1 Environment

Page 1: Introduction to Biology 305

• Overview of the course themes: the physical environment and the distribution of species.

Page 2: Words on Evolution and Ecology

• Brief mention of evolution and ecological generalities.

Page 3: Darwin’s Theory of Natural Selection

• Populations display variation in traits.

• Variations can be inherited.

• Populations tend to grow exponentially.

• However, population growth is limited by death rates.

• Individuals with traits well-suited to their environments (most fit) survive better.

• Over time, these advantageous traits become more common.

Page 4: Connection Between Ecology and Evolution

• Ecological relationships are influenced by historical evolutionary forces.

• Natural selection drives evolutionary forces, which often include ecological factors like predators and climate.

• Hence, ecology and evolution are closely intertwined.

Page 5: Hierarchical Definitions in Biology

• Individuals: defined by species.

• Populations: interbreeding individuals of a single species in one location.

• Communities: all populations within a particular area.

• Ecosystems: communities interacting with their physical environment.

Page 6: Importance of Graphs in Ecological Study

• Introduction to the significance of graphs in understanding ecological data.

Pages 7-10: Oxygen Consumption Graphs

• Figures illustrate oxygen consumption in relation to air temperature, distinguishing between active and torpid states.

Page 11: Exploring the Environment

• Focus on biological and physical aspects of the environment, particularly:

  • Soil

  • Water bodies (oceans, lakes, rivers)

  • Climate as a primary influencer of the physical environment.

Page 12: Factors Influencing Climate

• Solar radiation breakdown:

  • Types include ultraviolet, visible light, and infrared radiation.

• Latitude affects radiation intensity.

• Earth's rotation impacts climate due to:

  • Axis inclination (seasonality)

  • Angular momentum (Coriolis effect).

Page 13: Radiation Spectrum

• Details the radiation spectrum from gamma rays to radio waves, highlighting the visible spectrum.

Page 14: Radiation Intensity

• Discusses the impact of radiation and wavelength on climate.

Page 15: Irradiance and Wavelength

• Graphical data on irradiance measured in W/m² across different wavelengths; emphasizes visible and infrared radiation.

Page 16: Ozone and Ultraviolet Radiation

• Ozone's role in blocking UV radiation: crucial for protecting life.

Page 17-20: The Greenhouse Effect

• Describes how infrared radiation is trapped by greenhouse gases (CO₂, H₂O, CH₄).

• Incoming solar radiation interaction with the atmosphere and Earth's surface, leading to warming.

• The Keeling Curve illustrates historical CO₂ concentration trends.

Page 21: Albedo Effects

• Analysis of how different surfaces (e.g., sea ice, clouds) reflect solar radiation, impacting climate.

Page 22: Solar Radiation Intensity and Latitude

• Explanation of how solar radiation differs by latitude and its effects on seasons.

Page 23: Earth's Rotation and Climate

• Discussion on the relationship between Earth's rotation and climate patterns.

Page 24: Coriolis Effect

• Describes the impact of Earth's rotation on fluid movements:

  • Clockwise in the Northern Hemisphere

  • Counterclockwise in the Southern Hemisphere.

Page 25: Coriolis Deflection Illustration

• Diagrams illustrating the Coriolis effect on air and fluid movement.

Page 26: Air Flow Patterns

• Comparison of air flow on rotating versus non-rotating Earth with implications for climate and weather.

Page 27: Atmospheric Cells

• Description of the six cells formed by Earth's rotation and atmospheric dynamics (Hadley, Ferrell, Polar).

Page 28: Water Capacity in Air

• Relationship between air temperature and its water-holding capacity.

Page 29: Adiabatic Processes in Air Masses

• Key concepts in how air changes temperature with altitude (adiabatically warming or cooling).

Page 30: Desert Formation at 30° Latitude

• Describes conditions for desert formation due to dry descending air and high insolation.

• Comparison to polar air conditions at 90° latitude.

Page 31: Global Desert Distribution

• Overview of major global desert regions.

Page 32: Seasonal Differences in Solar Radiation

• Seasonal variations in solar radiation based on Earth's positioning relative to the sun.

Page 33: Hadley Cells and Seasonality

• How Hadley cells influence seasonal weather patterns.

Page 34: Coriolis and Ocean Currents

• Coriolis effects on ocean currents and their implications for climate and ecosystems.

