Lecture 30: Ecology I Flashcards
What does ecology translate to?
home study
What is ecology?
It is the study or interactions between organisms and their environment
What are the levels of organization in ecology?
- organism
- population
- community
- ecosystem
- landscape
- biosphere
What is an organism?
An individual living system
What is a population?
A group of individuals of the same species living in the same area
What is a community?
Populations of different species living in the same area
What is an ecosystem?
A community of organisms and physical factors in the area
What is a landscape?
A mosaic of connected ecosystems
What is a biosphere?
All ecosystems and landscapes on the planet
What is biotic?
Living components
What is abiotic?
Non-living components
What is climate?
Long term prevailing weather conditions in an area
What is climate considered?
Abiotic
What is weather?
Short term atmospheric conditions
What is climate?
An average atmospheric conditions over time
What is pressure?
Pressure exerted by weight of air molecules
What happens due to air pressure?
The sun warms the land and the hot air expands. Additionally, air accumulates high in the atmosphere and there is high pressure above the land. Also, the oceans cool and the cold air condenses and sinks. In addition, the air molecules lose form high atmosphere and there is low pressure above the ocean.
What are some factors that are a part of climate?
- weather
- climate
- air pressure
- wind
- zonal precipitation patterns
What is wind?
Horizontal movement of air. Air flows from area of high pressure to an area of low pressure.
What are zonal precipitation values?
- 0 degrees lat.= very wet
- 30 degrees lat.=dry
- 60 degrees lat.=wet
- 90 degrees lat(poles)=very dry
What are biomes?
major life zones
What are some features of tropical rainforests?
- equatorial, subequatorial
- high temp
- high precipitation
What are some features of savanna’s?
- equatorial, subequatorial
- grassland
- warm temp
- moderate precipitation
What are some features of deserts?
- 30 degree lat
- high temp
- low precipitation
What are some features of chaparral?
- ~30 degree lat
- shrubland
- warm temp
- moderate precipitation
What are some features of temperate broadleaf forest?
- ~30-60 degree lat
- temperate deciduous forest
- warm temperature
- high precipitation
What are some features of temperate grasslands?
- ~60 degree lat
- cold temp
- moderate precipitation
What are some features of coniferous forest?
- ~60 degree lat
- taiga
- cold temp
- high precipitation
What are some features of tundra’s?
- ~80 degree lat
- permafrost
- cold temp
- low precipitation
What is permafrost?
Where it is permanently frozen underground and for hundreds meters deep
What are some features of steppe/velds?
- ~60 degree lat
- grasslands
- cold temps
- low precipitation
What are some conclusions made about biomes?
- environment determines distribution of plant species in the biosphere
- distribution of plant species determines the community structure of the animals
