2.4B Limiting factors, productivity, biodiversity of Biomes Flashcards
What are some limiting factors of “aquatic” biomes?
- Water absorbs some light and limits photosynthesis
- Deep oceans = no light for photosynthesis
- Freshwater may freeze in temperature of polar winters
What are some limiting factors of “forest” biomes?
- Nutrients locked in biomass instead of soils
- High rainfall leaches nutrients from soils
- Thin soils
- Cold, dry, winters (in temperature forests)
What are some limiting factors of “grassland” biomes?
- Less precipitation than forest, but more than deserts
- Seasonal temperature extremes limit productivity
- Low decomposition and nutrient recycling
What are some limiting factors of “desert” biomes?
- Little precipitation
- High evaporation
- Extreme day/night temperatures
- Photosynthesis is limited
What are some limiting factors of “tundra” biomes?
- Short days limit photosynthesis and productivity
- Photosynthesis limited from frozen water in winter and saturated soils after thaw
- Slow nutrient cycles
What is the productivity like in an “aquatic” biome?
- Tropical coral reefs –> high
- Deep oceans –> very low
- Temperature freshwater –> moderate
What is the productivity like in a “forest” biome?
- Very high in tropical rainforests
- Temperature rainforests also high productivity but lower in winter and autumn
What is the productivity like in a “grassland” biome?
- Moderate to low
- Slow nutrient cycles and extreme seasonal temperatures limit productivity
What is the productivity like in a “desert” biome?
- Low
- Water needed for photosynthesis
- Soils may have good nutrients from minimal leaching
What is the productivity like in a “tundra” biome?
- Low due to short days and low temperatures
- Photosynthesis limited from frozen water in winter and saturated soils after thaw
What is the biodiversity like in an “aquatic” biome?
- Coral reefs –> very high
- Deep ocean –> very low
- Temperature freshwater –> moderate to low
What is the biodiversity like in a “forest” biome?
- Very high
- Tropical rainforests have the highest diversity on earth
- Temperate forests have 2nd highest
What is the biodiversity like in a “grassland” biome?
- High
- Diverse plant life and soils rich in nutrients support extensive food webs
What is the biodiversity like in a “desert” biome?
- Low
- Extremes of precipitation and temperatures are not too optimal for plant or animal survival
What is the biodiversity like in a “tundra” biome?
- Limited
- Too cold for reptiles, amphibians and invertebrates, which are all cold-blooded
