Unit 8: An Introduction to Ecology and Biosphere

What is ecology?

The scientific study of interactions between organisms and their environment.

How are ecological interactions organized?

From individual organisms up to the entire planet.

What is climate?

The long-term prevailing weather conditions in an area.

What are the four key components of climate?

Temperature, precipitation, sunlight, and wind.

What is macroclimate?

Climate patterns at the global, regional, or local level.

What affects macroclimate?

Changing angle of the sun, bodies of water, and mountains.

What is microclimate?

Fine-scale climate variations, like under a log compared to the forest floor.

What is climate change?

A long-term directional change in the global climate lasting 30+ years.

What causes climate change today?

Increasing carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases.

How does climate change affect species?

It can alter population sizes or species distribution; some species may not survive if they can’t move quickly enough.

What are biomes?

Major types of ecosystems covering broad geographic areas.

What controls the distribution of terrestrial biomes?

Climate (especially temperature and precipitation) and disturbance.

What is a climograph?

A plot showing temperature and precipitation in a region, important for understanding biomes.

What limits species distribution?

Ecological factors and evolutionary history.

What are biotic factors?

Living factors like predation, herbivory, parasites, pathogens, and competitors.

What are abiotic factors?

Nonliving factors like temperature, water, oxygen, salinity, sunlight, and soil.

How do biotic and abiotic factors affect organisms?

They influence reproductive fitness and act as forces of natural selection.