thermal ecology definition of thermal ecology in the Free Online Encyclopedia.

thermal ecology [′thər·məl i′käl·ə·jē]

(ecology)

Study of the independent and interactive biotic and abiotic components of naturally heated environments.

Thermal ecology

The examination of the independent and interactive biotic and abiotic components of naturally heated environments. Geothermal habitats are present from sea level to the tops of volcanoes and occur as fumaroles, geysers, and hot springs. Hot springs typically possess source pools with overflow, or thermal, streams (rheotherms) or without such streams (limnotherms). Hot spring habitats have existed since life began on Earth, permitting the gradual introduction and evolution of species and communities adapted to each other and to high temperatures. Other geothermal habitats do not have distinct communities.

Hot-spring pools and streams, typified by temperatures higher than the mean annual temperature of the air at the same locality and by benthic mats of various colors, are found on all continents except Antarctica. They are located in regions of geologic activity where meteoric water circulates deep enough to become heated. The greatest densities occur in Yellowstone National Park (Northwest United States), Iceland, and New Zealand. Source waters range from 40^°C (104^°F) to boiling (around 100^°C or 212^°F depending on elevation), and may even be superheated at the point of emergence. Few hot springs have pH 5–6; most are either acidic (pH 2–4) or alkaline (pH 7–9).

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No references found			Thermal ecology of black rat snakes (Elaphe obsoleta) in a thermally challenging environment. Body temperatures of over-wintering Cottonmouth snakes: hibernaculum ... by Hein, Andrew M.; Guyer, Craig / Journal of the Alabama Academy of Science Thermal Ecology II (ERDA Symposium Series) CONF-75045: 272-283. James R. Gammon: the Wabash River man by Pyron, Mark / Proceedings of the Indiana Academy of Science			thermal compressor thermal conductance thermal conductimetry Thermal Conduction Thermal conduction in solids thermal conductivity thermal conductivity cell thermal conductivity gage thermal conductor thermal convection Thermal Converter Thermal converters Thermal Copy Paper thermal coulomb thermal cracking thermal cross section thermal cutout thermal cutting thermal degradation thermal detector Thermal Diffusion Thermal Diffusivity Thermal Dissociation thermal drift thermal drilling thermal ecology thermal effect thermal efficiency thermal effusion thermal electromotive force thermal emissivity thermal endurance thermal energy thermal environment Thermal Equator thermal equilibrium Thermal Erosion thermal excitation Thermal Expansion Thermal Expansion and Pressure Coefficients thermal expansion coefficient thermal exposure thermal farad thermal finish thermal flame safeguard thermal flasher thermal flux thermal gasoline thermal gradient thermal grease Thermal Head			Thermal Decay Time Thermal decomposition Thermal decomposition Thermal decomposition Thermal degradation Thermal Depolymerization Process Thermal Design Power Thermal desorption Thermal Desorption Gas Chromatography Thermal Desorption Gas Chromatography/Mass Spectrometry Thermal Desorption Silicon Etching Thermal Desorption Spectrometry Thermal Desorption Unit thermal detector Thermal Die Lid Attach Thermal Diffusion Thermal Diffusion Coefficient Thermal diffusivity Thermal diffusivity thermal dilution Thermal Dispersion Flow thermal dissociation Thermal Distortion Testing Facility thermal drift thermal drilling thermal dye printer Thermal dye transfer thermal ecology thermal effect thermal efficiencies thermal efficiencies Thermal efficiency Thermal efficiency Thermal efficiency thermal effusion Thermal Electric Control Thermal Electric Freezer Thermal Electric Holding Facility Thermal Electric Power Plant thermal electromotive force thermal emission Thermal Emission Imaging System Thermal Emission Spectrometer Thermal emissivity Thermal emissivity thermal endurance Thermal energy Thermal energy Thermal energy Thermal Energy International, Inc Thermal Energy Management Process Thermal energy storage Thermal Energy Storage for Solar Thermal Applications Thermal Energy Storage Technology Thermal Energy System Thermal Energy Transfer Corporation Thermal Engineering Corporation Thermal Engineering International