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ecology > chapter 2 > Flashcards

chapter 2 Flashcards

1
Q

Weather

A

occurs at a specific place/time

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2
Q

Whether it is the combination of

A

temperature
humidity
precipitation
wind
cloudiness
any other atmospheric conditions

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3
Q

Climate

A

it is the long term local, regional, and global average pattern of weather

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4
Q

-Solar radiation is..
-Shorter wavelengths give…
-Longer wavelengths give…

A

-electromagnetic energy
-give higher energy
-give lower energy

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5
Q

-Albedo
-White sand results in
-Black sand results in

A

-reflectivity of a surface, some energy that reaches Earth is reflected back into space
-results in high albedo
-results in low albedo

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6
Q

Shortwave Radiation

A

incoming radiation from the sun

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7
Q

Terrestrial longwave radiation

A

some absorbed by the surface, and in turn emitted back into space

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8
Q

Greenhouse Gases

A

absorb longwave radiation
carbon dioxide
water vapor
methane

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9
Q

Greenhouse Effect

A

help to keep the surface of the Earth warm

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10
Q

Net radiation determines earth average=

A

-incoming solar (shortwave) radiation
-outgoing terrestrial (longwave) radiation
surface temp
zero

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11
Q

average annual surface net radiation equator vs. poles because of

A

higher at equator
lower at poles
angle of incidence
amount of atmosphere

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12
Q

Distinct pattern of global temperatures, poles and equator

A

cool, dry at poles
hot, moist at equator

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13
Q

Earths Orbit

A

one year for the Earth to orbit once around the sun

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14
Q

Earths Rotation

A

one day for the earth to rotate on its axis

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15
Q

Earths Tilt

A

axis has a tilt of 23.5

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16
Q

Equinoxes

A

“equal nights”
2 equinoxes each year
vernal (spring)
autumnal (fall)
sun is directly overhead at the equator
all places have 12 hours of darkness and 12 hours of light

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17
Q

Summer Solstice

A

June 22 longest day in N.H
Northern summer/Southern winter
Northern Hemisphere is tilted towards the sun
Sun is directly overhead at the Tropic of Cancer
N.H has longer days and warmer temp

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18
Q

Winter Solstice

A

Southern summer/Northern winter
S.H tilted towards the sun
sun is directly overhead at the Tropic of Capricorn
Dec 22 shortest day in the NH

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19
Q

Seasonality equator vs poles

A

-regions at equator show very little seasonal variation in temperature
-regions at the poles show the most seasonal variation in a days length (0 to 24 hrs) and solar radiation

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20
Q

Surplus Radiation

A

incoming > outgoing radiation

21
Q

Deficit Radiation

A

outgoing > incoming radiation

22
Q

Imbalance results in global pattern of heat

A

mainly through convection

23
Q

Intertropical Convergence Zone

A

-warm air at equator rises leads to low pressure at surface
-air flows form N to S to the equator
-rising air at equator moves N and S
-towards poles it cools and sinks
-leads to high pressure at surface
-movement creates cells of circulation

24
Q

Speed of rotation is faster at the ________ and slower at the ________

A

-faster at the equator
-slower at the poles

25
Q

Coriolis Effect

A

-NH deflection to the right
-SH deflection to the left

26
Q

Equator

A

-warm air rises
-low pressure at surface (equatorial low)
-results in: warm air rises, spreads north to south, and cools as it moves

27
Q

Pa Hadley Cell

A

circle cell same as tropical convergenze zone

28
Q

Trade Winds

A

deflected winds

29
Q

Evaporation and Condensation

A
  • requres energy
    -releases energy
30
Q

Saturation vapor pressure (VP)
-What capacity of air
-If this is exceed what occurs

A

-water vapor capacity of air is the amount of pressure exerted by water vapor at saturation
-if this exceeded, condensation occurs

31
Q

Relative Humidity

A

current VP / saturation VP x 100

32
Q

Near Equator

A

rising air masses of very warm, humid air
cool and release precipitation
very rainy

33
Q

30 N and S

A

falling air masses of dry, cool air
warm and absorb surface moisture, dry

34
Q

50 to 60 N and S

A

rising air masses of warm, humid air at
cool and release precipitation, rainy

35
Q

More rain in ________ Hemisphere because of _______

A

-southern
-greater ocean area

36
Q

Maritime Influence

A

locations near the coat (oceans or large bodies of water) have smaller temperature fluctuations during the year and more precipitaiton

37
Q

Continentality

A

locations far from the coast have greater temperature fluctuations during the year, up to 100

38
Q

Altitude

A

air temperature decreases with elevation

39
Q

Adiabatic Cooling

A

decrease in temperature due to expansion of air
distinct belts of vegetations corresponding to latitude or altitude

40
Q

Mountains can affect precipitation creates rain shadow on what side

A

when air mass flows into a mountain?
-the air rises and cools
-researches the dew point and precipitation occurs at higher altitudes
-cool, dry air flows over and down the other side
-warms as is descends so pulls moisture from the surface
-creates a rain shadow on the leewards side

41
Q

Rain Shadows

A

arid environments behind mountains
Great Basin, Gobi Desert, Great Plains

42
Q

Windward Side

A

higher rainfall
plant growth more vigorous, trees

43
Q

Leeward Side

A

lower rainfall
plant growth less vigorous, shrubby

44
Q

Not all climate patterns have regular temporal variation

A

little ice age
el nino

45
Q

What causes irregular variations in climate

A

changes in the shape of Earths orbit
changes in the tilt of Earths axis
variation in sunspot activity
magnetic storms on the sun

46
Q

Microclimates

A

organisms may experience conditions very different from the general climate conditions in an area

47
Q

Southern Slopes

A

warmer, drier, xeric plants

48
Q

Northern Slopes

A

cooler moister, mesic plants

ecology (9 decks)

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