Terminology: 32-36 Flashcards
(30 cards)
Biological Community
All the species of a given area
Ecosystem
All the organisms along with the abiotic (non-living) components of a given area
Global Ecology
The entire biosphere of Earth.
Biotic Factors
Environmental factors that include:
* Predators
* Prey
* Parasites
* Hosts
* Competitors
Abiotic Factors
Environmental factors that include:
* Rainfall
* Temperature
* Light
* Wind
* Water pH
* Water flow
* Water mineral composition
* Soil viability
Range
The geographical distribution of a species.
Climate
The general description of average temperature and rainfall conditions of a region over the course of a year.
Primarily determined by latitude.
Latitude
The horizontal lines running across the planet.
Determines the intensity of solar radiation, which in turn influences patterns of temperature, air circulation, and evaporation/precipitation.
Planetary Tilt
The tilt of the Earth on its axis around the Sun determines the seasonal variation in climates within the northern and southern hemispheres.
Biome
A type of ecosystem that is unique to a given region and is characterized by distinct vegetation types.
NY is within a temperate forest biome.
Tropical Wet Forests (Rainforests)
- High temperature & rainfall
- No distinct seasons
- Evergreen broad-leaf trees
- High biodiversity
- High productivity
Subtropical Deserts
- Very low rainfall
- High daytime temperature
- Cold nighttime temperature
- Low density specialized plants
- Low productivity
Temperate Grasslands
- Relatively low rainfall
- Moderate seasonally variable temperature
- Grasses
Temperate Forests
- Relatively high rainfall
- Moderate seasonal temperature variation
- Deciduous broad-leaf trees
Boreal Forests
- Low to moderate rainfall
- Very high seasonal temperature variation
- Evergreen cold-tolerant conifers
Arctic Tundra
- Low to very low rainfall
- Low temperature (soil permafrost)
- No trees
- Low shrubs, herbs, lichens
Biogeochemical Cycles
The cyclical transfer of elements (e.g. carbon or nitrogen) from abiotic reservoirs to living organisms and back again.
Carbon
The primary building block of organic compounds
Greenhouse gases
- Carbon dioxide: Comes from the burning of fossil fuels, wildfires, and volcanic eruptions.
- Water vapor: Most abundant greenhouse gas, global warming has positive feedback effect.
- Methane: Results mostly from bacterial activity from wetlands, livestock, coal mines, landfills, natural gas production.
- Nitrous Oxide: From agriculture via anaerobic denitrification.
- Hydrocarbons: Refrigerators, aerosols, solvents, fire retardants.
Energy Source
Sunlight or energy rich inorganic compounds
Primary Producers
Autotrophic organisms, either photosynthetic or chemosynthetic, that convert energy from source into carbohydrates.
Consumers
Organisms that consume other organisms for energy.
Decomposers
Obtain energy from dead organisms or organismic waste
Gross Primary Productivity (GPP)
Total amount of chemical energy produced in a given area and time period.
