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ecology exam 1 > module 2 ecology > Flashcards

module 2 ecology Flashcards

1
Q

Weather

A

occurs at a specific place/time

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2
Q

weather It is the combination of:

A 
temperature
humidity
precipitation
wind
cloudiness
any other atmospheric conditions
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3
Q

Climate

A

is the long-term average pattern of weather

Local, regional, global

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4
Q

Solar radiation is
Shorter wavelength
longer wavelength

A

electromagnetic energy
= higher energy
=lower energy

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5
Q

Albedo
white sand
black sand

A

Reflectivity of a surface.

Some energy that reaches Earth is reflected back into space
high albedo
low albedo

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6
Q

Shortwave Radiation

A

Incoming Radiation from Sun

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7
Q

Terrestrial longwave radiation

A

Some absorbed by the surface.

In turn, Emitted back into space.

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8
Q

Greenhouses gases

A

absorb longwave radiation
carbon dioxide
water vapor
methane

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9
Q

greenhouse effect

A

Help to keep the surface of the Earth warm (the greenhouse effect)

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10
Q

Net radiation
determines
earth average=

A

incoming solar (shortwave) radiation - outgoing terrestrial (longwave) radiation
suface temp
zero

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11
Q

Average annual surface net radiation equator vs. poles because of

A

Higher at Equator
Lower at Poles
Angle of Incidence
Amount of Atmosphere

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12
Q

Distinct pattern of global temperatures. poles and equator

A

Cool, Dry at Poles

Hot, Moist At Equator

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13
Q

Earths’s Orbit

A

One year for the Earth to orbit once around the sun.

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14
Q

Earth’s Rotation

A

One day for the Earth to rotate on its axis.

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15
Q

Earth’s Tilt

A

Axis has a tilt of 23.5°

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16
Q

Equinoxes

sun is directly overhead where

A 
“equal nights”
2 equinoxes each year
Vernal (spring) 
Autumnal (fall)
Sun is directly overhead at the equator
all places have 12 hours of darkness and 12 hours of light
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17
Q

summer solstice

A 
June 22
Northern Summer/Southern Winter
Northern Hemisphere tilted toward sun
Sun is directly overhead at the Tropic of Cancer (23.5° N)
Northern Hemisphere
days longer & temperatures warmer
Summer solstice 
About June 22nd 
Longest day in Northern Hemisphere
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18
Q

Winter solstice

A

dec 22.

Southern Summer/Northern Winter
Southern Hemisphere tilted toward sun
Sun is directly overhead at the Tropic of Capricorn (23.5° S)
Winter solstice 
Shortest day in Northern Hemisphere 
About December 22nd
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19
Q

Seasonality equator vs. poles

A
  • Regions at equator show very little seasonal variation in temperature.
  • Regions at the Poles show the most seasonal variation in day length (zero to 24 hours) and solar radiation
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20
Q

surplus radiation

A

Incoming > outgoing radiation

21
Q

deficit radiation

A

Outgoing > incoming radiation

22
Q

Imbalance results in global pattern of heat redistribution

mainly through

A

Mainly through convection

23
Q

Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ)

A 
Warm air at equator rises 
leads to low pressure at surface
air flows from N and S to the equator
Rising air at equator moves N and S 
toward poles 
Cools & sinks
leads to high pressure at surface
Movement creates cells of circulation
24
Q

speed of rotation is faster at the ____ and slower at the _____

A

Earth is not stationary
Speed of rotation is
faster at the equator
slower at the poles

25
Q

Coriolis effect

A

Northern Hemisphere
Deflection to the right
Southern Hemisphere
Deflection to the left

26
Q

Equator

equatorial low

A 
warm air rises
low pressure at surface (equatorial low)
Result is warm air:
Rises 
Spreads north and south
cools as it moves
27
Q

Pa Hadley Cell

A

circle cell same as tropical convergenze zone

28
Q

trade winds

A

deflected winds

29
Q

Evaporation

condensation

A

requires energy

releases energy

30
Q

Saturation vapor pressure (VP)
what capacity of air
if this is exceed what occurs

A

water vapor capacity of air
amount of pressure exerted by water vapor at saturation
if this is exceeded, condensation occurs

31
Q

Relative humidity =

A

(Current VP/Saturation VP) × 100

32
Q

Near equator

A

Rising air masses of very warm, humid air
Cool and release precipitation
Very rainy

33
Q

30° N and S

A

Falling air masses of dry, cool air

warm and absorb surface moisture - dry

34
Q

50° to 60° N and S

A

Rising air masses of warm, humid air at

cool and release precipitation - rainy

35
Q

More rain in________ Hemisphere because of

A

southern hemisphere

Greater ocean area

36
Q

Maritime influence

A

Locations near the coast (oceans or large bodies of water) have smaller temperature fluctuations during the year and more precipitation

37
Q

Continentality

A

Locations far from the coast have greater temperature fluctuations during the year, up to 100°C

38
Q

Altitude

A

Air Temperatures Decrease with Elevation

39
Q

Adiabatic Cooling

A

Decrease in Temperature due to expansion of air

Distinct belts of vegetation corresponding to latitude or altitude

40
Q

Mountains can affect precipitation

creates rain shadow on what side

A

When an air mass flows into a mountain

the air rises and cools (windward side)
reaches the dew point and precipitation occurs at higher altitudes
cool, dry air flows over and down the other side (leeward)
warms as it descends, so pulls moisture from the surface

Creates a rain shadow on the leeward side

41
Q

Rain Shadows

A

Arid environments Behind Mountains

Great Basin, Gobi Desert, Great Plains

42
Q

Windward side

A

higher rainfall

plant growth more vigorous, trees

43
Q

Leeward side

A

lower rainfall

plant growth less vigorous, shrubby

44
Q

Not all climate patterns have regular temporal variation

A
  • little ice age

- el nino

45
Q

what causes irregular variations in climate

A

changes in the shape of Earth’s orbit
changes in the tilt of Earth’s axis
variation in sunspot activity
magnetic storms on the sun

46
Q

Microclimates

A

Organisms may experience conditions very different from the general climate conditions in an area

47
Q

southern slopes

A

-warmer, drier

xeric plants

48
Q

northern slopes

A

cooler moister

mesic plants

ecology exam 1 (4 decks)

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