Chapter 52 Flashcards
Ecology
The scientific study of the interactions between organisms and the environment (includes living and non-living elements)
Interactions between organisms and the environment determine the _ of organisms and their abundance.
Distribution
Modern ecology includes _ and _.
Observation; experimentation
Ecologists work at levels ranging from individual organisms to the planet:
- Global ecology
- Landscape ecology
- Ecosystem ecology
- Community ecology
- Population ecology
- Organismal ecology
Climate
The long-term prevailing weather conditions in an area (abiotic)
Four major abiotic components of climate are:
- Temperature
- Precipitation
- Sunlight
- Wind
Macroclimate
Consists of patterns on the global, regional, and landscape level (ex: rainforest)
Microclimate
Consists of very fine patterns, such as those encountered by the community of organisms underneath a fallen log (ex: underneath a fallen log in a rainforest)
Global climate patterns are determined largely by _ and Earth’s movement in space.
Solar energy
The warming effect of the sun causes temperature variations, which drive _ and the circulation of air and water.
Evaporation
The _ at which sunlight hits Earth affects its intensity, the amount of heat and light per unit of surface area.
Angle
The intensity of sunlight is strongest in the _ (between 23.5 degrees north latitude and 23.5 degrees south latitude) where sunlight strikes Earth most directly.
Tropics
Climate is affected by:
- Seasonality
- Large bodies of water
- Mountains
Seasonal variations of light and temperature increase steadily toward the _.
Poles
_ at high latitudes is caused by a tilt of Earth’s axis of rotation and its annual passage around the sun.
Seasonality
Belts of wet and dry air around the _ shift throughout the year with the changing angle of the sun.
Equator
Changing _ patterns affect ocean currents.
Wind
Oceans, their currents, and large lakes moderate the climate of nearby _ environments.
Terrestrial
Currents flowing toward the equator carry _ water from the poles; currents flowing away from the equator carry _ water toward the poles.
Cold; warm
During the day, air rises over warm land and draws a cool breeze from the _ across the land.
Water