Temperature and Heat in Ecology

Questions and Answers

What is temperature?

The weight of a substance.

A measure of the average kinetic energy of molecules. (correct)

A measure of heat energy in grams.

The speed of sound in a substance.

What is heat energy referred to as?

Kinetic energy of molecules (correct)

Temperature

Thermal energy (correct)

Potential energy

What do dryas flowers do?

They use the parabolic shape of their flowers to concentrate solar energy on their reproductive structures.

Why is temperature important to organisms?

Temperature influences rates of chemical reactions that control essential processes like photosynthesis and respiration. Signup and view all the answers

How do macroclimate and microclimate interact?

Macroclimate interacts with the local landscape to produce microclimatic variation in temperature. Signup and view all the answers

What distinguishes macroclimate from microclimate?

Macroclimate is the prevailing weather conditions in a region over a long period, while microclimate is climatic variation over shorter distances and periods. Signup and view all the answers

What factors influence microclimate?

Altitude, aspect, vegetation, color of the ground, and presence of boulders. Signup and view all the answers

Why are temperatures usually cooler at higher elevations?

Because atmospheric pressure decreases with elevation, causing expanding air to cool, and there is less atmosphere to trap heat. Signup and view all the answers

What role does aspect play in microclimates?

Aspect determines how much sunlight different areas receive, affecting temperature and moisture levels. Signup and view all the answers

How do vegetation and ground color affect microclimates?

Plants create shaded areas, and different ground colors can absorb or reflect heat variably. Signup and view all the answers

What is the effect of boulders and animal burrows on microclimate?

Boulders create warmer air pockets, while burrows maintain more moderate temperatures. Signup and view all the answers

What are the main reasons for thermal stability in aquatic environments?

Water has a high specific heat capacity and additional factors like its molecular structure. Signup and view all the answers

How much energy is required to heat 1 cm³ of water by 1°C?

1 calorie Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Temperature and Heat

Temperature: Measures average kinetic energy of molecules in a substance.
Heat: Describes the kinetic energy within a mass of a substance.

Dryas Flowers

Dryas flowers have a parabolic shape to concentrate solar energy on reproductive structures.
Insects warm themselves on these flowers, aiding pollination.

Importance of Temperature

Temperature influences chemical reaction rates, crucial for processes like photosynthesis and respiration.
Organisms are adapted to a specific temperature range for optimal functioning.

Climate Interactions

Macroclimate: Long-term weather conditions in a region.
Microclimate: Short-term climatic variation occurring over small scales influenced by local landscape features.

Influences on Microclimate

Factors include altitude, aspect (direction faced), vegetation, ground color, and presence of boulders.
Water and soil characteristics limit temperature fluctuations in aquatic environments and animal burrows.

Altitude and Temperature

Cooler temperatures at higher elevations due to decreased atmospheric pressure and reduced air density.
Less atmosphere at higher elevations means decreased heat retention.

Aspect and Microclimates

Topography creates shaded and sunlit areas; north-facing slopes in the Northern Hemisphere are cooler and moister.
Southern Hemisphere follows a similar pattern with southern aspects receiving less sunlight.

Vegetation and Microclimates

Plants provide shade, creating cooler microclimates; vegetation types can significantly affect local thermal environments.

Ground Color Effects

Different ground colors, such as white or black sand beaches, create varying microclimatic conditions.

Boulder and Burrow Impacts

E.B. Edney’s research showed stones can create significant temperature differences; Ligia oceanica thrived under stones at higher temperatures compared to open air.
Animal burrows typically feature moderated temperatures compared to surface conditions.

Aquatic Temperature Stability

Water's high specific heat contributes to thermal stability, absorbing much heat without significant temperature changes.
It requires significantly more energy to heat water compared to an equal volume of air, leading to consistent aquatic temperatures.

Description

This quiz explores the concepts of temperature and heat, emphasizing their roles in ecological interactions. Understand how temperature affects biological processes and the relationship between microclimates and macroclimates.