2.4 ESS Biomes, zonation and succession

Question 1

Biome

Answer 1

A collection of ecosystems sharing similar climatic conditions

Question 2

Biosphere

Answer 2

That part of the Earth inhabited by organisms. It extends from the upper atmosphere down to the deepest parts of the oceans which support life.

Question 3

Zonation

Answer 3

The change in community along an environmental gradient due to factors such as changes in altitude, latitude, tidal level or distance from shore/coverage by water

Question 4

Succession

Answer 4

The process of change over time in an ecosystem involving pioneer, intermediate and climax communities

Question 5

Primary Succesion

Answer 5

Occurs on a bare inorganic surface, involving the colonization of newly created land by organisms

Question 6

Secondary Succesion

Answer 6

When an already established community is destroyed. Occurs on soils that have already developed.

Question 7

K- Startegist

Answer 7

A species which have small numbers of offspring, invest highly in parental care, most offspring survive, good competitors, populations usually close to carrying capacity

Question 8

R-startegist

Answer 8

A species which uses lots of energy in the production of vast numbers of eggs, no energy is used in raising offspring, reproduce quickly, able to colonize new habitats quickly, may exceed carrying capacity and then crash as a result

Question 9

Temperature

Answer 9

A measure of heat energy, important in determining the characteristics f a biome

Question 10

Precipitation

Answer 10

Any form of water that falls from clouds and reaches Earth’s surface.

Question 11

Insolation

Answer 11

Incoming solar radiation (sunlight)

Question 12

Productivity

Answer 12

The conversion of energy into biomass over a given period
of time. It is the rate of growth or biomass increase in plants
and animals. It is measured per unit area per unit time.

Question 13

Biodiversity

Answer 13

A combination of the species diversity, genetic diversity
and habitat diversity of an ecosystem

Question 14

Tundra (arctic and alpine)

Answer 14

An extremely cold, dry biome climate region characterised
by short, cool summers and bitterly cold winters: low productivity and biodiversity. Arctic and alpine.

Question 15

Aquatic biomes:
Marine

Answer 15

Oceans and seas with characteristic communities

Question 16

Aquatic biomes: freshwater

Answer 16

Streams, river, ponds and lakes which have different communities dependent on the characteristics of the water,

Question 16

Forests biome

Answer 16

-Tropical, temperate and boreal (taiga) depending on the latitude

Question 17

Grassland biome-

Answer 17

tropical (savanna) and temperate characterised by moderate rainfall, fields of grasses, and few trees

Question 18

Desert biome

Answer 18

• Hot or cold: a biome that has little or no plant life, long periods without rain, and extreme temperatures

Question 19

terrain

Answer 19

the landscape, especially its physical features

Question 19

Limiting factor

Answer 19

Any biotic or abiotic factor that restricts the existence, numbers, reproduction, or distribution of organisms.

Question 20

climate

Answer 20

The average weather pattern over many years for a locations on Earth

Question 21

Slope

Answer 21

steepness, how quickly a factor increases e.g the gradient of a hill

Question 22

Altitude

Answer 22

height above sea level

Question 22

aspect

Answer 22

The compass direction that a slope faces

Question 23

Seasons

Answer 23

Parts of the year with different typical climates