Biology 6 Chapter 52 Intro To Ecology And The Biosphere

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Ecology

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scientific study of the interactions between organisms and their environment

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Organism

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basic unit of ecological system

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Population

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group of individuals of the same species living at the same time

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community

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consists of all organisms that inhabit a particular area; assemblage of populations of different species

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ecosystem

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includes all biotic and abiotic factors within a specific area

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biotic factors

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living components of an ecosystem

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abiotic factors

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non living components of an ecosystem
sunlight
water
temperature
wind
rocks and soil

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biosphere

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global ecosystem; sum of all the planets ecosystems- life and where it lives

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dispersal

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movement of individuals away from their area of origin or from centers of high population density
-contributes to global distribution of organisms

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natural range distribution

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organisms reaching an area on their own in which they did not previously exist

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species transplant

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intentional or accidental release of species to areas where they were previously absent
-species must survive and reproduce
-usually detrimental to native species

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behavior

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preferences that may limit a species ability to disperse into other habitats
-dietary preferences of koalas and pandas limit their ability to disperse

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climate

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long term, prevailing weather conditions in a particular area
-major components of climate:
temperature
precipitation
sunlight
wind

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macroclimate

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climate patterns on the local, regional, and global level
-determined by input of solar energy in planets movement in space
-suns warming effects on planets result in:
temperature variations
air movement cycles
water evaporation

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factors of macroclimate

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-affects local temperature and rainfall
-influences specie distribution
-proximity of bodies of water
-ocean currents influence climate along coasts heating/ cooling air
-coastal climates tend to be moister than inland climates

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seasonal variation of macroclimate

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axis of earths rotation and revolution around the sun affects:
day light
solar radiation
temperature
- unusual occurrences in wind and ocean currents could result in el nino or la nina

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microclimate

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fine climate patterns encountered by a community of organisms

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factors affecting microclimate

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trees casting shade
open areas exposed to sunlight
low lying areas tending to be moister
features such as logs and large stones

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global climate change

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increase in temperature and change in weather patterns around the planet, mostly due to increasing CO levels from burning of fossil fuels
-form of long term climate change
-terrestrial temperatures increase
-aquatic temperatures increase
-changes in precipitation

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biome

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major terrestrial or aquatic life zone, characterized by vegetation type and physical environment

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characteristics of marine biomes

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-impact global climate, carbon cycles
-oceans=75% of earths surface
-marine biomes= 3% salt content

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stratification of marine biomes

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thermoclines

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narrow layer of abrupt temperature change, separating warmer upper layers from colder lower layers

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turnover

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semiannual (spring/fall) mixing of water due to changing temperatures resulting in OXYGEN RICH WATERS DESCENDING and NUTRIENT RICH WATERS ASCENDING

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stratification of freshwater biomes

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communities

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distribution of different populations of species- in both marine and freshwater based upon certain parameters
-form of aquatic biomes in general
-depth of water
-degree of light penetration
-distance from shore
-distance from surface

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characteristics of terrestrial biomes

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determined by climate, altitude, and latitude
-usually named for climate features or predominant vegetation (also microorganisms, fungi and animals)
-affected by weather patterns (consistent or inconsistent)
-affected by annual mean precipitation
-affected by annual mean temperature

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disturbance

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event that changes a community by removing organisms and altering resources availability
-human activities
-severe weather patterns
-natural disasters
*disturbances are essential to the survival of the community-especially dominant plant wildfires

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stratification of terrestrial biome

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