BIO 373 1st Edition Lecture 2 Outline of Last Lecture I Population Decline a Case study on deformity in amphibians II Experimental Design III Ecology Maxims Outline of Current Lecture I Physical Environment a Case study b Climate i Temperature ii Precipitation iii Winds iv Other factors c Surface Winds i Currents ii Salinity levels iii upwelling Current Lecture Physical Environment case study o climate variation and salmon abundance changes in temperature correlated with salmon catch abundance climate o climate pattern over a long period of time o weather current conditions o factors temperature These notes represent a detailed interpretation of the professor s lecture GradeBuddy is best used as a supplement to your own notes not as a substitute affects what animals and vegetation can survive and thrive increase temperature increased metabolic rates o different organisms have different proteins and enzymes that function optimally at specific temperatures o processes such as photosynthesis can be catalyzed at higher temperatures precipitation affects which plants survive animals need water winds can change temperature and precipitation definitions o conduction heat transfer between molecules in contact with each other o evaporation water gas decrease in energy in what was evaporated o transpiration water movement through plants o convection heat transfer by movement of air and water o sensible heat loss of energy via conduction or convection o latent heat loss of energy via transpiration o greenhouse gases trap energy and return it back to surface of the planet reradiation global position o affects angle at which the sun strikes the Earth o poles more surface area less concentrated radiation sun strikes at an angle sun rays pass a longer distance through the atmosphere o equator less surface area more radiation sun strikes directly atmospheric and oceanic effects on climate o warm air captures more water as air rises in atmosphere temperature decreases clouds form air can hold less water precipitation occurs global convection cells o three major cells vertically along Earth o Coriolis force Due to rotation of Earth drives the three cells o Zones of low pressure are associated with high precipitation o Zones of high pressure are associated with low precipitation o Dense air cold air dry conditions can t capture water Surface Winds horizontally along the Earth o Warm air decreased atmospheric pressure When the air is warm it is warmer than the water due to water s high heat capacity resistance to change in temperature Creates high pressure near water o Cool air increased atmospheric pressure When the air is cool it is cooler than the water due to it s high specific heat o Wind moves from high pressure areas to low pressure areas gradient o Wind moves surface of the water and creates currents Currents movement of water can change the water temperature Ex warm water moving towards cooler water Salinity levels higher in deeper water Surface water has less salinity les dense closer to the sun warmer Upwelling wind travels parallel to some coastal regions moving surface water Layers from deep water move up o Moving lower temperature and higher salinity and more nutrients due to sunken decaying materials up to the surface Global climate pattern follows convection cell pattern model o EXCEPT in areas of high elevation will discuss more later Fewer air particles less capacity to hold heat lower temperature