Biomes Flashcards
Estuaries
Areas where freshwater and saltwater meets
Euphotic Zone
High levels of plant survival and photosynthesis
Closes to surface
Littoral Zone
Area of euphotic zone where sunlight penetrates the ocean floor
Disphotic Zone
Some sunlight, but not sufficient for plants
Bioluminescent species produce light here
Aphotic Zone
No light
Some bioluminescent species
Select fish can survive off of dead matter descending to ocean floor
Tropical Rainforests
Hot
Heavy rainfall
Tall trees with branches near the top
i..e Amazon
Highest amount of diversity
Savanas
Hot
Small amount of rainfall (seasonal)
Grasses
Scattered trees
Ungulates (large hooved herbivores)
i.e. African safari
Temperate Grasslands
Cool winters
Hot summers
Seasonal rainfall (less than savannas)
Grasses, small shrubs
Grazing mammals
i.e. Prairies
Temperate Deciduous Forests
Warm summers
Cold winters
Moderate precipitation
Snows during winter
Deciduous trees
Chaparral
Mild winter
Hot, dry summers
i.e. California forests
Trees, cacti
Prone to droughts
Deserts
Hot days
Cold night
Extreme temperature fluctuations
Cacti
i.e. Arizona
Taiga (Coniferous Forets)
Cold Winters
Warm, rainy summers
Coniferous trees
Largest terrestrial biome
Tundra
Cold
Little precipitation
i.e. Iceland, Arctic
Polar
Cold
No vegetation
Polar, penguins
