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Ecology Exam 1
Chapeters 1, 2, and 5
55
Science
Undergraduate 3
09/16/2009

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Term
What causes climate variation?
Definition
1.uneven heating of Earth by sun
a.Earth’s spherical shape
b.Earth’s tilt (23.5o)

with respect to plane of orbit around sun;maintained throughout orbit.
Term
Climate
Definition
pattern of temp. & precipitation
Term
If latitudes have less direct sun and more atmosphere, the equator has...
Definition
equator has more direct sun(solar equator);less atmosphere
Term
What causes seasonal variation?
Definition
a.caused by tilt (23.5o)
b.opp. in N. vs. S. Hemisphere
c.seasonal ranges in temp. increase with latitude.
Term
What is seasonal variation like at the Tropic of Cancer and the Tropic of Capricorn?
Definition
There is little variation in temp and have marked variation in precipitation.
Term
Equinox
Definition
When day length equals night length.
Term
What is equinox? When do Fall and Spring begin?
Definition
Equinox is when day length is the same as night length. Spring is May 21st, Fall is September 23rd, and
Term
What is solstice? When does Summer and Winter solstice begin?
Definition
Solstice is when we have the longest day or night. Summer begins June 21st, and Winter begins December 21st
Term
If it's spring in the N.Hemisphere what is the weather like in the S. Hemisphere?
Definition
It is fall in the S.Hemisphere.
Term
What influences atmospheric circulation?
Definition
mostly by angle of incident radiation.
Term
Hadley Cells
Definition
1.air circulation patterns
2.driven by warm air at solar equator; moves upward, then N.& S.
Term
What is the force behind Hadley Cells?
Definition
they are driven by solar radiation & evaporation at equator
Term
List four characteristics of Equilateral Hadley's.
Definition
a.between 0o & 30o N. & S. latitudes
b.warm, moist air rises at 0o
c.cool, dry, & dense air sinks at 30o
d.drive secondary Hadleys.
Term
What are two characteristics of secondary hadley's?
Definition
a.between 30o & 60o N & S latitudes
b.drive polar Hadleys (> 60o ).
Term
Where are majority of the world's great deserts located and why are they located there?
Definition
at 30o N & S of the equator. Because the cool air returning to the equator sucks the moister up?
Term
What influences surface air patterns?
Definition
The earth's rotation and caused by the Coriolis effect.
Term
Coriolis Effect
Definition
winds are deflected with respect to their path at Earth’s surface
Term
Westerlies
Definition
Winds coming in from the west. example: NC
Term
Northeast Trade Winds
Definition
Wind's mostly coming Mexico
Term
How does the Ocean effect climate in coastal zones?
Definition
a.moderated by ocean’s heat
b.less fluctuation in temp. as compared with interior regions.
Term
Which hemisphere has the greatest precipitation?
Definition
Southern
Term
Which country is surrounded by the most water?
Definition
South America
Term
Which country is surrounded by the most water?
Definition
South America
Term
List five aspects that drive the oceans current.
Definition
Winds, Topography of ocean floor, different water densities (due to salinity & temp), Earth's rotation deflects currents away from continents, and continent shapes.
Term
Give examples of two currents.
Definition
Humboldt gives cool, dry climate of S. America, and Gulf Stream along mild climate to British Isles and W. Europe.
Term
What is Adiabatic cooling and where does it occur?
Definition
it's when air temp decreases by 6-10 degrees C for every 1000m climb in elevation. Mountains.
Term
What causes Adiabatic cooling?
Definition
by the expansion of air as atmospheric pressure declines at higher elevations.
Term
What are Rain shadows and where do they occur?
Definition
are arid environments in the shadow of the mountain. On the leeward side of the mountain?
Term
Where are the N & S. American mtn ranges, and how do they run?
Definition
Concentrated on the Western part of the continent and generally run North and South.
Term
What is ENSO? and give three features.
Definition
El Nino-Southern Oscillation
1.affects global climate
2.large-scale atmospheric, oceanic phenomenon
3. Weakens the southwest trade winds and last's roughly a year.
Term
What trigger's ENSO?
Definition
triggered in Pacific Ocean by reversal of
a.air (surface) pressure areas
b.westward-moving winds
4.occurs every 2-10 yr.
Term
How does ENSO effect the Humboldt current in Peru?
Definition
a.normally moves N. along W. Coast of S. America; veers offshore (W.) at Ecuador
b.brings upwellings of nutrients for phytoplankton
c.during ENSO, westward flow weakens or stops.
Term
How does ENSO effect the climate?
Definition
1.eastern tropical Pacific Ocean
a.surface H2O warmer than ave.
b.barometric pressure lower than ave.
2. opp. effects in W. Pacific
3. precipn & air temp. increase in N. & S. America
4. drought over western Pacific.
Term
How does ENSO effect the climate in the US?
Definition
Wetter than normal in West and S.E.
Warmer than normal in North
Term
When did Ecology become a household name?
Definition
During the 1960's (environmental movement)
Term
When did scientist begin to call themselves ecologist?
Definition
During the 1800's
Term
Who is Rachel Carson and what book did she write?
Definition
Rachel Carson brought environmental issues to the forefront, and she wrote the book "Silent Spring" in 1962
Term
Who is Earnest Haeckel?
Definition
Coined the term Ecology in 1866
Term
Ecology: Greek Meaning
Definition
"Oikos" household
"logos" the study of
Term
Levels of Ecology (Smallest to Largest)
Definition
Individuals-Population-Interactions-Community-Ecosystem-Landscape-Region-Biosphere
Term
Population
Definition
all individuals of same species that occupy a given area.
Term
Species
Definition
group of organisms that share morphological characters, capable of interbreeding to produce fertile offspring and are reproductively isolated from other groups, and share genetic characters.
Term
Community
Definition
populations of different species that interact and occupy the same area.
Term
Ecosystem
Definition
interactions of community with it's physical and chemical environments, includes energy transfer, and nutrient cycle.
Term
Biome
Definition
major regional complex of similar communities. Associates with a particular climate and named and recognized by the dominant vegetation and it's structure.
Term
Abiotic
Definition
physicochemical
Term
Biotic
Definition
living
Term
What are the major steps in the scientific method?
Definition
Observe nature, ask questions,hypothesis, Collect Data, and analyze data, draw conclusions, report your results.
Term
In what three ways may data (or observations) be collected?
Definition
Field or laboratory experiments, systematic field or laboratory observations, mathematical or phenomenological models
Term
Phenomenological Model
Definition
Abstract representations
Term
How did McArthur collect data?
Definition
Systematic Field Research: he mapped the forest tree via vertical and horizontal zones. Then recorded the time each species spend in each zone.
Term
At what level of complexity did Bernd Heinrich do his work on bumblebees?
Definition
Individual
Term
At what level of complexity did Bormann and Likens work?
Definition
Ecosystem
Term
At what level of complexity did Robert McArthurs work on warblers?
Definition
Population and Species
Term
List three general principles of ecology
Definition
Ecological systems must conform to the law of thermodynamics. Energy cannot be created or destroyed; it can only change forms
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