Lecture 24: Intro to Ecology

What is ecology?

The scientific study of the interactions between organisms and their environment

What is a climate?

the long term prevailing weather conditions of a given area

What is the sunlight intensity in latitudinal variation?

There is less heat at the poles compared to the equator. The tropics and the poles tend to be colder while the equator tends to be the hottest

What is the sunlight intensity in seasonal variation?

During June Solstice the northern hemisphere has its longest days and shortest nights whereas the southern hemisphere has the shortest days and longest nights, During September equinox the equator directly faces the sun so all hemispheres have 12 hours of day and night and the hemispheres do not face the sun, During December solstice southern hemisphere has its longest days and shortest nights whereas the northern hemisphere has the shortest days and longest nights, and during the March equinox the equator directly faces the sun so all hemispheres have 12 hours of day and night and the hemispheres do not face the sun

Describe the global precipitation patterns

high temperatures at the tropics evaporate waters from the earth surfaces: hot air will evaporate the water from earth surfaces —> the hot air gets moist and it begins to rises —> to begins to cool and it cannot hold the water —> it condenses and rain will fall —> the cool air is dry —> it is going to descend 30 degrees north from the equator —> absorbs water from land creating a dry environment at 30 degrees north from the equator. The highest amount of rainfall at the equator and tropics, moderate amount of rainfall at the temperate zones, and least rainfall at the poles from 30 degrees north and south of the equator

Describe the air circulation

wind flow from east to west in the tropics, wind flows from west to east from the temperate zones

How do oceans moderate the temperature of coastal communities on hot days?

the land is warmer than the ocean —> air over land heats up and rises —> cool air from the ocean is drawn toward land

How do oceans moderate the temperature of coastal communities on cold days?

land cools down faster than the ocean —> warm air over ocean rises and moves towards land —> cool air from land is drawn toward the ocean

How do large bodies of water and mountains affect climate?

cool air above water flows inland and it will warm up and absorb moisture from the land —> it encounters mountains it will rise and cools so it will condense and will rain because it cannot hold enough water (Windward side) (WEST SIDE) —> at the peak of the mountain it is cool & dry and it will descend —> it warms up and will absorbs moisture from the land (Leeward side) (EAST SIDE)

How can abiotic factors affect plant distribution?

plant will need to adapt to extreme abiotic conditions to thrive if they live in conditions that are not favorable to them