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An Introduction to Ecology and the Biosphere Ecology: the scientific study of the interactions between organisms and the environment-the ecological study of species involves biotic and abiotic influences --biotic = living (organisms – behaviors and interactions between organisms) --abiotic = nonliving (temp, water, salinity, sunlight, soil) Hierarchy (from least to most complex)-organisms-population: group of individuals of same species in a particular geographic area-community: group of populations of different species in an area-ecosystem: community or organisms + physical factors-landscape: mosaic of connected ecosystems-biosphere: global ecosystem Climate: long-term prevailing weather conditions in a particular area=temperature + precipitation + sunlight + windmacroclimate vs. microclimate:-macro: work at seasonal, regional, or local level-micro: small-scale environmental variation (under a log)climate change: some species may not survive shifting ranges Global climate patterns:-Sunlight intensity varies with distance from the equator.--Close to equator, sun overhead, more intense, warmer, no seasonal variation.--Farther from equator, low angle of incoming sunlight, less intense, seasonal variation in temp and daylength.-Air circulation and precipitation patterns --prevailing winds remain constant (westerlies, trades, easterlies) --descending dry air absorbs moisture, ascending moist air releases moisture-Ocean currents --water retains and carries heat --major oceanic gyres-Mountains affect rainfall --dry side of the mountain/rain shadow Biomes: major types of ecosystems that occupy very broad geographic regions.-climate and elevation determine biomes --climograph: plot of temperature and precipitation in a particular region-Biomes: tropical forest, desert, savanna, chaparral, temperate grassland, northern coniferous forest, temperate broadleaf forest, tundra, lakes, wetlands, streams/rivers, estuaries, intertidal zones, oceanic pelagic zone, coral reefs, marine benthic zone Biogeography: geographic distribution of species-Factors:--Dispersal – movement away from area of origin.--Behavior – habitat selection--Biotic factors – other species, food resources, competition, pollinators, predators.--abiotic factors – temp, water, oxygen, salinity, sunlight, rocks, soil
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