Introduction to Ecology Flashcards
what is ecology?
the study of the interactions between ORGANISMS and the ENVIRONMENT
what is the biosphere?
the part of earth that supports life - the sum of all ecosystems
what are the 5 levels of ecology?
- organismal ecology
- population ecology
- community ecology
- ecosystem ecology
- landscape ecology
what is organismal ecology?
the physiology, behavior, and history of a species: how does the organism interact with its environment?
what is population ecology?
factors that affect the population such as birth and death
what is community ecology?
interactions between populations of different species in an ecosystem, such as predation and competition
what is ecosystem ecology?
groups of organisms and the physical factors they interact with -> energy flow and chemical cycling
what is landscape ecology?
many connected ecosystems interacting
what is climate and what are its four components?
climate = long term weather conditions in a region:
1. temperature
2. precipitation
3. sunlight
4. wind
how is regional climate affected?
proximity to water = moderates climate
elevation = exposure to rain / shadow effect
latitude = accumulation of solar radiation
what are abiotic and biotic factors?
abiotic = non living, chemical factors, such as temp, light, water, wind
biotic = living factors, such as plants, animals, and bacteria
what are biomes and how are they characterized?
biomes = major life zones, characterized by
-temp
-precipitation
-vegetation types
-physical environment
what is the location and climate of tropical rainforests?
location: between tropic of cancer and capricorn
climate: lots of rain, cool temps, very wet
what is the location and climate of tropical dry forests?
location: between 10-25 degrees latitude
climate: found north/south of rainforests, typically have long bouts of dry climate
what is the location and climate of deserts?
location: between tropics of cancer/capricorn, 15-30 degrees latitude
climate: dry, more evaporation than precipitation, lots of nothing
what is the location and climate of the savanna?
location: typically in africa, near equator
climate: lots of rain for a few months, otherwise warm and dry
what is the location and climate of the chaparral?
location: around 30 degrees north/south
climate: hot dry summers, mild rainy winters
what is the location and climate of the temperate grasslands?
location: 30 degrees north/south of equator
climate: cold winters, warm summers, grass is dominant vegetation
what is the location and climate of the coniferous forests?
location: 50-60 degree latitudes
climate: cool and moist, typically rainy outside of summer. largest terrestrial biome
what is the location and climate of the temperate broadleaf forest?
location: china and east north america
climate: humid, hot summers/ warm winters. lots of pretty colourful trees :)
what is the location and climate of the tundra?
location: only found just below the arctic in sort of an inbetween zone
climate: chilly, long dark winters, lots of plant life but few animals
what does it mean for a biome to be terrestrial?
-there is no distinct “boundary” between biomes - they essentially blend into each other if nearby
how are aquatic biomes characterized?
physical / chemical environment
geological features
photosynthetic organisms
heterotrophs
what are the types of aquatic biomes? [8]
lakes
streams/rivers
wetlands
estuaries
intertidal zones
oceanic pelagic
coral reefs
marine benthic
what are the types of land biomes? [8]
tropical rain & dry forests
desert
savanna
chaparral
temperate grassland
coniferous forest
temperate broadleaf forest
tundra
