Ecology and Ecosystems: Interactions and Research

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What is the primary difference between climate and weather?

Climate is more affected by wind patterns, while weather is more affected by precipitation

Weather is more affected by temperature, while climate is more affected by humidity

Weather is measured over a shorter period of time, while climate is measured over a longer period of time (correct)

Climate is measured over a larger area, while weather is measured over a smaller area

What is the term for the long-term prevailing weather conditions in a specific area?

Macroclimate

Microclimate

Climate (correct)

Weather pattern

Which of the following is NOT a major component of climate?

Humidity

Wind

Sunlight

Cloud cover (correct)

What is the term for the fine-scale patterns of climate that are affected by local environment factors?

Microclimate Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following factors affects climate?

Both air circulations and water currents, as well as the Earth's surface Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary factor that determines the distribution of terrestrial biomes?

Pattern of temperature and precipitation throughout the year Signup and view all the answers

What is the characteristic of terrestrial biomes in terms of their boundaries?

They grade into each other, without sharp boundaries Signup and view all the answers

What is the term for the phenomenon where similar characteristics arise in distant biomes through different evolutionary lineages?

Convergent Evolution Signup and view all the answers

What is the estimated number of unknown species of insects, spiders, and other arthropods in Tropical Rain Forests?

5-30 million Signup and view all the answers

What is the characteristic of the ground in Tropical Rain Forests?

It has little vegetation Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary focus of ecological research in the area of ecosystem ecology?

Energy flow and chemical cycling among biotic and abiotic components Signup and view all the answers

What is the name of the new mammal species discovered in the cloud forests of the Andes Mountains of South America?

Olinguito Signup and view all the answers

Which area of ecological research deals with the interactions of multiple species within a community?

Community ecology Signup and view all the answers

What is the main concern of population ecology?

Factors affecting population size over time Signup and view all the answers

Which area of ecological research examines the influence of energy and materials on organisms across the entire biosphere?

Global ecology Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary focus of organismal ecology?

How an organism's structure, physiology, and behavior meet environmental challenges Signup and view all the answers

Which area of ecological research focuses on the exchanges of energy, materials, and organisms across multiple ecosystems?

Landscape ecology Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary characteristic of Temperate Rain Forests?

High rainfall and moisture from dense ocean fogs Signup and view all the answers

What type of desert is characterized by hot and dry conditions?

Tropical Deserts Signup and view all the answers

Which biome is characterized by highly seasonal precipitation and cold winters?

Temperate Grasslands Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary characteristic of Tundra biomes?

Cold and windy environments with low precipitation Signup and view all the answers

What percentage of the Earth's surface is water?

71% Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary characteristic of the pelagic zone in the ocean?

Constant mixing by wind-driven oceanic currents Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary characteristic of streams and rivers?

Current Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary characteristic of coral reefs?

Formed by tiny animals known as polyps Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary characteristic of Coastal wetlands?

Inundated by water at least some of the time Signup and view all the answers

What is the major threat to marine systems?

Human activities Signup and view all the answers