Principles of ecology Exam 1

Population

Groups of the same species that occupy a given area.

Community

All populations of different species living and interacting within an ecosystem.

Ecosystem

Physical conditions and array of organisms that co-exist within its confines.

Landscape

Area of land or water composed of a patchwork of communities and ecosystems.

Biome

Broad scale regions dominated by similar types of ecosystems.

Biosphere

Thin layer surrounding the earth that supports all life.

Ecology

The scientific study of relationships between organisms and their environment.

Environmentalism

An emotional response rooted in family concerning the environment.

Hypothesis

A proposed answer to a question that must be testable through observations and experiments.

Model

Predict behavior or response using a set of explicit assumptions; aids in hypothesis testing.

Thermal Gradient

Changes in temperature and precipitation with altitude affecting vegetation types and species distribution.

Rain Shadow Effect

A pattern in which greater rainfall occurs on the windward side of a mountain compared to the leeward side, primarily due to orographic lift.

Upwelling

Wind-driven movement of surface waters that brings deep, cold, nutrient-rich water to the surface, enhancing marine productivity.

Ecological Study

An examination of the interactions between organisms and their environment, often conducted at various levels such as individual, population, or community.

Biodiversity

The variety of life in a particular habitat or ecosystem, essential for maintaining ecological balance.

Abiotic Factors

Non-living chemical and physical parts of the environment that affect living organisms and the functioning of ecosystems.

Ecosystem Services

Benefits provided by ecosystems to humans, including clean air, water purification, pollination, and climate regulation.

Biomes

Large ecological areas on the Earth’s surface, with flora and fauna adapting to their environment.

Ecological Interaction

The relationships between organisms within an ecosystem, including predation, competition, and symbiosis.

Conservation Biology

The scientific study aimed at protecting species, their habitats, and ecosystems from excessive rates of extinction and erosion of biotic interactions.

Ecological Study at the Individual Level

A physiological study of a single redwood tree as it develops from seed to adult.

Thermal Belts

Changes in vegetation associated with temperature differences along an altitudinal gradient.

Rain Shadow Effect

Increased rainfall on the windward side of a mountain range compared to the leeward side, primarily due to adiabatic cooling and heat conduction.

Latitudinal Gradients

Temperature and precipitation changes along gradients that influence the distribution of organisms.

Classification Factors for Terrestrial Biomes

Precipitation and temperature.

Importance of Studying Climate in Ecology

Climate determines organism distribution and ecosystem interactions, influencing biodiversity and ecological processes.

Population

Groups of the same species that occupy a given area.

Community

All populations of different species living and interacting within an ecosystem.

Ecosystem

Physical conditions and an array of organisms that coexist within its confines.

Landscape

Area of land or water composed of a patchwork of communities and ecosystems.

Biome

Broad scale regions dominated by similar types of ecosystems.

Biosphere

Thin layer surrounding the Earth that supports all life.

Ecology vs Environmentalism

Ecology is the scientific study of relationships between organisms and their environment, while environmentalism is a response rooted in values.

Hypothesis

A proposed answer to a question that must be testable through observations and experiments.

Model

Predicts behavior or response using explicit assumptions, aiding in hypothesis testing.

Diversity

The variety of different species within a given area or ecosystem.

Risk

The possibility of loss or harm related to the survival of species or ecosystems.

Endemism

The ecological state of a species being unique to a specific geographic location.

Extinction

The cessation of existence of a species, leading to its permanent disappearance.

Thermal Inertia

An organism's ability to retain heat, influenced by size, mass, and insulation.

Light Penetration in Water

Light intensity decreases with depth, affecting photosynthesis and aquatic life distribution.

Hadley Cells

Large-scale atmospheric circulation patterns between the equator and 30° latitude influencing heat and moisture distribution.

El Niño

A climate phenomenon that weakens trade winds, reducing nutrient upwelling and impacting marine productivity.

La Niña

A climate phenomenon that strengthens trade winds, increasing nutrient-rich upwelling and boosting productivity.

Thermohaline Circulation

Global ocean current system driven by temperature and salinity differences, regulating Earth's climate