Intro to Ecology

Question 1

Ecology

Answer 1

study of how organisms interact with their environment

Question 2

Behavior

Answer 2

how individuals respond to stimulus

Question 3

Population Ecology

Answer 3

how individuals of the same species interact with each other

Question 4

Community Ecology

Answer 4

how species interact with other species

Question 5

Ecosystem Ecology

Answer 5

how organisms interact with non-living components of the environment

Question 6

Biosphere

Answer 6

entire set of interactions on a planet
- a global ecosystem made up of living organisms and nonliving factors that provide them with energy and nutrients

Question 7

Hadley Cell Cross-Section

Answer 7

atmosphere-ocean system is a very large heat engine
- establishes significant north-south air and precipitation gradients
- the north-south patterns become disrupted by the Coriolis effect to establish wind patterns seen as trade winds and westerlies

Question 8

Hadley Steps

Answer 8

1. Water becomes water vapor + rises with the heated air into the atmosphere
2. Rising air cools, causing precipitation in equatorial regions. Warm, dry air is pushed out of the way by expanding hot air below
3. Once cooled, the air falls back to Earth without accompanying moisture
4. High pressure created by falling air redistributed to locations of lower pressure

Question 9

The Coriolis Effect

Answer 9

the deflection of an object moving on or near the surface caused by the planet’s spin
- circulating air is deflected toward the right in the Northern hemisphere and toward the left in the Southern hemisphere

Question 10

Biome

Answer 10

large geographical region characterized by distinct climate, vegetation, and animal life
- when an ecosystem pattern repeats, it is identified as a biome
- classified according to temperature and precipitation

Question 11

Biome Types

Answer 11

1. Terrestrial
2. Aquatic
3. Marine

Question 12

Biome + Graphically

Answer 12

If we categorize biomes graphically along the axes of temp + precip, then we can use graphical organization to predict how environmental changes can alter the biome

Question 13

Biomes: Global Community Patterns

Answer 13

• where biomes are based on their latitude
• interruptions to this pattern occur when major geologic features run counter to latitude (EX: mountains)

Question 14

Upwelling

Answer 14

process where cold, nutrient-rich water from the ocean depths rise to the surface, re-placing displaced surface water
- warmer surface water moves offshore
- surface winds push surface water away from an area
- OCEANS AND COASTLINES

Question 15

Turnover

Answer 15

natural process that occurs in lakes and ponds when water layers mix due to changing temperatures
- WINTER: All cold water
- SPRING TURNOVER: Warm water rises, cold water sinks
- SUMMER STRATIFICATION: Hot water on told, cold water on bottom
- FALL TURNOVER: Cold water rises, warm water sinks