Environments and Life (Chapter 4)
Food Chains and Food Webs
Organisms have specific NICHES (food, and chem/physical conditions)
Reefs for example
Competition: Food, water, light
Primary Producers (photosynthesis), Herbivores, Carnivores, parasites, and scavengers
Biogeography: Temperature is the biggest limiter, also barriers (like ocean or high mountains)
Introduction to Climate: Atmosphere and ocean
Atmosphere: 78% N2, 21% O2, and trace of CO2, Ar, H2O and other traces
Atm. absorbs solar radiation and moderates the temperature.
ALBEDO is the reflectivity of the earth’s surface (higher on land and on snow)
Seasons change the amt. of solar radiation on earth at given locations
Unequal heating of earth causes wind (and water currents)
CORIOLIS effect-bending of wind by rotation of earth
TRADE WINDS
Climates depend on temperature-tropical, desert belts (around 20-30 degrees N/S)
Altitude varies temperature
Mountains (OROGRAPHIC EFFECT) dry/wet
Land/Ocean Effects (Monsoon)
Plants and animals reflect past climate
Ocean Currents: Deep ocean water formation and surface currents
Ocean water temperature and Salinity determine type of organisms