2.4 - Biomes, Zonation And Succession Flashcards
Define biome
Biomes are large-scale ecological communities that are characterised by their dominant vegetation, climate, and other abiotic factors that shape their biotic communities
What are the 5 classes of biomes
Aquatic
Forest
Grassland
Desert
Tundra
What is a aquatic biome
Aquatic biomes are water-based ecosystems that are divided into freshwater and marine ecosystems, including lakes, rivers, oceans, and coral reefs
What is a forest biome
Forest biomes are dominated by trees and are categorised into tropical rainforests, temperate deciduous forests, and boreal forests
What is a grassland biome
Grassland biomes are characterised by grasses and herbaceous plants and are categorised into savannas and temperate grasslands
What is a desert biome
Desert biomes are characterised by low rainfall and are dominated by cacti and other drought-resistant plants - they can be further divided into subcategories such as hot deserts, cold deserts, coastal deserts, and semi-arid deserts
What is a tundra biome
Tundra biomes are found in high latitudes and are characterised by low temperatures and permafrost - they can be further divided into subcategories such as arctic tundra and alpine tundra
What is a limiting factor
A limiting factor is anything (biotic and abiotic) that restricts, slows or stops organisms from growing. Examples include food, competition, temperature, altitude, and available sunlight.
What affects the productivity and biodiversity of a biome
Limiting factors
What is the limiting factor in a desert
Water as it affects plant growth, while in a tundra, low temps and permafrost limit plant growth
What is the location of a tropical rainforest
- low latitudes
- Within the Tropics 23.5° north and south of the equator
- amazon in South America, New Guinea, Southeast Asia, Zaire basin
What is the annual precipitation in a tropical forest
Over 2000 mm
What is the temperature range in a tropical forest
26-28 degrees
What are the seasons in a tropical rainforest
No seasons: hot and wet all year round
What is the growing season in a tropical rainforest
All year round
What are the soil type in a tropical rainforest
Infertile due to leaching and rapid uptake of nutrients by plants
What is the biodeiversity in a tropical rainforest
Approx. 50% of the world’s plant and animal species live within the rainforest biome
Four layers of vegetation: mahogany, teak trees, lianas, orchids
Toucans, jaguars, frogs, snakes
Where is the savanna
North and south of the tropical and monsoon forest biomes 5° - 30° north and south of the equator
Central Africa - Tanzania, Kenya
What is the annual precipitation in the savanna
800-900 mm
What is the temperature range in the savanna
15 - 35 degrees
What are the seasons in the savanna
Wet and dry season
What is the growing season in the savanna
During the wet season
What are the soils like in the savanna
Free draining with a thin layer of humus
Not very fertile most nutrients near the surface
What is the biodiversity like in the savanna
Wide range of plant and animal species
Grasses, baobab and acacia trees
Zebras, elephants, giraffes
Greatest diversity of hoofed animal