Chapter 05: The Biome Concept Flashcards
growth form (n.)
physical structure of plants
convergence (n.)
the process by which unrelated organisms evolve similar traits in response to similar environmental conditions
How many biomes are there?
Nine (I - IX)
What is biome I?
Tropical rain forest
What is biome II?
Tropical seasonal forest/savanna
What is biome III?
Subtropical desert
What is biome IV?
Woodland/shrubland
What is biome V?
Temperate rain forest
What is biome VI?
Temperate seasonal forest
What is biome VII?
Temperate grassland/desert
What is biome VIII?
Boreal forest
What is biome IX?
Tundra
What is the climate zone for a tropical rain forest?
Equatorial: always moist, lacking temperature seasonality
What is the climate zone for a tropical seasonal forest/savanna?
Tropical: summer rainy season, “winter” dry season
What is the climate zone of a subtropical desert?
Subtropical (hot deserts): highly seasonal, arid climate
What is the climate zone of a woodland/shrubland?
Mediterranean: winter rainy season, summer drought
What is the climate zone of a temperate rain forest?
Warm temperature: occasional frost, often with summer rainfall maximum
What is the climate zone of a temperate grassland/desert?
Continental (cold deserts): arid, with warm or hot summers and cold winters
What is the climate zone of a boreal forest?
Boreal: cold temperature, with cool summers and long winters
What is the climate zone of a tundra?
Polar: very short cool summers, long very cold winters
lentic system (n.)
non-flowing water, such as lake or pond
littoral zone (lentic) (n.)
shallow zone around the edge
limnetic (or pelagic) zone (n.)
open water beyond the littoral zone
benthic zone (lentic) (n.)
area containing sediments at the bottom of lakes/ponds
estuaries (n.)
areas of fresh and salt water mixing, found at the mouth of rivers
littoral zone (marine) (n.)
zone between the lowest and highest tidal water levels; also called intertidal zone
neritic zone (n.)
area between low tidal mark and edge of continental shelf
oceanic zone (n.)
area beyond neritic zone; begins at edge of continental shelf, contains photic and aphotic zones
benthic zone (marine) (n.)
very bottom, below neritic and oceanic zones, solely aphotic
What are the characteristics of aquatic biomes?
Salinity, water movement, depth, and light
lotic system (n.)
system with rapidly flowing fresh water (river)
liana (n.)
long stemmed, woody vine plants, use trees to grow upwards
