2.4 biomes zonation and succession Flashcards
tricellular model of atmospheric circulation
- equator higher in energy than at the poles due to the angle of the sun
- explains how thermal energy is distributed around the planet
- composed of the hadley, ferrel and polar cell
earth rotation
- creates day and night
- daylight longer in some areas than others, adapt
earth revolution
- creates seasons
- less extreme closer to the equator
great ocean conveyor belt
- moves heat around the planet
- moderates global climates
- supplies heat to the polar regions, regulates sea ice formation
gulf stream
- warm current
- gulf of mexico to northwestern coast of europe
humbolt current
- cold current
- cooling effect on climate of coast of south america
impact of proximity of water on temperature
- water double specific heat capacity double land
- long time oceans heat up in summer, summer temps lower, reverse in winter
- maritime locations, mild summer and winters
- continental locations, more extreme summer and winters
biome
- collection of ecosystems that are classified according to their predominant vegetation, share similar climatic conditions and organisms that have adaptations to the environment
5 biome categories
aquatic
- freshwater
- marine
forest
grassland
desert
tundra
P/E ratio shows
- how much water stress there is in a biome
- below 1, water shortages
- 1, good soil moisture, fertile soil
- above 1, waterlogged
case study
temperate deciduous forest biome
- any large area covered by woody vegetation
- dominant biome of the earth
- high rainfall, throughout the year, max during summer
- 4 seasons
- high primary productivity
- sunlight limited to the lower layers, productivity reduced below
- winter temperature drops
- well balanced nutrient stores
case study
temperate deciduous forest biome
stores, flows, outputs, inputs
stores
- soil
- litter
- biomass
flows
- uptake
- decomposition
- fallout
outputs
- leaching
- runoff
inputs
- weathering
- precipitation
case study
temperate deciduous forest biome
adaptations
plant
- shed leaves, avoid moisture loss
- spring leaves catch light, grow quickly
animal
- migrate to warmer climates
- hibernate
- store food to eat during winter
case study
temperate deciduous forest biome
problems
- human occupation, forest destruction
- cleared for agriculture, towns, fragmented
- acid deposition
- invasive species
- global warming
- disease
- hunting
case study
australian savanna grassland biome
- large areas, rolling grasses, few trees
- tropical, temperate
- hot wet, warm dry
- low productivity, dominant vegetation is grass, lower biomass
- long and dry season, no productivity
- poor soil fertility, high rainfall washes out nutrients
- common wildfires, burns off dead organic matter
case study
australian savanna grassland biome
adaptations
plant
- grasses deep roots, access soil moisture, avoid fire damage
- shrubs need fire to burst seed pods
- brightly colored flowers, attract insects
- narrow plant leaves, minimize water loss
animal
- camouflaged
- nocturnal
- hiding in burrows to avoid fire, day heat
- little water, moisture from food
case study
australian savanna grassland biome
problems
- invasive species, weeds
- human induced fires at the wrong time, too hot frequent
- cleared for cattle grazing
- overgrazing
case study
desert biome
sahara
- northern africa
- minimal rainfall
- hot
- low productivity
- unfavourable P/E ration
- low water availability, only few plants/animals adapted
- moisture loss
- poor soil quality, salinity
case study
desert biome
sahara
adaptations
plant
- close to the ground, avoid wind
- water in thick stems
- long lateral roots
- thick leaves, needles deter herbivores
- “fur” cacti trap morning dew
animal
- nocturnal
- water from plants
- large ears
- long legs
- more sideways
- flat feet
- thick hairs
case study
desert biome
sahara
problems
- limited threats, hard to live there
- pumping water from aquifers, salinization, soil degradation
- hunting
type 1 survivorship curve
- k selected species
- high survival rate in early life
- sharp drop at the end as old age is reached
type 2 survivorship curve
- middle ground
- constant mortality rate throughout life
- as likely to die at birth as old age
type 3 survivorship curve
- r selected species
- drops sharply, low survival rates after birth
- few make it to old age
zonation
- change in vegetation along an environmental gradient
- an be cause by changes in altitude, depth of water, tidal level, distance from shore etc
- spatial and determined by changes in abiotic factors
