Exam 3 Concept questions

Question 1

What physical characteristics of Earth allow for such diversity of life to exist?

Question 2

what is the main driver of atmospheric circulation?

Answer 2

spherical shape because it leads to latitudinal variations In temperature

Question 3

why is the 3 cell model a more accurate description of global patterns in atmospheric circulation?

Question 4

what biomes are associated with the rising and descending parts of the circulation cells?

Question 5

how does the tilt of the Earth, it’s rotation, and its orbit all contribute to seasons?

Question 6

how does the ITCZ zone and its seasonal movement influence global precipitation patterns?

Question 7

how does elevation affect local climate?

Question 8

how do large bodies of water effect coastal climate (land vs sea breeze)?

Question 9

what are 3 key factors to understanding populations?

Answer 9

distribution, population density, and population growth rates

Question 10

what determines dispersion and density?

Answer 10

resources, limiting resources, behavioral and social factors

Question 11

how does reproductive state influence population density?

Question 12

what is biotic potential?

Answer 12

maximum growth rate under ideal conditions

Question 13

r selective populations

Answer 13

common in fluctuating or unpredictable environments- keeping population In lag or exponential phases. small, short lifespan, mature early, no care

Question 14

k selective populations

Answer 14

common in relatively stable and predictable environment0 population is near K with minimal fluctuation size

Question 15

how is population size regulated?

Question 16

how is species richness influenced by latitude and topography?

Question 17

what factors are commonly used to quantify species diversity?

Question 18

how is species diversity and community stability linked?

Question 19

how do communities change over time?

Question 20

major trophic levels within a food chain

Question 21

why is a food web more representative of relationships in nature?

Question 22

what is the main reason why chain length in most food webs are short?

Question 23

how do ecological pyramids describe the distribution of number, biomass and energy between trophic levels?

Question 24

what influences primary production and why are ecologists interested in understanding factors that influence primary production?

Question 25

what areas on the planet experiences high vs low productivity?

Question 26

climate is affected by all (temp, solar radiation distribution, topography, soil type, rainfall) except

Answer 26

soil type

Question 27

why is demography important

Answer 27

population structure are influenced by various demographic features

Question 28

population demography allows us to…

Answer 28

understand species distribution, predict how species will change in the future, and establish conversation and management regulations that aid in preserving sustainable populations

Question 29

what does biotic potential depend on

Answer 29

age of maturity, chances of survival until maturity, number of offspring per reproductive event, frequency of reproductive events, availability of abiotic resources and potential pos or neg biotic interactions