Ecology

  1. The Organism and Its Environment
    1. Abiotic Factors
      1. Climate and Weather
        1. Solar Radiation
          1. Intensity Variation
            1. Seasonal Changes
              1. Latitudinal Gradients
              2. Temperature
                1. Daily and Seasonal Cycles
                  1. Extreme Temperatures
                    1. Effects on Metabolism
                    2. Water Availability
                      1. Precipitation Patterns
                        1. Humidity
                          1. Drought Stress
                          2. Atmospheric Conditions
                            1. Wind Patterns
                              1. Atmospheric Pressure
                                1. Gas Concentrations
                              2. Aquatic Environments
                                1. Physical Properties
                                  1. Water Density
                                    1. Viscosity
                                      1. Buoyancy
                                      2. Chemical Properties
                                        1. Salinity
                                          1. pH Levels
                                            1. Dissolved Oxygen
                                              1. Nutrient Concentrations
                                              2. Light Environment
                                                1. Penetration Depth
                                                  1. Spectral Quality
                                                    1. Photic Zones
                                                    2. Temperature Dynamics
                                                      1. Thermal Stratification
                                                        1. Seasonal Turnover
                                                          1. Thermoclines
                                                          2. Water Movement
                                                            1. Currents
                                                              1. Waves
                                                                1. Tides
                                                              2. Terrestrial Environments
                                                                1. Soil Properties
                                                                  1. Formation Processes
                                                                    1. Soil Horizons
                                                                      1. Texture and Structure
                                                                        1. Porosity and Permeability
                                                                        2. Soil Chemistry
                                                                          1. pH and Buffering
                                                                            1. Nutrient Availability
                                                                              1. Cation Exchange
                                                                                1. Organic Matter Content
                                                                                2. Soil Biology
                                                                                  1. Microbial Communities
                                                                                    1. Soil Fauna
                                                                                      1. Root-Soil Interactions
                                                                                      2. Topography
                                                                                        1. Elevation Effects
                                                                                          1. Slope and Aspect
                                                                                            1. Drainage Patterns
                                                                                          2. Microclimates
                                                                                            1. Factors Creating Microclimates
                                                                                              1. Spatial Variation
                                                                                                1. Temporal Variation
                                                                                                  1. Biological Significance
                                                                                                2. Organismal Responses to Environment
                                                                                                  1. Physiological Adaptations
                                                                                                    1. Homeostasis
                                                                                                      1. Regulatory Mechanisms
                                                                                                        1. Feedback Systems
                                                                                                          1. Tolerance Ranges
                                                                                                          2. Thermoregulation
                                                                                                            1. Endothermy
                                                                                                              1. Ectothermy
                                                                                                                1. Behavioral Thermoregulation
                                                                                                                  1. Counter-current Exchange
                                                                                                                  2. Water Balance
                                                                                                                    1. Osmoregulation
                                                                                                                      1. Water Conservation
                                                                                                                        1. Salt Excretion
                                                                                                                          1. Drought Tolerance
                                                                                                                          2. Metabolic Adjustments
                                                                                                                            1. Enzyme Function
                                                                                                                              1. Metabolic Rate
                                                                                                                                1. Energy Storage
                                                                                                                                2. Respiratory Adaptations
                                                                                                                                  1. Oxygen Acquisition
                                                                                                                                    1. Gas Exchange Efficiency
                                                                                                                                      1. High Altitude Adaptations
                                                                                                                                    2. Morphological Adaptations
                                                                                                                                      1. Body Size and Shape
                                                                                                                                        1. Surface Area Relationships
                                                                                                                                          1. Structural Modifications
                                                                                                                                            1. Protective Structures
                                                                                                                                              1. Sensory Adaptations
                                                                                                                                              2. Behavioral Adaptations
                                                                                                                                                1. Foraging Behavior
                                                                                                                                                  1. Optimal Foraging Theory
                                                                                                                                                    1. Search Strategies
                                                                                                                                                      1. Prey Selection
                                                                                                                                                      2. Habitat Selection
                                                                                                                                                        1. Cue Recognition
                                                                                                                                                          1. Preference Hierarchies
                                                                                                                                                            1. Settlement Patterns
                                                                                                                                                            2. Temporal Activity Patterns
                                                                                                                                                              1. Circadian Rhythms
                                                                                                                                                                1. Seasonal Timing
                                                                                                                                                                  1. Migration Patterns
                                                                                                                                                                  2. Social Behaviors
                                                                                                                                                                    1. Group Formation
                                                                                                                                                                      1. Communication
                                                                                                                                                                        1. Cooperative Behaviors
                                                                                                                                                                      2. Life History Adaptations
                                                                                                                                                                        1. Reproductive Strategies
                                                                                                                                                                          1. Growth Patterns
                                                                                                                                                                            1. Longevity
                                                                                                                                                                              1. Developmental Plasticity