Chapter 15 - The Biosphere Flashcards
What is the biosphere? 15.1
The part of earth where life exists; all of earth’s ecosystems
What is the biota? 15.1
Collection of living things that live in the biota
What are the earth’s 4 major interconnected systems?
Biosphere
Atmosphere
Geosphere
Hydrosphere
What is a climate? 15.2
The long term pattern of weather conditions in a region
- average temperature
- precipitation
- relative humidity
What is a microclimate? 15.2
The climate of a small specific place within a larger area
Characteristics of the tundra biome
Located in high altitudes in North America and Eurasia
Has 5 million acres of treeless area
Strong westerly winds keep it cold
Permafrost-permanent frozen layer of soil
Organisms: lichen, dwarf woody plants, very little grass, polar bear, musk ox, snowy owl, caribou, reindeer, wolves, foxes
Low precipitation, most in the form of snow
Characteristics of the prairie/temperate grassland biome
Occur when fires and droughts prevent trees from growing
Ground dwelling animals
Organisms: very little trees, insects, grazing and burrowing animals, grasses
Weather: little rain and very dry
Temperate temperatures
Characteristics of the temperate deciduous forest biome
Mild climate
We live here
Lots of rain (75-250 cm of precipitation)
Warm summers, cold winters
Eastern US, Southeast Canada, much of Eurasia
Organisms: Deer, beavers, squirrels, trees (oak, hickory, beech, pine)
Characteristics of the tropical rainforest biome
3 layers of the rain forest Limited sunlight for floor life Organisms: monkeys, foxes, leopard, trees Largest biodiversity of all biomes Warm temperatures year round Located at the equator Organisms use a lot of vocalizations Abundant rainfall
Characteristics of the savanna/tropical grassland biome
Less rain than tropical rain forest
Long dry seasons, short wet seasons
Located in Eastern Africa, S. America, Australia
Organisms: grazing and browsing mammals, large carnivores, grass, scattered trees, lions, zebras
Characteristics of the ocean biome
Cover 71% of the world, largest habitat
Support about ½ species on Earth
Made up of open ocean, benthic zones, intertidal zones, estuaries, etc…
Organisms: octopus, coral reefs, fish, shallow plants, plankton, seaweed, kelp, algae
Characteristics of the freshwater ecosystems biome
Divided into two categories: standing (ponds and lakes) and flowing (rivers, streams)
Organisms: fish, plankton, snakes, frogs, aquatic plants
Characteristics of the taiga/coniferous forest biome
Found in Northern hemisphere, N. America, Asia
Organisms: needle-leaf trees, cone-bearing trees, lynx, weasel, large herbivores like moose and elk, beavers, songbirds
Short warm summers, long winters
Moderate to high humidity/precipitation
Acidic and nutrient poor soil
