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Ecology
Dr. Terdal, NSUBA, Fall 2013
21
Biology
Undergraduate 3
09/19/2013

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Term
Temperature
Definition
measure of the average kinetic energy, or energy of motion, of the molecules, in a mass of a substance
Term
Heat energy, Heat
Definition
The kinetic energy in a mass of a substance is generally referred to as ____ energy or simply _____.
Term
Peter Kevan, Ellesmere Island
Definition
Sun-tracking behavior of the arctic plant, Dryas integrifolia - parabola shaped flower that retains heat by moving the flower to face the sun throughout the day. Attracts pollinating insects.
Term
Temperature influences what in organisms?
Definition
rates of chemical reactions, including those reactions that control life's essential processes - photosynthesis and respiration.
Term
phenotypic plasticity
Definition
variation among individuals in form and function as a result of environmental influences
Term
ecology
Definition
study of the relationships between organisms and their environment
Term
macroclimate
Definition
what weather stations report and what is represented in climate diagrams

interacts with the local landscape to produce microclimatic variation in temperature
Term
microclimate
Definition
climatic variation on a scale of a few kilometers, meters, or even centimeters, usually measured over short periods of time. Influenced by landscape features such as altitude, aspect, vegetation, color of the ground, and presence of boulders and burrows. Aquatic temperatures are also microclimates.
Term
Altitude (microclimate)
Definition
Lower average temperatures at higher elevations are a consequence of decreased atmospheric pressure, air rising up the side of a mountain expands. The energy of motion required to sustain the greater movement of air molecules in the expanding air mass is drawn from the surroundings, which cool as a result. Also, at higher elevations there is less atmosphere to trap and radiate heat back to the ground.
Term
Aspect
Definition
Topographic features such as hills, mountains, and valleys create microclimates that would not occur in a flat landscape. The shaded parts of the land (Norhern hemisphere = north side, Southern hemisphere = south)creates contrasting microclimates.
Term
Vegetation
Definition
Creates shaded and insulated microclimates (litter) - Kemmerer Wyoming can differ in temp by 27 degrees C.
Term
Color of the ground
Definition
Color, absorbs more visible light, makes it hotter.
Term
Boulders and burrows
Definition
Boulders would heat up and provide warmth (10 degree difference) and burrows where temperature mitigated by overlying soil where 2 degree difference in day and night temps.
Term
Aquatic temps
Definition
high capacity of water to absorb heat energy without changing temperature (specific heat) 3000 times higher for water than air.
Term
specific heat
Definition
high capacity of water to absorb heat without changing temperature
Term
latent heat of vaporization
Definition
large amount of heat absorbed by water as it evaporates - 584 calories per gram of water at 22 degrees C and 580 at 35 degrees C
Term
latent heat of fusion
Definition
water gives up about 80 calories as 1 gram of water freezes
Term
Riparian vegetation
Definition
vegetation that grows along rivers and streams influences temperature by providing shade
Term
Aquatic microclimates
Definition
air variations higher than reed beds higher than shallow riffles higher than deep pool
Term
Evolutionary trade-off
Definition
Adapting to one set of environmental conditions generally reduces a population's fitness in other environments
Term
Principle of Allocation
Definition
mathematics used to analyze energy trade-offs. Concluded that as a population adapts to a particular set of environmental conditions, its fitness in other environments is reduced
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