APES Unit 1 and 2 Biomes Flashcards
Taiga (Boreal Forest)
Example Country: Russia
Key Characteristics: Low Precipitation, Low Temperatures
Keystone Species: Gray Wolf
Fragile:
1. Highly susceptible to wildfires due to dry conditions and dense forests.
2. Slow decomposition rates, leading to nutrient-poor soils, which makes regrowth difficult. (If the temperature is too low, or too high, fungi and bacteria cannot grow)
Strong:
1. Species adapted to cold and fire cycles, allowing the forest to regenerate after disturbance.
2. Large carbon sink, storing significant amounts of carbon in the trees and soil.
Tropical Desert
Example Country: Saudi Arabia
Key Characteristics: Very Low Precipitation, High Temperatures
Keystone Species: Desert Fox (Fennec Fox)
Fragile:
1. Water scarcity (aquifer and groundwater) makes ecosystems highly sensitive to disturbances like climate change and human activity.
2. Slow plant growth means ecosystems take a long time to recover from damage.
Strong:
1. Species are highly adapted to extreme conditions, including water conservation and heat tolerance.
2. Highly resilient to prolonged droughts. Organisms in these biomes have developed efficient mechanisms to minimize water loss, and plants often have deep root systems to access underground water. This makes them able to endure long periods without rain.
Savannah (Tropical Grassland)
Example Country: Kenya
Key Characteristics: Seasonal Precipitation (Wet and Dry Seasons), High Temperatures
Keystone Species: African Elephant
Fragile:
1. Vulnerable to overgrazing and agricultural conversion, leading to soil degradation.
2. Seasonal droughts can severely impact plant and animal life.
Strong:
1. Plants and animals adapted to alternating wet and dry seasons, ensuring resilience to seasonal changes.
2. Grass species can recover quickly after fires, maintaining ecosystem stability.
Temperate Rainforest
Example Country: New Zealand
Key Characteristics: High Precipitation, Moderate Temperatures
Keystone Species: Salmon
Fragile:
1. Highly sensitive to logging, as many species rely on old-growth forests.
2. Vulnerable to climate change due to reliance on consistent moisture and mild temperatures (Increased temperatures and changing rain patterns).
Strong:
1. High biodiversity and resilience due to a variety of species and complex ecosystems.
2. High rainfall supports lush plant growth and soil fertility.
Temperate Seasonal Forest
Example Country: United States (Eastern)
Key Characteristics: Moderate to High Precipitation, Warm Summers, Cold Winters
Keystone Species: Oak Tree
Oaks provide habitat and food for a wide range of species, including insects, birds, and mammals.
Fragile:
1. Susceptible to deforestation and urbanization, leading to habitat fragmentation.
2. Invasive species can easily disrupt the ecosystem balance due to moderate climate.
Strong:
1. Seasonal cycles promote nutrient cycling and diverse plant and animal species.
2. Deciduous trees can adapt to a range of temperatures and recover from seasonal changes.
Tropical Rainforest
Example Country: Brazil
Key Characteristics: Very High Precipitation, High Temperatures
Keystone Species: Jaguar
Fragile:
1. Deforestation and logging cause habitat loss and reduced biodiversity.
2. Poor soil quality due to rapid nutrient cycling makes recovery after disturbance slow.
Strong:
1. High biodiversity and species richness make the ecosystem resilient to small-scale disturbances.
2. Constant warm temperatures and rainfall support year-round plant growth.
Shrubland (Chaparral)
Example Country: Spain
Key Characteristics: Low to Moderate Precipitation, Hot Summers, Mild Winters
Keystone Species: Coyote
Fragile:
1. Prone to frequent wildfires, which can destroy plant and animal habitats.
2. Limited water availability during dry seasons makes ecosystems vulnerable to drought.
Strong:
1. Plant species are adapted to fire and drought conditions, regrowing quickly after fires.
2. Thick shrubs and deep roots help prevent soil erosion during rainy periods (no vegetation to absorb the water, hold dirt in place, or break up the energy of falling raindrops, a rainstorm leads to increased runoff and erosion).
Temperate Grassland (Prairie)
Example Country: Argentina
Key Characteristics: Moderate Precipitation, Hot Summers, Cold Winters
Keystone Species: Prairie Dog
Fragile:
1. Susceptible to overgrazing, which leads to soil degradation and desertification.
2. Fires and droughts can rapidly destroy vast areas of vegetation.
Strong:
1. Rich soil supports (moderate rain and high underground biomass) high productivity and quick plant regrowth after disturbance.
2. Grass species are adapted to fire and can regenerate quickly after burning.
Tundra
Example Country: Canada
Key Characteristics: Very Low Precipitation, Extremely Low Temperatures
Keystone Species: Arctic Fox
Fragile:
1. Short growing season and slow plant growth, making recovery from damage very slow.
2. Permafrost melting due to climate change disrupts ecosystems and releases stored carbon.
Strong:
1. Adapted to extreme cold, with specialized species that thrive in freezing conditions.
2. Permafrost provides a stable foundation for ecosystems, limiting soil erosion.
Coral Reef
Example Location: Great Barrier Reef, Australia
Key Characteristics: Warm, Shallow Waters; High Biodiversity; Low Nutrient Availability
Keystone Species: Parrotfish
Open Ocean (Pelagic Zone)
Example Location: Mid-Atlantic Ocean
Key Characteristics: Vast Open Water; Low Nutrient Availability; Variable Depths; Supports a Wide Range of Marine Life
Keystone Species: Tuna
Estuary
Example Location: Chesapeake Bay, USA
Key Characteristics: Where Freshwater Meets Saltwater; High Nutrient Availability; Nurseries for Many Marine Species
Keystone Species: Oysters
Salt Marsh
Example Location: Southeastern USA (Florida Everglades)
Key Characteristics: Coastal Wetlands; Salt-Tolerant Plants; High Nutrient Availability; Flood Protection and Water Filtration
Keystone Species: Blue Crab
Mangrove Swamp
Example Location: Sundarbans, India and Bangladesh
Key Characteristics: Coastal Wetlands; Salt-Tolerant Mangrove Trees; Important for Shoreline Stabilization and Habitat for Marine Life
Keystone Species: Mangrove Tree
Intertidal Zone
Example Location: Pacific Coast, USA
Key Characteristics: Area Between High and Low Tide; Organisms Adapted to Constantly Changing Conditions
Keystone Species: Sea Star
