Environmental Science Chapter 4 Flashcards

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Questions and Answers

The average, year-after-year conditions of temperature and precipitation within a particular region are its _______.

climate

The greenhouse effect causes an increase in _______.

temperature

All of the biotic and abiotic factors in a pond form a(an) _______.

niche

A relationship in which one organism is helped and another organism is neither helped nor hurt is called _______.

commensalism Signup and view all the answers

A form of symbiosis in which both organisms benefit is called _______.

mutualism Signup and view all the answers

A type of symbiosis in which one organism benefits and the other is harmed is called _______.

parasitism Signup and view all the answers

Natural disturbances, such as fires or hurricanes, can result in _______.

succession Signup and view all the answers

In a tropical rain forest, the dense covering formed by the leafy tops of tall trees is called the _______.

canopy Signup and view all the answers

Organisms that live near or on the ocean floor are called _______.

benthos Signup and view all the answers

In the diagram of the ocean below, the feature labeled A is the _______.

open ocean Signup and view all the answers

Distinguish between weather and climate.

Weather and climate differ in the factor of time involved. Weather is the temperature and conditions that occur over a relatively short period of time, whereas climate is the temperature and conditions that occur over a relatively long period of time (years). Signup and view all the answers

Describe the major abiotic factors that produce Earth's main climate zones.

The abiotic factors that produce Earth's climate zones are greenhouse effect, the effect of latitude on climate, and heat transport in the biosphere. Signup and view all the answers

What is the difference between an organism's habitat and its niche?

A habitat is an area where an organism lives. A niche, on the other hand, encompasses the full range of biological and physical conditions in which an organism lives and the way that organism uses and interacts with those conditions. Signup and view all the answers

What is the competitive exclusion principle?

The competitive exclusion principle states that no two organisms can occupy the same niche, in the same habitat at the same time. Signup and view all the answers

Describe two major causes of ecological succession.

Forest fire and land cleared for farming. Signup and view all the answers

What is a biome?

A group of ecosystems that have the same climate and dominant communities. Signup and view all the answers

What are two abiotic factors that cause deciduous trees to shed their leaves?

The onset of the cold weather and the shorter periods of light during the day. Signup and view all the answers

What is the meaning of the term plankton? Name the two types of plankton.

Plankton are free floating organisms that live in both fresh water and salt water. The two types are phytoplankton and zooplankton. Signup and view all the answers

What are the three types of freshwater wetlands?

Marshes, swamps, and bogs. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Climate and Weather

Climate refers to average temperature and precipitation conditions over a long time in a specific region, while weather pertains to short-term atmospheric conditions.

Greenhouse Effect

The greenhouse effect leads to an increase in temperature by trapping heat in the Earth's atmosphere.

Ecosystem Components

A niche is formed by all biotic (living) and abiotic (non-living) factors in a given environment, such as a pond.

Symbiotic Relationships

Commensalism is a relationship where one organism benefits while the other is neither helped nor hurt.
Mutualism is a form of symbiosis that benefits both organisms involved.
Parasitism describes a relationship where one organism benefits at the expense of another.

Ecological Succession

Natural disturbances like fires or hurricanes can trigger ecological succession, the process where ecosystems change and develop over time.

Forest Canopy

In tropical rainforests, the canopy refers to the dense layer formed by the tops of tall trees, providing habitat and light for undergrowth.

Benthos

Benthos are organisms that inhabit the ocean floor, contributing to the marine ecosystem.

Ocean Features

The open ocean is a significant feature of marine environments, characterized by vast bodies of water away from coastal areas.

Abiotic Factors and Climate Zones

Major abiotic factors influencing climate zones include the greenhouse effect, latitude, and heat transport within the biosphere.

Habitat vs. Niche

A habitat is the physical area where an organism lives, while a niche encompasses all the interactions and roles an organism has within its environment.

Competitive Exclusion Principle

This principle asserts that two organisms cannot coexist in the same niche at the same time, emphasizing resource competition.

Ecological Succession Causes

Major causes of ecological succession include forest fires and clearing land for agriculture.

Biomes

A biome is a collection of ecosystems sharing similar climate and dominant communities, influencing the types of organisms that can thrive there.

Deciduous Trees

Two abiotic triggers for deciduous trees shedding leaves include the arrival of cold weather and reduced daylight duration.

Plankton

Plankton refers to free-floating organisms in aquatic environments, categorized into phytoplankton (plant-like) and zooplankton (animal-like).

Freshwater Wetlands

The three main types of freshwater wetlands are marshes, swamps, and bogs, each hosting unique ecosystems and biodiversity.

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Description

Test your knowledge with these flashcards based on Chapter 4 of Environmental Science. Each card covers key terms related to climate, ecosystems, and ecological relationships. Perfect for reinforcing your understanding of the material!