ecological hierarchy

biotic factors

living factors of an ecosystem

abiotic factors

non - living factors of an ecosystem

anthropogenic influences

the influence of human activity or interaction with the natural world

biosphere

entire planet, with all its organisms and physical environments

species

group of similar organisms that can breed and produce fertile offspring

biome

group of ecosystems that share similar climates and typical organisms

climate

patterns and averages of temperature, precipitation, clouds, and winder over many years.

- frequency of extreme weather events

weather

short - term changes in temperature, precipitation, clouds and wind. Varies from day to day.

photic zone

light

aphotic zone

no light

estuary

mix of fresh and salt water

population

group of individuals that BELONG TO THE SAME SPECIES and live in the SAME AREA

community

assemblage of DIFFERENT POPULATIONS that live together in defined area

ecosystem

all the organisms that live in a place, together with their nonliving environment

- biotic & abiotic factors

greenhouse effect

process in which certain gases (carbon dioxide, methane, & water vapor) trap sunlight in Earth's atmosphere as heat

- species (organism)

- population

- community

- ecosystem

- biome

- biosphere

ecological hierarchy

marine ecosystems

described by salinity, depth, temperature, flow rate, & concentrations of dissolved nutrients

- intertidal zone

- costal ocean

- open zone

- photic zone = light

- aphotic zone = no light

marine ecosystems: divided into zones

- rivers

- streams

- lakes & ponds

- freshwater wetlands

- estuaries (mix of fresh & salt water)

freshwater ecosystems

- abiotic factors

- biotic factors

- anthropogenic influences

- global changes

What affects the hierarchy?

- surface temperature

- CO2 emissions

- sea level rise

- frequency of extreme weather events

global changes

powered and shaped by the total amount of solar energy retained in the biosphere as heat, and by the unequal distribution of that heat between the equator and the poles

- Earth's average temperature is determined by the balance between the amount of heat that stays in the atmosphere and the amount of heat that is lost to space

global climate system

- Climate change involves changes in temperature, clouds, winds, patterns and amounts of precipitation, and the frequency and severity of extreme weather events.

- Earth's climate zones are produced by equal distribution of the solar energy across Earth's surface. The tilt of the Earth's axis causes this distribution to change over the course of a year, resulting in seasons

global climate system continued