Chapter 3: Communities, Biomes and Ecosystems Flashcards
Ecological Succession is…
The change in an ecosystem that happens when one community replaces another as a result of changing biotic and abiotic factors.
Primary Succession is…
The establishment of a community in an area of exposed rock that does not have any topsoil.
Doesn’t go back, if disaster occurs, to this cycle.
Secondary Succession is…
The orderly and predictable changes that takes place after a community of organisms has been removed but the soil has remained intact.
Climax Community is…
The stable, mature community that results when there is little change in the composition of species.
Weather is…
The condition of the atmosphere at a specific time and place.
Latitude is…
The distance of any point on the surface of Earth north or south from the equator.
Climate is…
The average weather conditions in an area, including temperature and precipitation.
Tundra
A treeless biome with a layer of permanently frozen soil below the surface called permafrost.
Boreal Forest
Also called northern coniferous forest, or taiga. Evergreen forest. No permafrost.
Temperate Forest
Mostly of broad-leaved, deciduous trees. All four seasons occur.
Temperate Woodland and Shrub land
Less annual precipitation than in temperate forests.
Temperate Grassland
A biome that is characterized by fertile soils that are able to support a thick cover of grasses.
Desert
Any area in which the annual rate of evaporation exceeds the rate of precipitation.
Tropical Savannah
Grasses and scattered trees in climates that receive less precipitation than some other tropical areas.
Tropical Seasonal Forest
Precipitation. Also called, tropical dry forests.
Tropical Rain Forest
Warm temperatures and large amounts of rainfall throughout the year.
Freshwater
Rovers, ponds, lakes…
Sediment is…
Material that is deposited by water, wind or glaciers.
Freshwater Zones
Top To Bottom
Littoral Zone: The area closest to the shore.
Limnetic Zone: Open water area that is well lit and is dominated by plankton.
Profundal Zone: Deepest areas of a large lake, minimal light penetrates.
Wetlands are…
Water and soil together.
Estuaries are…
Freshwater combines with saltwater.
Marine Zones
Intertidal Zone: Narrow band where the ocean meets land.
Photic Zone: The area to a depth of about 200m of the pelagic zone; euphoric zone.
Aphotic Zone: An area where sunlight is unable to penetrate.
Benthic Zone: The area along the ocean floor that consists of sand, silt, and dead organisms.
Abyssal Zone: Deepest region of the ocean.