Page 35: Global Ocean Surface Circulation

• Connectivity of ocean currents affecting global climate and ecosystems.

Page 36: Ocean Currents and Coastal Rainfall

• Contrasts between weather patterns on east versus west coast due to ocean currents.

Page 37: Major Ocean Currents Chart

• Diagram illustrating major ocean currents affecting climate and weather patterns.

Page 38-39: Deep Ocean Currents

• Discussion of deep currents being density-driven rather than wind-driven, playing a major role in global temperature regulation.

Page 40: The Conveyor Belt Model

• Illustrates the concept of ocean currents functioning as a conveyor belt affecting weather and climate.

Page 41: How Ocean Currents Operate

• Details the interaction between warm and cold water currents globally.

Page 42: Ocean Stratification

• Examines how ocean currents are stratified into warm and cold water layers.

Page 43: Ecosystems Influenced by Climate

• Biomes defined largely by temperature and precipitation patterns.

  • Emphasizes the importance of these factors in terrestrial vs. aquatic biomes.

Page 44: Global Climate Types

• Outlines various climate types across the globe.

Page 45: Local Effects on Ecosystems

• Discussion of local phenomena (e.g., upwelling, rain shadows) that influence ecosystem dynamics.

Page 46: Ocean Currents and Climate Impact

• How different ocean currents affect coastal climates and ecosystems.

Page 47: Trade Winds Impacting Climate

• The impact of a breakdown in trade winds on the Pacific equatorial countercurrent and regional climate effects.

Page 48: Normal vs. El Niño Years

• Variations in oceanic conditions between typical years and those during El Niño.

Page 49: Rain Shadow Effect

• Mechanism explaining how mountains create rain shadows that affect local climates.

Page 50: Precipitation Patterns and Mountains

• Illustrates how mountain ranges can dictate precipitation patterns independent of oceans.

Page 51: Wind Patterns and Rain Shadows

• Emphasizes that not all rain shadows are oriented west to east; location and trade wind patterns matter.

Page 52: Land vs. Sea Ecosystems

• Key differences between terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems, focusing on dimensions and how organisms interact.

Page 53: Types of Terrestrial Biomes

• Overview of different biomes based on latitude.

Page 54: World Biome Distribution

• A visual representation of the distribution of various biomes across the globe.

Page 55: Biome Examination

• Description of major biomes and their distinctive characteristics.

Page 56: Hemisphere Distribution

• Focus on how land and ocean distribution affects climate and ecosystems.

Page 57: Climate Diagram Metrics

• Explains how temperature and monthly precipitation vary across different locations.

Page 58: Overview of Terrestrial Biomes

• Recap of major terrestrial biomes across latitudinal ranges.

Page 59: Characteristics of Arctic Tundra

• Discusses the defining features of tundra ecosystems, such as permafrost presence.

Page 60: Structure of Arctic Tundra

• Illustrates differences between Arctic and Alpine tundra.

Page 61: Taiga Features

• Describes the characteristics of boreal forests (taiga).

Page 62: Mead of Temperate Deciduous Forest

• Details the dynamics and flora of temperate forests.

Page 63: Characteristics of Temperate Deciduous Forests

• Overview of broadleaf ecologies in temperate regions.

Page 64: Diversity in Forests

• Illustrates the variations within temperate rain forests and their ecological significance.

Page 65: Overview of Temperate Grasslands

• Describes the characteristics of grassland biomes.

Page 66: Prairie Ecosystems

• Highlights various types of North American grasslands.

Page 67: Deserts: Types and Dynamics

• Examination of energy input in desert ecosystems, including allochthonous vs. autochthonous systems.

Page 68: Drought and Adaptation in Deserts

• Discusses adaptations of plants to arid environments.

Page 69: Overview of Chaparral Ecosystems

• Describes Mediterranean vegetation, particularly in chaparral regions.

Page 70: Climatic Variations in Deserts

• Examines temperature differences between cold and hot deserts.

Page 71: Characteristics of Chaparral

• Analysis of typical flora and climate in chaparral ecosystems.

Page 72: Biodiversity in Tropical Forests

• Discusses the structure and diversity of tropical rainforests, emphasizing plant adaptations.

Page 73: Canopy Structure in Tropical Forests

• Explains how the layers of the canopy affect species distribution and ecosystem dynamics.

