Introduction to Ecology

Introduction to Ecology

1. The Organism and Its Environment

   • Ecological genetics
   • Plant Adaptations
   • Animal Adaptations

2. Physical Environment

   • Climate: Continental= w/i interior of land masses and temp range is great b/c no large water bodies to regulate temp. Maritime+ Coastal, low range of temp, high precipitation.
     • Solar radiation: The electro-Magnetic Energy
       • Albedo, Insolation, PAR, Shortwave vs Longwave
       • Earth's Axis 23.5' Tropic of Cancer (N), Tropic of Capricorn (S)
     • Elevation and Temp
       • Humidity
         • Latent Heat, Evaporation, Condensation, Vapour pressure, Saturation Vapour Pressure, Relative Humidity, Dew Point Temp.
       • Precipitation
         • Snow and Ice
         • ITCZ: Near EQ NE trades meet SE trades in a narrow high precip region.
           • After raining in ITCZ ascending air mass cool, splits N&S subtropical high regions cool air descends= 2 belts of dry climate
       • Altitude: Distance Above Earth's Surface
       • Elevation: Distance Above Sea Level
       • Air Temp in troposphere Decreases w/Elevation
         • Atmospheric Air Pressure: Total Air Mass Above Point. Elevation Increases, Air Mass Decreases, Air Pressure Drops.
         • Decrease in Temp w/Elevation caused by greater air pressure @ surface, faster air molecules & warmth of longwave rad declines with elevation.
       • @ certain elevations temp abruptly changes, atmospheric regions
         • Troposphere & Stratosphere (Climate), mesosphere, thermosphere
       • Adiabetic Cooling w/Elevation+Adiabetic Lapse rate
     • Atmospheric Circulation
       • Coriolis Effect
       • Trade winds named after direction they come from, i.e. Westerlies POor-Ferrel. HAD. LOW EQ. & a SUB-par HIGH
     • Ocean Currents: Solar energy, wind and Earth's rotation create.
       • Gyres
     • Irregular Climatic Variation
       • El nino+Warm water
       • El Nina= cold water
   • Aquatic Environment
     • Water Cycle
       • Properties of Water
         • High Specific Heat= Moderating effect i.e. Maritime Climate.
         • Water @ densest @4'c, any colder and density decreases.
     • Temperature
     • Tides
     • Estuaries
   • Terrestrial Environment
     • Challenges and Opportunities
     • Light and Vegetation
     • Soil

3. History

   • Darwin influenced by Malthus's assessment on pops under limiting conditions, Lyell's theory on the earth's age, evolutionary theory->ecology as formal science
   • Growth and processes influenced by conditions, conditions influence access to resources, protect from hazards

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