Ecology & Evolution SN2

A comprehensive set of vocabulary flashcards covering key concepts in Ecology and Biomes.

Ecology

The scientific study of interactions between organisms and their environment.

Biomes

Major life zones characterized by vegetation type (terrestrial biomes) or physical environment (aquatic biomes).

Climate

The long-term prevailing weather conditions in an area.

Abiotic components of climate

Non-living factors that affect climate, including temperature, precipitation, sunlight, and wind.

Solar radiation

The energy from the sun that drives climate variation on Earth.

Latitudinal variation in sunlight

The difference in sunlight intensity experienced at different latitudes on Earth.

Coriolis effect

The bending of wind patterns caused by Earth's rotation.

Atmospheric circulation

The large scale movement of air that influences climate and weather.

Continentality

The effect of location on a continent on the climate of a place.

Elevation

The height above sea level, which affects climate and vegetation types.

Tropical rainforest biome

Characterized by high rainfall (200-400 cm per year) and high diversity of plants and animals.

Desert biome

Characterized by less than 30 cm of rainfall per year, with highly variable temperatures.

Temperate deciduous forest biome

Characterized by 30-100 cm of rainfall annually and vertically layered vegetation adapted for seasonal changes.

Boreal forest biome

The largest terrestrial biome, dominated by coniferous trees, with precipitation that varies widely.

Tundra biome

Cold winters (below -30°C) and cool summers (less than 10°C), with permafrost preventing water infiltration.

Species distribution

The geographic area where a particular species lives.

Dispersal

The movement of individuals or gametes away from centers of high population density or area of origin.

Biotic factors

Living components that affect the distribution of organisms, such as predation, competition, and mutualism.

Abiotic factors

Non-living environmental factors affecting organisms, including temperature, water, and rocks.

Forest floor

The bottom layer of the forest, made of soil, dead plants, and small living plants.

Understory

The mid layer of a forest, consisting of younger trees and plants that are shade tolerant.

Forest canopy

The upper layer of a forest formed by the crowns of mature trees.

Rain shadow

An area of dry climate on the leeward side of a mountain that receives less precipitation.

Vegetation layers

The different levels of plant growth in a forest, including canopy, understory, and forest floor.

Elevation affects climate

As elevation increases, temperature drops, affecting vegetation types.

Average temperature

The mean temperature calculated over time, important for defining biomes.

Hydrological cycle

The cycle of water movement through the environment, crucial for sustaining biomes.