Page 1: Factors Affecting Temperature

• Affected by:

  • Light intensity

  • Latitude

  • Altitude

  • Ocean currents

  • Distance from large water bodies

Page 2: Temperature as a Key Factor

• Temperature has the strongest influence on organism distribution as it determines the physical state of water.

• Life exists between -200 to 100°C, normal life in -10 to +50°C.

• Organisms like nematodes, rotifers, tardigrades can withstand extreme temperatures.

• Thermus aquaticus lives at >90°C, found in Yellowstone geysers.

Page 3: Temperature Effects on Organisms

On Cellular Level

• Minimum/maximum temperatures can be lethal; too cold leads to ice formation, too hot causes protein coagulation.

On Metabolism

• Metabolic activities regulated by enzymes influenced by temperature; increasing temperature boosts metabolism until a limit.

  • Example: Liver arginase activity peaks at 48°C.

On Reproduction

• Various species have specific temperatures for gametogenesis.

  • Example: Grasshoppers produce more eggs at 32°C than at 22°C.

On Growth and Distribution

• Growth rates depend on temperature; e.g., trouts grow best in water >10°C.

Page 4: Temperature Influence on Morphology and Behavior

On Colouration

• Climate affects pigmentation; warm humid climates show darker pigmentation.

On Morphology

• Animals in colder climates can be larger.

  • Example: Crows are bigger in colder regions due to more feathers.

On Animal Behavior

• Temperature influences prey detection and behavioral patterns; cold prompts snakes to stay coiled.

On Distribution

• Optimal temperature ranges can restrict species distribution.

  • Example: Atlantic lobster breeds only in temperatures >11°C.

Page 5: Humidity and Water Availability

• Most terrestrial organisms maintain narrow water content limits.

• Water loss occurs via evaporation or transpiration; relative humidity affects loss rates.

Page 6: Mechanisms for Water Loss Compensation

• Plants uptake water through roots; animals replenish by eating or drinking.

• Xerophytes adapt water retention by reducing leaf area.

Page 7: Environmental Factors Affecting Organisms

• Environmental conditions impact temperature, humidity, and light intensity, affecting animal behavior and plant growth.

Page 8: Wind Effects

• Wind results from air pressure differences; it influences plant and animal development, distribution, and behavior.

Page 9: Fire as an Ecological Factor

• Important for forest and grassland ecosystems. Conditions for fire: dry organic matter, dry weather, ignition source.

• Fire can cause sudden temperature rises and ecosystem destruction but supports some pyrophilous species.

Page 10: Atmospheric Pressure

• Varies with altitude, affecting oxygen availability. High altitudes have lower oxygen levels; requires acclimatization for some animals.

Page 11: Soil Composition and Factors

• Soil formation influenced by parent rock, climate, and organisms. Key properties impacting vegetation:

  • pH, soil water, temperature, and atmosphere.

Page 12: Topographic Factors

• Concerned with surface features like latitude and altitude affecting climate factors including temperature.

Page 13: Community Ecology and Interactions

• Examines organism interactions in habitats; includes species richness and diversity measurements.

• Keystone species may significantly impact community structure.

Page 14: Types of Species Interactions

• Positive interactions include mutualism, commensalism, and protocooperation; negative interactions include parasitism, predation, and competition.

Page 15: Ecosystem Functions

• Regulates ecological processes, nutrient cycling, and trophic balance.

Page 16: Food Chain Concept

• Describes the flow of energy; producers to consumers, etc. Energy efficiency at each trophic level is low.

Page 17: Complex Food Web Structures

• Food webs illustrate interconnections among species in an ecosystem, showing complex feeding relationships.

Page 18: Ecological Pyramids

• Represents trophic levels in ecosystems, including biomass and energy productivity, initiating with producers.

Page 19: Biogeochemical Cycles

• Overview of cycles like water, carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus which are vital for life and ecosystem functioning.