Ecological Hierarchy
group of organisms that can naturally interbreed and produce fertile offspring
Species*
Typically not considered an ecological unit, WHY?
Organisms create their own energy
Producer/Autotroph
(photosynthesis and chemosynthesis)
Relationship where both species benefit from interaction
Mutualism
The reflectivity of an object that redirects solar radiation
Albedo
deforestation, landfills, burning fossil fuels, agriculture
Man-made sources of GHG
Multiple individuals of the same species living in the same area
Population
Individuals can interact with each other and affect the responses of the population
Consumer/heterotroph
Two species live closely together and one benefits while the other is not affected
Commensalism
The circulation of air concentrated around the equator results in dry deserts and moist rainforests
Hadley Cells
evaporation, decomposition, volcanic eruptions, denitrification
Natural sources of GHG
Multiple populations living together in the same area
Community
Often used to study interspecific interactions
Consumes dead animals
Scavenger
Two species depend on the same limited resource and their interaction results in negative effects
Competition
Deflection of an object's path due to Earth's rotation, credited for wind patterns
Coriolis Effect
How much a molecule of greenhouse gas can contribute to global waming over 100 years
Global warming potential (GWP)
Multiple communities of living organisms interacting with the abiotic physical and chemical environment
Ecosystem
Emphasized the storage/transfer of energy and matter
Organisms eat and break down dead organic matter into detritus
Detritivore
Parasite that will eventually cause a disease in its host
Pathogen
El Niño-Southern Oscillation
Encapsulated air pockets from thousands of years ago, capable of carrying aerosols and GHGs
Ice cores
Multiple ecosystems connected by migration, movement of matter, and flow of energy
Landscape
Organisms break down dead organic matter into its simpler elements and compounds
Decomposer
An organism lives within and eats its host, eventually killing it
(ex. tarantula hawk)
Global pattern of deep and surface-level currents that flow based on variation in temperature and salinity
Thermohaline circulation
Layers of soil can be permanently frozen, storing greenhouse gases
Permafrost