Earth History: Ecological Succession and Plate Tectonics
Ecological Succession and Climax Communities
Ecological succession is the process by which certain populations are replaced by new ones to eventually form a climax community. A climax community occurs when a population reaches a stable composition and no longer undergoes significant changes.
Types of Succession
- Primary Succession: Occurs on virgin terrain where no previous community existed.
- Secondary Succession: Established on an existing biological community that has been eliminated by events such
Understanding Environmental Problems and Their Impact
Environmental Problems
Environment: is everything that affects living organisms.
Ecology: is the biological science that studies the relationship between living organisms.
Environmental problems include:
Ozone depletion, acid rains, and smogs.
Ozone (O3):
– Highly reactive gas – harmful to breathe – 3 atoms of oxygen.
1- 90% of the O3 is in the stratosphere, and it is called the ozone layer.
2- O3 absorbs a band of ultraviolet (UV) radiation called UVB.
Ozone Layer (O3):
– A region of Earth’s stratosphere
Earth’s Atmosphere: Protective Functions, Circulation, and Pollutants
Functions of the Atmosphere
- Protective Shield: The ozone layer in the stratosphere prevents most harmful ultraviolet (UV) radiation from reaching Earth’s surface. The atmosphere also protects against the impact of meteorites and other celestial bodies, which disintegrate upon entering its layers.
- Involvement in the Water Cycle: The atmosphere plays a crucial role in the water cycle. Water vapor condenses to form clouds, which then precipitate as rain or snow.
- Source of Life-Sustaining Gases: It contains
Atmospheric Moisture, Humidity, and Evapotranspiration Dynamics
Atmospheric Moisture
Source of Atmospheric Moisture
Atmospheric moisture originates with the gasification of water from oceans, lakes, rivers, soils, vegetation, and wildlife, as well as humanity (breathing). Moisture also results from human activities such as waste combustion and the advent of steam engines.
Humidity and Water Vapor Concepts
Moist Air and Water Vapor
Water vapor is a component of the mixture of atmospheric air. Moist air is defined as a mixture of dry air and water vapor.
Vapor Pressure
Read MoreSoil Erosion Control and Conservation Techniques
Understanding Soil Erosion and Its Effects
Factors Influencing Soil Erosion
Soil properties such as texture, structure, and organic matter influence the detachment and transportation processes of soil particles.
Types of Soil Erosion
Accelerated Soil Erosion
This is a more rapid form of erosion than natural or geological erosion, often caused by unnatural human activities.
Gravitational Erosion
While not as common as water erosion, gravitational erosion can cause significant damage to natural and man-made
Read MoreEarthquake Science: Faults, Waves, Measurement, and Hazards
*EARTHQUAKES:
-in plate boundries bc is where most jaults jostle, collide with, or slide past each other. Also in transform fault zones.
-fault: planar breaks and displacement happens
-fault plane: plane which displacement occursÂ
*stirke-
Slip
*reverse -> <-
*normal <- ->
-creep: if a displacement is gradual,smooth there is no seismic activity or earthquake (aseismic slip)
-earthquake:is displacement is quick, earthquake happens (seismic slip)
elastic rebound: two slides of the fault snap back
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