ecology lecture 2

Question 1

biogeographic regions

Answer 1

based on taxonomic similarities of organisms living there, boundaries where species composition changes dramatically

Question 2

weather

Answer 2

short-term atmospheric conditions

Question 3

climate

Answer 3

long term average atmospheric conditions (temp, precipitation, wind), varies globally due to differing solar energy amounts

Question 4

rotation of earth

Answer 4

23.5 fixed axial tilt

Question 5

tropics vs temperate

Answer 5

solar radiation: right angle near equator, obtuse near poles (reflection, absorption, scattering)

Question 6

0 degrees

Answer 6

hot/wet, warm air rises, rain, low pressure (rain forest)

Question 7

30 degrees

Answer 7

hot/dry, dry air descends, high pressure (deserts)

Question 8

60 degrees

Answer 8

wet/cold air rises, rain, low pressure (temperate forests)

Question 9

90 degrees

Answer 9

cold/dry, descending air, high pressure (poles, cold deserts)

Question 10

transplant experiments

Answer 10

determine factors limiting distribution, organism must live and reproduce at least one gen, must have control

successful: potential range>actual
unsuccessful: potential range=actual

Question 11

dispersal limiting distribution

Answer 11

geographical barriers (larval barnacle/water current, tasmanian blue gum eucalyptus in california, black rat and mongoose in hawaii)

Question 12

habitat selection limiting distribution

Answer 12

behavior of individuals in selecting habitat (dragonflies/territory for mating, tree pipit/meadow pipit)