Ecology

Ecology: study of the mechanisms that determine the distribution and abundance of organisms. (where they are and how many)

Distribution

-can they survive there?

—conditions (experienced)

—resources (consumed)

-can they get there?

—dispersal

Conditions - temperature and rainfall most important

-temperature = decreases with latitude and altitude

—angle of incidence (curvature)

—directly heats equator regardless of tilt

—heats extreme latitude/altitude less

-adiabatic changes

—relationship between temperature and pressure

decrease in temperature = decrease in pressure

0 degrees latitude - tropical rainforest

30 degrees latitude (north and south) - desert

same causal mechanism of adiabatic cooling and heating

1. hot air rises by convection

2. deceased pressure causes decreased temperature

3. water condenses, precipitation

4. cool air descends (convection)

5. increased pressure causes temperature increase

6. hot, dry air at 30 degrees (desert)

As wind is blown upward following the mountain’s peak, it goes through adiabatic cooling and then heating, causing a rain shadow.

-rotating belts of air in between latitude periods

coriolis effect = perception

-clockwise deflection in northern hemisphere

-counter clockwise in southern hemisphere