Key Concepts in Ecology and Biogeography

Abiotic

nonliving components of the environment including its physical and chemical characteristics.

Albedo effect

the solar radiation reflected by the surface of Earth.

Atmosphere

a thin layer of gases surrounding Earth composed of nitrogen gas, oxygen, argon, carbon dioxide, and traces of hydrogen, helium, ozone, methane, and many other gases.

Biogeographic regions

distinct regions of biota characterized by different species that occur at the continental-scale.

Biogeography

the scientific study of the distribution and diversity of organisms across Earth.

Biome

groupings of ecologically similar organisms shaped by the environment where they are found. In terrestrial biomes, the classification is based on the dominant plants found, which depends on temperature and precipitation.

Climate

the long-term average atmospheric conditions (temperature, precipitation, humidity, wind direction and velocity) at a particular place over a longer time (years to millennia).

Continental drift

movement of continents across Earth's surface over time.

Coriolis effect

the deflection of moving air or water because of differences in Earth's rotational speed at different latitudes.

Ecology

the scientific study of the interrelationships of organisms with their living (biotic) and nonliving (abiotic) environments.

Evapotranspiration

transpiration from plants as a byproduct of photosynthesis.

Greenhouse gases

gases in the atmosphere that trap heat radiating from Earth's surface.

Gyres

large-scale circular ocean currents caused by prevailing winds and Earth's rotation.

Heat island

urban area that is significantly higher than surroundings due to buildings/infrastructure emitting solar radiation.

Prevailing winds

the circulation of air (wind) that moves across the Earth's surface in a predominately single direction.

Rain shadow

the relatively dry area on the down-wind side of a mountain range.

Solar radiation

energy emitted from the Sun; factor driving global climate patterns.

Theory of Island Biogeography

a theory proposing that the number of species on an island (or in another geographically defined and isolated area) represents a balance, or equilibrium, between the rate at which species colonize the island and the rate at which resident species go extinct.

Upwelling

a process by which offshore winds in combination with the Coriolis effect push warmer surface water away from the shore, allowing cold, nutrient-rich water from deeper waters to rise to the surface. Result in high productivity and rich ecosystems.

Vicariance

the evolutionary separation of species due to a barrier that results in the geographic isolation of species that once were connected to one another.

Weather

the short-term state of atmospheric conditions (temperature, precipitation, humidity, wind direction and velocity) at a particular place and time.