Lec 2 -Cycles, food webs, population Flashcards
What is ecology?
“The scientific study of the processes influencing the
distribution and abundance of organisms, the
interactions among organisms, and the interactions
between organisms and the transformation and flux of
energy and matter.”
Autecology
the biology of an individual organism or
species and how it interacts with the environment.
Population ecology
drivers of species abundance,
spatial pattern, and population growth rates.
Community ecology
relationships among species,
species abundance in relation to other species,
consumptive, competitive, and facultative interactions.
Ecosystem ecology
relationships between species and
the abiotic environment; how species respond to and
influence biogeochemical cycling.
How species respond to and influence climate.
Weather:
Instantaneous, specific to time and place
Climate
Long-term average of atmospheric conditions (30 yr)
How do plants influence climate?
Albedo
Wind
Hydrologic Cycle
Atmospheric Composition
Albedo:
Incoming solar radiation is absorbed by the ground, variably
heating the surface. Wind travels from areas of high to low
pressure.
OR the proportion of the incident light or radiation that is reflected by a surface, typically that of a planet or moon.
Surface roughness (friction):
Provides plenty of surface area that can alter wind speed and
direction.
Hydrologic cycle involves:
Moisture absorption and transpiration
Evaporation of water from plants.
Infiltration
Root mass, well developed soil, and organic matter all
help to alter water infiltration. (outflow less erratic)
Erosion and siltation
Help fortify the soil, reducing erosion and siltation.
Biogeochemical cycles
Element flows between biotic and abiotic pools.
For a given element all ecosystems experience:
Inputs
Outputs
Internal cycling
Primary Productivity
determines the amount of energy available within an ecosystem.
Population properties
density, age structure, dispersion
