Lecture 2 Flashcards
Physiological Ecosystems
study of interactions between organisms and the physical environment that influence their survival and persistence
Species distribution is determined by:
- resources & energy available
- environmental conditions
- biotic interactions
Climate envelope
range of conditions over which a species exists
Surface Area : Volume Ratio
larger SA = greater heat exchange; but harder to maintain internal body temperature
Thermoneutral zone
where BMR is maintained without cost
Response to temp stress (heat);
increase SA
drink water
go into shade
burrow
less movement
hyperventilation
higher altitudes
microclimates
Plant response to heat
transpiration
pubescence
Transpiration
how quickly water leaves the plant through stomatal openings
Pubescence
structural adaptation; hairs on the leafs surface that reflect solar energy, reducing water loss
Boundary Layer
zone of turbulent flow due to friction, next to the leaf surface
Which aspects of the environment control where plants live?
sunlight
temp
precipitation
nutrients
pH
Salinity of soil
other species
evolutionary history
Biomes
one of the major communities covering earth, distinguished by a predominant vegetation
Evapotranspiration
the rate at which an ecosystem loses water to the atmosphere
Potential Evapotranspiration (PET)
maximum possible evapotranspiration rate that occurs when the system has an abundant amount of water
PET is driven by _______
temperature
