EX1: Global Ecology

ecology

study of interactions between biotic and abiotic components

biotic

“living” organisms

abiotic

“not alive” physical environment

macroclimate

long-term weather patterns on global and landscape level

microclimate

long-term localized patterns experienced by communities

main components of climate

sunlight, wind, precipitation, temperature

convective circulation

Thermal mixing of air

cool air

denser and sinks, absorbs moisture

warm air

releases moisture and rises

climate patterns

determined by solar energy, convective currents, Earth’s movement through space

Coriolis effect

causes prevailing winds

upwelling

cold nutrient rich water is pushed up to surface; carries organic nitrogen and phosphorous

El Nino

air pressure decreases in eastern Pacific, allowing warm water to stay at surface, leads to decreased upwelling

La Nina

cold water rises to surface, extends westward more than normal when westward winds are stronger than normal

seasons

caused by tilt of earth’s axis

equinox

spring and fall, equal days and nights

solstice

summer and winter, northern hemisphere tilts toward sun in summer, longest day and shortest night; opposite true in winter

rain shadow

warm, moist air approaching mountain rises; then cools, releasing moisture at windward side of peak; cool air descends, absorbs moisture which creates deserts

1000 meter increase

6 degrees drop in temp

temperature

organisms function best within specific range; functioning outside requires additional energy expenditure, plasticity

sunlight

light access limits distribution of photosynthetic organisms; too much light causes DNA damage

water

all cells require for most metabolic activities; adaptations prevent loss

salinity

salt concentration affects water balance; aquatic species often restricted to fresh or saltwater depending ability to manage salt concentration, osmotic pressure

oxygen

some species adapted to anaerobic environment