Page 74: Tropical Forest Layering

• Breakdown of vegetation strata within tropical rainforest ecosystems.

Page 75: Characteristics of Tropical Rainforests

• Overview of specific conditions and biodiversity found in tropical rainforests.

Page 76: Features of Tropical Savannas

• Discusses climate, vegetation, and animal life in savanna ecosystems.

Page 77: Adaptations in Tropical Savannas

• Examines physiological adaptations of tropical savanna flora and fauna.

Page 78: Defining Biomes by Temperature and Precipitation

• Importance of temperature and precipitation patterns in biome classification.

Page 79: Average Rainfall and Temperature

• Graphical representation of the relationships between rainfall and temperature across different biomes.

Page 80: Climate Pattern Influences

• Discusses the importance of both temperature and precipitation in influencing the types of biomes.

Page 81: Geographic Transition of Ecosystems

• Describes how major biomes change with latitude in the US, specifically noting transitions between them.

Page 82: Biome Variation by Altitude

• Examination of how both altitude and latitude influence biome characteristics.

Page 83: Tundra Types Across Latitudes

• Distribution of tundra across various altitudes and coordinates.

Page 84: Overview of Aquatic Ecosystems

• Classifications include marine, lentic (lakes, ponds), and lotic (rivers) systems.

Page 85: Terrestrial vs. Aquatic Dynamics

• Discusses how plant sizes and functions differ significantly between terrestrial and aquatic environments.

Page 86: Oceanic Light Penetration and Productive Zones

• Describes the light compensation level (LCL) and its significance for phytoplankton survival.

Page 87: Density Barriers in Ocean Structure

• Explains the effects of thermoclines and haloclines on nutrient mixing in oceans.

Page 88: Underwater Topography Determinants

• Discusses various submerged landforms and their ecological importance.

Page 89: Ocean Zones and Depth

• Classifies ocean depth zones and their respective biological significance.

Page 90: Coastal and Estuarine Dynamics

• Explains the zonation of aquatic life and the significance of depth in ecological roles.

Page 91: Aquatic Organism Classification

• Categories of aquatic organisms: plankton, nekton, and benthic.

Page 92: Lake Structures and Habitats

• Overview of different zones within a lake and their inhabitants, highlighting ecological interactions.

Page 93: Seasonal Changes in Lake Layers

• Seasonal temperature and oxygen profiles in lakes.

Page 94: Oligotrophic vs. Eutrophic Lakes

• Comparison of low-nutrient oligotrophic lakes and nutrient-rich eutrophic lakes.

Page 95: River Systems and Erosion

• Discusses the dynamics of river flow including processes of erosion and deposition.

Page 96: Energy and Nutrient Flows in Streams

• Analyzes input and outputs of energy and organic matter within stream ecosystems.

Page 97: Nutrient Spiraling in Lotic Systems

• Mechanism explaining nutrient transport and uptake efficiency in rivers.

Page 98-100: Spiraling Dynamics in Fluid Flow

• Examines how spiraling of nutrients occurs in different flow rates.

Page 101: Soil Formation and Composition

• Discusses how soils are formed from parent materials and their interactions with biological elements.

Page 102: Soil Particle Composition

• Overview of soil particle sizes and their impact on water retention and drainage.

Page 103: Wentworth Scale of Sediment

• Classification of sediment sizes based on the Wentworth scale.

Page 104: Sediment Deposition Processes

• Analysis of how particle size impacts deposition patterns in aquatic environments.

Page 105: Composition of Soil Types

• Discusses soil content, highlighting diversity in soil structure worldwide.

Page 106: Soil Triangles and Textural Classes

• Explanation of how to read soil composition triangles in terms of sandy and clayey soils.

Page 107: Soil Horizons

• Outlines the different soil horizons from surface litter to bedrock, significant for plant growth.

Page 108: Soil Function and Structure

• Relationship between soil composition and vegetation, including soil degradation processes.

Page 109-110: Profiles of World Soil Types

• Detailed exploration of various soil types and their distributions globally.

Page 111: Simplified Soil Food Web

• Overview of the interactions between soil organisms and their ecological roles.

Page 112: Nutrition and Soil Dynamics

• Highlights organic debris and its role within the soil ecosystem.

Page 113: Evaporation and Salt Dynamics

• Discusses how evaporation processes contribute to soil salinity and conditions affecting plant growth.