Ecology: Lecture 3

Rain shadows Smith and Smith, Fig. 2.5

North vs. south facing slopes  Smith and Smith, Fig & 2.17

Effects of vegetation on temperature Smith and Smith, Fig. 2.25

Review: key environmental factors affecting distribution of organisms  Temperature  Moisture  Nutrients  Light Campbell, 6 th edition, Fig

Focus on light  Characteristics that vary with climate/microclimate  wavelength  intensity  duration  directionality

Light energy as a function of latitude and time of year  Smith and Smith, Fig. 3.2

PAR: Photosynthetically active radiation ( nm) Smith and Smith, Fig. 3.1

Attenuation of light through water Nybakken, Marine Biology

Attenuation of light through vegetation  Leaf area index (Smith and Smith, Figs )

P-I Curve Smith and Smith Fig. 6.6  Smith and Smith Fig. 6.6

Photoinhibition Smith and Smith Fig. 6.9  Smith and Smith Fig. 6.9

Photosynthesis: review Campbell, Fig

Photosynthesis: light-independent reactions

Cost vs. benefit of rubisco reduction  Use Smith and Smith, Fig. 6.7 to think about this…

Changes in leaf orientation  Smith and Smith, Fig. 3.7

Shade-tolerant vs. intolerant plants  Smith and Smith, Fig. 6.9