Ecological Scale & the Physical Environment

These flashcards cover key vocabulary related to ecology, biomes, climate factors, and their interactions, based on the lecture notes.

Ecology

The study of how organisms interact with each other and their environment.

Biosphere

A thin zone surrounding the Earth where all life exists, from 5 km below the land surface to over 10 km up into the atmosphere.

Biome

A major ecological community defined by its vegetation, climate, and geographic location.

Ecosystem

A community of living organisms interacting with their environment, including non-living components.

Population ecology

The study of how the number and distribution of individuals in a population change over time.

Community ecology

The study of how different species in a community interact with each other.

Abiotic factors

Nonliving components that influence the environment, such as temperature, moisture, and sunlight.

Biotic factors

Living components that influence the environment, such as plants, animals, and microorganisms.

Climate

The prevailing, long-term weather conditions found in a particular area.

Weather

Specific short-term atmospheric conditions of temperature, precipitation, sunlight, and wind.

Hadley cell

A major atmospheric circulation pattern that influences global precipitation distribution, characterized by rising warm air at the equator.

Rainshadow effect

A phenomenon where mountains block the passage of rain-producing weather systems, creating dry conditions on the leeward side.

Greenhouse gases

Molecules with at least three atoms that can absorb and remit solar radiation, contributing to the greenhouse effect.

Seasonality

The variation in climate and weather conditions that occur across seasons due to the tilt of the Earth.

Solar radiation

Energy emitted by the sun in the form of light and heat, essential for driving the Earth's climate system.

Climate zones

Regions defined by similar climate characteristics, such as equatorial, temperate, and polar.