BMEN 515 Lecture Notes - Intertropical Convergence Zone, Species Richness, Permafrost

• School: University of Calgary
• Department: Biomedical Engineering
• Course: BMEN 515
• Professor: William Huddleston

Document Summary

Communities: systems embracing all the organisms loving together in the same area. Ecology: scientific study of rich and varied interactions btwn organisms and environment. Ecosystems: systems embracing all organisms in an area plus their physical environment. Environment: encompasses abiotic (physical+chemical ex water, minerals) and biotic (living organisms) factors interactions btwn organisms and environment are 2 way processes: organisms both influence and are influenced by environment. Understanding ecology allows us to manage ecosystems, to grow food, control pests, deal with natural disasters, etc. Ecologists become familiar with various environments and understand how organisms adapt to them climate: average of atmospheric conditions (temp, precipitation, wind direction, velocity) found over long term. [weather: short-term state of conditions: vary in different parts of world due to solar energy. Air temp decreases with elevation: air rises, expands, pressure and temp drop moisture released. Global air circulation patterns result from global variation in solar energy input intertropical convergence zone: the coming together of air masses.