Ecology and Biomes Quiz

Study Notes

Ecology: Study of an organism and its environment
Population ecology: Factors affecting populations (same species)
Community ecology: Species interactions and effects on populations/communities
Ecosystem ecology: Energy and chemical flow between organisms and environment
Climate: Depends on temperature, precipitation, wind, and sunlight (global-solar energy, local-seasons)
Global air circulation changes caused by radiation at the equator
Seasonal cycles related to Earth's tilt
Microclimates influenced by shade, wind patterns, and evaporative patterns
Abiotic factors (non-living): pH, temperature, water, wind, light, nutrients
Biotic factors (living): Animals, plants, insects

Ecological change alters the outcome of ecological interactions
Evolutionary change alters selective pressures
Example: Guppies evolved under low (reduce algae) or high (increase algae) predator conditions

Global climate change caused by burning fossil fuels, leading to extreme weather events/temperature changes
Terrestrial biome: Species convergence, examples include desert, savanna, chaparral, tropical forests, grassland, tundra, and differences in precipitation
Ecotones: Boundaries between biomes
Aquatic biomes: Marine (3% salt), freshwater (0.1% salt), divided into zones (pelagic, photic, aphotic, abyssal, benthic)

Aquatic biomes - marine 3% salt and freshwater 0.1% salt. Divided into different zones
- Pelagic: photic (light reaches) and aphotic (no light)
- Abyssal: Below aphotic (2,000-6,000 m below)
- Benthic: Sediment and organic matter below

Thermocline: Layer of rapid temperature change (warm upper water and cold lower water). Specific temperatures for winter, spring, and summer layers.
Hypoxia: Low oxygen in freshwater
Endemic species: Found in only one geographical area (e.g., Kangaroo, Saguaro cactus) at specific elevation
Higher elevation conditions: High temperatures, low oxygen, dry conditions, high UV radiation