Ch57 Flashcards
(20 cards)
basic properties of the earth major
terrestrial biomes
temperature ranges and amounts of precipitation.
Aquatic Habitats
- Sunlight – at the top
- Nutrients – generally fall to the bottom
- Oxygen
Atmospheric pollution
ozone depletion
The Coriolis Effect
the curvature of the paths of the
winds due to Earth’s rotation
Rain shadows
- Rain falls as air rises.
- Remains dry on the leeward
side of the mountain.
Photic zone
area where photosynthesis is possible
Aphotic zone
below light penetration level
Benthic zone
bottom
(nutrient rich)
Littoral zone
near the shore
Pelagic zone
Open water
Continental shelf ecosystems
provide abundant resources
* 99% of ocean food supply comes from neritic waters
The Pelagic Zone
Sunlight and nutrients are separated
* Food originates in photic zone, 99% eaten as it drifts down through the water column
Estuaries
ecosystems where fresh water from streams or
rivers mix with ocean water
Oligotrophic
low in nutrients
* Associated with mountains
* Rocky soil, less biomass, fast
running streams
Eutrophic water
high nutrients
* Associate with lower elevations
* Rich soil at bottom, slower
flows, densely populated with
algae and plant material
Biomagnification
higher and higher toxin concentration as you move up trophic levels
Biosphere
includes all living communities on Earth
Angle of Incidence
how the Sun’s rays strike the spherical Earth
is the primary factor driving regional and seasonal differences in solar energy intensity
Microclimate
highly localized set of climatic conditions.
Examples: gaps caused by a tree fall or the warm environment under a decaying log.
Human Impact on Ecosystems
Pollution
Deforestation
Overfishing
