet sclerophyll pockets to form)
What are the 5 values of contemporary environmental management?
- Natural change
- Resources (utility value)
- Intrinsic values
- Heritage values
- Biodiversity values
How do land surfaces create microclimates in forests?
- Forested areas absorb and trap larger amounts of incoming radiation compared with more exposed surfaces. The canopy of leaves acts as a blanket. As a result, forests have a small diurnal range of temperature.
- Forests have a higher level of relative humidity due to evapotranspiration.
- Precipitation is also higher due to the moisture pumped into the air by trees.
- Wind velocities are reduced in forests because trees act as a windbreak
What are examples of fluvial (related to rivers and streams) processes?
- Hydraulic action (The power of flowing water itself)
- Abrasion (This occurs when rock particles that are carried by the swift-flowing current strike channel walls. As they do so they grind off chips of rock and earth)
- Corrosion (Due to the chemical solution of material from rocks being exposed to the stream by solvents carried in the river.
What is the distribution of biomes related to?
Latitude
What are the four types of factors that interact to create a biome?
Climactic, topographic, edaphic and biotic
What is an edaphic factor?
A factor related to soil.
What are examples of climactic features?
Precipitation, temperature, light availability and winds
What are examples of topographic features?
Altitude, slope and aspect
What is secondary succession?
Secondary succession occurs when a community is removed or destroyed by human activities or natural events.
What is wave refraction?
Wave refraction or bending occurs when the waves encounter an uneven coastline. The direction of the wave is changed. This can cause the formation of landforms such as arches.
What are wave-cut platforms?
Areas where a wave-cut notch has been eroded and the above rock collapses, leaving a platform.
What s a fire regime?
The pattern, frequency, and intensity of the bushfires and wildfires that prevail in an area over long periods of time.
What is the Fuel Dryness Level (DL)?
A quantitative measure of fuel moisture and receptability to ignition
What is a crown fire? (THINK: hazard reduction burning)
A forest fire that advances often at great speed from crown (canopy) to crown often well in advance of the fire on the ground.
What is epicormic growth?
An adaption of trees in fire-prone ecosystems: The growth of shoots from previously dormant epicormic buds, stimulated by fire.
What are lignotubers?
Adaptation to fire, the swelling of the base root crown to prevent the destruction of plant stems from fire. Found on eucalyptus trees in Australia.
