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Ecology Exam 1
Ecology
50
Environmental Studies
Undergraduate 2
10/06/2009

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Cards

Term
Oikos
Definition
Greek root meaning home/place to live.
Term
Ernst Haeckel
Definition
Coined the term Ecology - interaction between organisms/environment.
Term
Charles Krebs
Definition
Changed definition of Ecology to interactions that determine the distribution and abundance of organisms.
Term
Modern Definition of Ecology
Definition
Study of biotic + abiotic interactions that determine distribution and abundance of organisms.
Term
Applied Ecology
Definition
Early emphasis of ecology (tropical plant ecology, pest control).
Term
Mid-20th Century Ecology
Definition
Theoretical emphasis, Robert MacArthur/E. O. Wilson.
Term
Late 20th Century Ecology
Definition
Conservation emphasis, E. O. Wilson.
Term
Study of Ecology
Definition
Organismal level through biosphere level.
Term
Evolution
Definition
Change in gene/allele frequencies.
Term
Natural Selection
Definition
Genertic variability + differential survival.
Term
Proximate Cause
Definition
Immediate cause.
Term
Ultimate Cause
Definition
Evolutionary cause.
Term
Reproductive Fitness
Definition
Differential promotion of one's genes into next generation.
Term
Biome Characteristics
Definition
Temperature, precipitation, evaporation, physical features.
Term
Biome Temperature
Definition
Temperature range + presence/absence of frost.
Term
Biome Precipitation
Definition
Annual amount + distribution.
Term
Biome Evaporation
Definition
More intense at low latitudes.
Term
Biome Physical Features
Definition
Mountains + proximity of large bodies of water.
Term
Biome Physical Features
Definition
Mountains + proximity of large bodies of water.
Term
Tropical Rainforest
Definition
High/steady rainfall and temperature, greatest biodiversity, rapid deforestation.
Term
Tropical Dry Forest
Definition
High rainfall (dry and wet season) and temperature, deciduous trees and shrubs, high biodiversity.
Term
Tropical Savanna
Definition
Low rainfall (1 or 2 dry/wet seasons, high temperature, grassland w/ few trees, high biodiversity.
Term
Desert
Definition
Low rainfail, extreme temperature ranges, succulents/waxy plants, moderate biodiversity, expanding.
Term
Temperate Needle-Leaved Forest
Definition
Moderate, steady rainfall, hot summers/cool winters, moderate biodiversity, pines/palmetto.
Term
Temperate Deciduous Forest
Definition
Moderate steady rainfall, hot summer/cold winter, broad-leaved trees, moderate biodiversity.
Term
Temperate Grassland
Definition
Moderate/seasonal rainfall, hot summers/cold winters, grasses, low biodiversity.
Term
Temperate Woodland/Shrubland
Definition
Moderate rainfall/dry summer, relatively constant warm temperature, shrubs/short trees, high biodiversity.
Term
Temperate Rainforest
Definition
High/seasonal rainfall, cool/steady temperatures, needle-leaved evergreens, moderate biodiversity.
Term
Boreal Forest
Definition
Low rainfall (snow), extreme temperature range (frost), needle-leaved evergreens, low biodiversity.
Term
Tundra
Definition
Low rainfall (snow), extreme temperature range (frost), stunted trees, low biodiversity.
Term
Sea/Pack Ice
Definition
More severe than tundra, no vegetation, low biodiversity.
Term
Mountain Biome
Definition
Elevational stratification, rainfall increases/temperature decreases w/ elevation.
Term
Differential Heating of Earth's Surface
Definition
Results from orbital displacement, tilt, and rotation; creates air currents/Hadley Cells.
Term
Hadley Cell
Definition
Warm air rises, releases moisture, travels north, sinks, travels south.
Term
Coriolis Effect
Definition
In North, winds deflect to the right, opposite in south.
Term
Local Climate Modifiers
Definition
Mountains, ocean currents, heat islands.
Term
Ocean Effects on Climate
Definition
Heat sink, ocean currents, cold water upwellings.
Term
Atlantic Conveyor
Definition
Ocean current that distributes heat across Earth.
Term
El Nino
Definition
Winds blowing onshore prevent upwelling, warming surface waters. Stormy weather moves east, dry west, changes rainfall patterns.
Term
La Nina
Definition
Storm generation in the pacific moves westward.
Term
Human Influences on Climate
Definition
Heat islands, greenhouse gases.
Term
Intertidal Zone
Definition
Region between low and high tide.
Term
Neritic Zone
Definition
Region between intertidal zone and edge of continental shelf.
Term
Epipelagic Zone
Definition
Open ocean. 32 parts/thousand salt.
Term
Mesopelagic Zone
Definition
Below epipalagic zone.
Term
Bathypelagic Zone
Definition
Below mesopelagic zone.
Term
Abyssal Zone
Definition
Below bathypelagic zone.
Term
Hadal Zone
Definition
Bottom of ocean.
Term
Coral Reefs
Definition
Warm, >27% salinity, well-oxygenated, nitrogen limited.
Term
Eel Grass/Kelp Beds
Definition
Cool, low-normal salinity.
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