Bio112 Lecture 16 Biomes and Population Biology 1 Flashcards
What defines a subtropical desert?
Hot, dry regions with minimal precipitation, wide daily temperature changes, and plant adaptations like deep roots and water storage.
What defines a chaparral biome?
Mediterranean climate, wet winters and dry summers, fire-adapted shrubs, and nutrient-poor soils.
What are characteristics of temperate grasslands?
Hot summers, cold winters, grass-dominated, rich soil, fire and grazing adapted.
What are features of temperate forests?
Seasonal temperature variation, evenly distributed rainfall, deciduous trees.
What defines boreal forests (taiga)?
Cold-tolerant conifers, acidic nitrogen-poor soils, lower productivity.
What is unique about tundra biomes?
Low precipitation, short growing seasons, permafrost, low-lying plants.
What are the major marine zones?
Intertidal (tide zones), neritic (over continental shelf), pelagic (open water), benthic (sea floor), and hydrothermal vent zones.
Why are coral reefs important?
Biodiverse, built on mutualism between coral and algae, found in shallow, warm waters.
What are estuaries?
Brackish water ecosystems where freshwater meets the ocean. Important for fish nurseries.
What defines freshwater aquatic biomes?
Lakes, rivers, wetlands, influenced by flow rate, temperature, oxygen, and nutrient levels.
What is a population in ecology?
A group of interbreeding individuals in a defined geographic area.
What parameters define a population?
Size, density, distribution, age/sex demographics, and growth rate.
How is population size estimated?
Quadrats, transects, aerial surveys, and mark-recapture techniques.
What does population density indicate?
How crowded an area is, affects mating chances, competition, and habitat usage.
