Ecosystems

Climate

Refers to the prevailing weather conditions in a particular region, dictated by temperature and rainfall.

Solar radiation distribution

Variations in solar radiation distribution due to the tilt of the Earth as it orbits the sun.

Tilt of the Earth

The Earth is on a slight tilt (23°), affecting the intensity of solar radiation received.

Equatorial Regions

Receive direct sunlight year-round

Polar Regions

Receive sunlight at an oblique angle, resulting in cooler temperatures.

Circulation patterns

The flow of warm and cold air creating three large circulation patterns in each hemisphere.

Westerlies

A strong wind pattern occurring between 30° and 60° latitude, moving from west to east.

Trade winds

Winds that blow toward the southwest in the Northern Hemisphere and northwest in the Southern Hemisphere.

Rain shadow

A dry area on the leeward side of a mountain due to the loss of moisture on the windward side.

Monsoon climate

A climate characterized by heavy rainfall during a seasonal shift when land heats more rapidly than ocean.

Lake Effect

Heavy snowfall that occurs when arctic winds blow over warm, moisture-laden Great Lakes.

Biome

Major type of terrestrial ecosystem characterized by specific climatic conditions and communities of plants and animals.

Tundra

A cold biome encircling the arctic region with minimal precipitation and a short growing season.

Coniferous forest

A forest biome characterized by cone-bearing trees adapted to long, cold winters.

Temperate deciduous forest

A forest in moderate climates with well-defined seasons and trees that lose leaves in fall.

Tropical rainforest

A biome near the equator with uniformly warm temperatures and the greatest species diversity.

Savanna

A grassland with some trees, characterized by a hot, rainy season followed by a cool, dry season.

Desert

A biome with very low annual rainfall, often featuring extreme temperatures and specially adapted plants.

Freshwater ecosystems

Ecosystems characterized by bodies of freshwater including lakes and rivers.

Estuary

A partially enclosed body of water where fresh and salt water mix, often serving as marine nurseries.

Wetlands

Areas that hold water during part of the year, supporting diverse plant and animal life.

Littoral zone

The area between high and low tidal marks on the seashore.

Pelagic division

The open waters of the ocean, which includes the neritic and oceanic provinces.

Neritic province

Shallow ocean waters over the continental shelf with abundant sunlight and nutrients.

Coral reefs

Highly diverse marine ecosystems found in warm shallow waters, formed by coral polyps.

Benthic division

The ocean floor, including various zones that host different organisms.

Abyssal zone

The deep ocean environment characterized by high pressure and cold temperatures.

Upwelling

A process where cold, nutrient-rich water rises to the surface, often enhancing marine productivity.

Eutrophication

The process where bodies of water become excessively enriched with nutrients, often leading to algal blooms.

Permafrost

A layer of permanently frozen subsoil found in tundra regions.

Chaparral

Mediterranean shrubland characterized by dry summers and a winter rainy season.

Nutrient-poor lakes

Oligotrophic lakes with low productivity due to limited organic matter.

Nutrient-rich lakes

Eutrophic lakes with high productivity and abundant organic matter.

Coastal ecosystems

Marine environments that include estuaries, wetlands, and the littoral zone.

Ground life in forests

Diverse organisms such as squirrels and small herbivores that dwell on the forest floor.

Epiphytes

Plants that grow on other plants, deriving moisture and nutrients from the air.

Detritus

Organic matter derived from the decomposition of plant and animal materials.

Aquatic ecosystems

Ecosystems that can be classified into freshwater and saltwater environments.

Bogs

Wetlands characterized by acidic waters and peat deposits, often nutrient-poor.

Mountain streams

High elevation freshwater bodies that flow down toward the sea, generally cold and low in nutrients.

Rocky shores

Coastlines characterized by solid rock and tidal influences, hosting diverse marine life.

Sandy shores

Beaches that provide habitat for organisms able to burrow or remain hidden.

Polar easterlies

Weaker winds blowing from east to west at latitudes higher than 60°.

Permafrost

A layer of soil that remains frozen year-round, common in the tundra.

Lakes vs Rivers

Lakes are standing bodies of freshwater, while rivers are flowing water systems.

Human impact on ecosystems

Activities related to urban expansion and agriculture that degrade natural environments.

Benthic organisms

Animals that live in or on oceanic soil, relying on detritus for survival.

Thermal stratification

The layering of water in lakes, influencing temperature and nutrient distribution.

Mangroves

Coastal ecosystems formed by salt-tolerant trees that protect shorelines.

H2S in hydrothermal vents

Hydrogen sulfide produced from seawater interacting with magma, supporting unique ecosystems.

Seabirds

Birds adapted to life in marine environments, often feeding on fish and marine invertebrates.

Symbiotic relationships in coral reefs

Interactions between corals and zooxanthellae, where both organisms benefit.

Canopy

The upper layer of trees in a forest where many animals live and feed.