Exam 3 Concept questions Flashcards
What physical characteristics of Earth allow for such diversity of life to exist?
what is the main driver of atmospheric circulation?
spherical shape because it leads to latitudinal variations In temperature
why is the 3 cell model a more accurate description of global patterns in atmospheric circulation?
what biomes are associated with the rising and descending parts of the circulation cells?
how does the tilt of the Earth, it’s rotation, and its orbit all contribute to seasons?
how does the ITCZ zone and its seasonal movement influence global precipitation patterns?
how does elevation affect local climate?
how do large bodies of water effect coastal climate (land vs sea breeze)?
what are 3 key factors to understanding populations?
distribution, population density, and population growth rates
what determines dispersion and density?
resources, limiting resources, behavioral and social factors
how does reproductive state influence population density?
what is biotic potential?
maximum growth rate under ideal conditions
r selective populations
common in fluctuating or unpredictable environments- keeping population In lag or exponential phases. small, short lifespan, mature early, no care
k selective populations
common in relatively stable and predictable environment0 population is near K with minimal fluctuation size
how is population size regulated?
how is species richness influenced by latitude and topography?
what factors are commonly used to quantify species diversity?
how is species diversity and community stability linked?
how do communities change over time?
major trophic levels within a food chain
why is a food web more representative of relationships in nature?
what is the main reason why chain length in most food webs are short?
how do ecological pyramids describe the distribution of number, biomass and energy between trophic levels?
what influences primary production and why are ecologists interested in understanding factors that influence primary production?
what areas on the planet experiences high vs low productivity?
climate is affected by all (temp, solar radiation distribution, topography, soil type, rainfall) except
soil type
why is demography important
population structure are influenced by various demographic features
population demography allows us to…
understand species distribution, predict how species will change in the future, and establish conversation and management regulations that aid in preserving sustainable populations
what does biotic potential depend on
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
