Ecology Exam Final Set 1

Was in the canope and discovered there are many epiphites. (air plants). They use other plants for structure support.

Input omes from sun, electromagnetic radiation. 30% of energy gets reflected back into space (albeto). Snow can reflex 90% of albeto, asphalt has a low albeto. 70% of radiation striking earth is absorbed into the earth.

Photosythenthisis absorbs a tiny amount.

Most is absorbed as heat.

• Heat must dissapate to E inputReradiated at nightConverted to windInvlovled in evaporationAll leaves eventually in the form of
• terrestrial longwave radiation (heat)

Northern hemisphere has spring equinox an equator faces the sun. Southern hemisphere has autumn equinox

Northern

June 21st is the longest day of the year. The sun will be directly over the tropic of cancern.

Sept 21st sun will be over the equator, equal day and night, Shortest day in the northern hemisphere, longest in the southern hemisphere.

During the winter, we are closer to the sun although we are tilted away so that it is colder.

While the heat is being converted from one form to another it takes on enrgy that drive climateAtmospheric circulation

deserts. Called inter-tropical convergence. ITC is the major climatic heat engine of the planet.  The closer you are to the equator the faster you are moving

Coriolis effect due to earth’s spin

• Breaks up air circulation and produces trade
• winds

due to air current, absorbed energy by water, strongly influenced by continental positions, coriolis effect (earths spin)

Influenced by

• -Atmosphere circulation
• -Ocean currents
• -Topography- pronounced effect on local climate
• -Vegetation

Examples

• Coastal deserts-cold ocean currents
• Eastern vs. western Oregon
• Amazon basin

are critical compontents of climate

Temperature controls the duration

Precipitation = supply

Humidity = demand

Precipitationshadow (rain shadows)