Ch 34 Flashcards
Define Ecology
scientific study of interactions between organisms & the environment
Ecology describe animals - _____ they live and how ____ live there
where / many
Define Biotic factors?
All the organisms in an area
Define Abiotic Factors ?
A environment’s non living stuff / Temp, water, energy and nutrients
Define habitat
specific environment animal lives in + A & B factors
3 levels ecologists study?
Organism / Population / Community
Define Organism & Population in Ecology study?
O - studies one kind of species / P - group of same species in an area
4 Physical & Economic Factors?
Energy sources / Temp / Water / Inorganic nutrients-
Define Community in Ecology study?
both biotic & abiotic components of environment.
Info on ‘Energy source’ factor.
All organisms depend on/need a source of energy / Main one - the SUN!
Info on ‘Temperature’ factor.
Important cuz of effect on metabolism / Too cold, not enough Enzymes - too hot, E destroyed
Info on ‘Water’ factor.
Essential to life / land organisms, dehydration - bad / Watertight coverings were key adaptations to be successful on
land.
Info on ‘Inorganic nutrients’ factor.
plants, algae, and photosynthetic bacteria, depend on INs (EX: nitrogen/phosphorus)
Info on ‘Other Abiotic Factors’
Aquatic Eco rely on - dissolved oxygen, varys w/ water temp & movement / Terrestrial Eco influenced by wind - affects evaporation & temp / Fire sometimes
Info on ‘Adaptions’
Organisms adapt to abiotic & biotic factors thru natural selection.
Define Climate
Region’s avg temp & precipitation
Info on ‘Climate’
Center of Earth - most sunlight, further away - less sunlight / cold air falls, hot air rises
How do Prevailing winds result?
From combined effects of rising & falling of air masses
What causes climate & ocean currents?
Earth’s movement & rotation
Name all of the Biomes in the world.
Ice sheet/polar desert / Tundra / Taiga / Montane / Mixed & Deciduous forest / Tropical rainforest / Steppe / Savanna / Desert / Mediterranean Vegetation
What does the pelagic & benthic realm consist of? (Aquatic Biome - ocean)
PR - all open water / BR - substrate (sea floor)
Info on Photic Zone (Aquatic)
Max depth 200m / Photosynthesis possible
T or F: phytoplankton eat zooplankton
F! / Zoo eat Phyto
Info on Aphotic Zone (Aquatic)
200 - 1,000m / AKA Twilight zone / Photosynthesis not possible / dominated by small fishes & crustaceans
Info on Midnight Zone (Aquatic)
Below 1000m / Water pressure is high
Info on ‘Wetlands and Intertidal Zones’
Transitional biomes where ocean meets land or freshwater / Intertidal zones - diverse organisms / estuaries mix freshwater & saltwater / wetlands bridge aquatic & terrestrial eco
Info on ‘Freshwater Biomes’
Diverse plant/animal communities / Rivers & streams support diff life / Freshwater wetlands include swamps & marshes,
Freshwater & Saltwater make what??
Brackish Water
Swamps, Marshes & Bogs are the same except.
S - Trees / M - Shrubs / B - grasses
Info on ‘Tropical Forests’
found n equatorial regions / warm temps / 11-12 hr days / most complex cuz high temp/rainfall
Info on ‘Savannas’
grasslands w/ scattered trees / Poor soil / Animal EXs: Lions and antelopes
Info on ‘Deserts’
Driest land biome / low, unpredictable rainfall / Driven by overgrazing or dryland farming
Info on ‘Chaparral’
Coastal, typically dry / spiny shrubs & evergreen leaves / mild rainy winters, hot dry summers
Info on ‘Temperate Grasslands’
Like Savannas except trees are only near water / Cold winters & droughts / Bison/burrowing wildlife
Info on ‘Temperate Forests’
Soil is richer cuz of fallen leaves / Midlatitude regions
Info on ‘Coniferous Forests’
Evergreens / Canada, Russia, & North US / Largest Biome
Info on ‘Tundra’
Has permafrost w/ only the upper soil layer thawing in summer.
Info on ‘Polar Ice’
Covers land north of tundra and much of Arctic Ocean / Has lichens, mosses, invertebrates, & semi-marine animals
What 2 major climate factors effect distribution of organisms?
Rainfall & Temperature
