Ecology and the Biosphere: Key Concepts and Biomes

Organismal Ecology

Study of individual organisms and their interactions.

Population Ecology

Focus on groups of individuals of the same species.

Community Ecology

Interactions among populations of different species.

Ecosystem Ecology

Study of communities and their physical environments.

Landscape Ecology

Interactions between multiple ecosystems.

Global Ecology

Study of the biosphere and global processes.

Biogeography

Study of species distribution and abiotic factors.

Abiotic Factors

Non-living environmental components affecting ecosystems.

Latitude

Geographic coordinate affecting climate and biodiversity.

Longitude

Geographic coordinate defining east-west position.

Rain Shadow

Dry area on leeward side of mountains.

Ecotone

Transition area between two biomes.

Tropical Forest

High rainfall and temperature, diverse species.

Desert

Low precipitation, extreme temperature variations.

Savanna

Grasslands with scattered trees and seasonal rainfall.

Chaparral

Dry summers, wet winters, shrub-dominated.

Temperate Grasslands

Seasonal rainfall, dominated by grasses.

Northern Coniferous Forest

Largest biome, dominated by conifer trees.

Tundra

Cold, low biodiversity, permafrost present.

Temperate Broadleaf Forest

Seasonal rainfall, diverse plant and animal life.

Marine Biomes

Aquatic ecosystems with high salt concentrations.

Freshwater Biomes

Aquatic ecosystems with low salt concentrations.

Zonation in Aquatic Biomes

Layering of habitats in aquatic environments.

Oligotrophic Lakes

Nutrient-poor, oxygen-rich water bodies.

Eutrophic Lakes

Nutrient-rich, oxygen-poor water bodies.

Wetlands

Water-saturated areas supporting diverse life.

Estuaries

Transition zones between rivers and oceans.

Intertidal Zone

Area between high and low tide.

Coral Reef

Diverse marine ecosystem built from coral.

Marine Benthic Zone

Seafloor environment, varies from shallow to deep.