Ecology and Biomes Lecture Review

Comprehensive flashcards covering the definitions of ecology sub-disciplines, environmental factors, and the characteristics of terrestrial and aquatic biomes based on the lecture notes.

Ecology

The study of interactions between organisms and their environment.

Biotic

Interactions specifically between organisms.

Abiotic

Interactions between organisms and their non-living environment.

Physiological ecology

Investigates how organisms are physiologically adapted to their environment.

Behavioral ecology

Investigates how the behaviors of an organism contribute to its survival and reproductive success.

Population ecology

Focuses on a groups of a species.

Species interactions

Focuses on interactions such as predation, mutualism, and competition.

Community ecology

Focuses on how species interact and form communities.

Ecosystem ecology

Studies the flow of energy and cycling of chemical elements among communities, organisms, and environments.

Ecosystem

An interacting system of a community of organisms and the environment in which they live.

Microclimate

Local variations of the climate within a given area.

Wind

An environmental factor that amplifies effects of cool temperature and water loss, creating pounding waves and causing disturbances.

Photic zones

Areas where light can reach aquatic plants allowing for photosynthesis.

Salinity

An environmental factor that affects osmosis and prevents plant growth.

pH

Environmental factor that affects decomposition and nutrient availability, and influences mortality (e.g., acid rain killing plants).

Adiabatic cooling

The process where increased elevation leads to a decrease in air pressure; for example, in mountains.

Rain shadow

An area where precipitation is less.

Tropical rain forest

Biome characterized by heavy rain ($230\,cm$), hot temperatures, and poor, shallow soils.

Tropical deciduous forest

Biome characterized by heavy rain ($130-280\,cm$), hot temperatures, and poor, shallow soil.

Temperate rain forest

Biome with rain around $200\,cm$, temperatures around $81^{\circ}F$, and which rarely freezes.

Temperate deciduous forest

Biome with rain around $75-200\,cm$ and temperatures that do not fall below $-10^{\circ}F$.

Temperate coniferous forest

Biome with rainfall of $30-70\,cm$ and cold temperatures.

Tropical grasslands

Biome with $50-130\,cm$ of rainfall and temperatures between $75-85^{\circ}F$.

Cold desert

Biome with rainfall less than $25\,cm$, high temperatures of $70-79^{\circ}F$ in summer, and freezing temperatures in winter.

Hot desert

Biome with rainfall less than $30\,cm$, temperatures below freezing at night, and $122^{\circ}F$ during the day.

Tundra

Biome with rainfall generally less than $25\,cm$, summer temperatures of $37-54^{\circ}F$, and winter temperatures of $-26^{\circ}F$.

Mountain ranges

Areas where precipitation and temperatures vary by location and elevation.

Intertidal area

Aquatic biome where the sea meets the land.

Coral reef

A sunlit, warm area of the ocean.

Pelagic zone

Aquatic zone at a depth of $4,000\,meters$.

Lentic habitats

Aquatic biomes characterized by still, deep water.

Lotic habitats

Aquatic biomes characterized by flowing water.

Wetland

An area saturated with surface water and ground water.