Chapter 49-Biomes

Question 1

Biomes

Answer 1

regions defined by distinct abiotic characteristics and dominant vegetation

Question 2

Natural Biomes

Answer 2

type of biome present in a terrestrial region depends mostly on climate—temperature, moisture, sunlight, and wind

Question 3

Temperature

Answer 3

defines the range of species

Question 4

Moisture

Answer 4

required for life; organisms constantly lose water to evaporation/transpiration

Question 5

Sunlight

Answer 5

needed for photosynthesis

Question 6

Wind

Answer 6

exacerbates the effects of temperature and moisture

Question 7

Anthropogenic (Human) Biomes

Answer 7

> 75% of Earth’s ice-free land is directly altered by H.s.
Examples: farming, logging, and urban development (not including the effects of pollution, invasive species, or climate change)
–Wildlands account for just 11% of terrestrial NPP (Net Primary Production)
–Climate is affected by deforestation and greenhouse gases

Question 8

Will global climate change affect terrestrial biomes?

Answer 8

YES

-deserts and drought -more evaporation mean more precipation (extreme wet and dry areas)

Question 9

Simulation studies

Answer 9

models of weather patterns

Question 10

Observational studies

Answer 10

long-term monitoring

Question 11

Historical studies

Answer 11

reconstructing prehistorical trends

Question 12

Experiments

Answer 12

simulate changed climate conditions and to record organisms’ responses

Question 13

Aquatic Biomes

Answer 13

About 70 percent of Earth’s surface is covered in water

Question 14

1. Salinity

Answer 14

~ concentration of solutes

Affects water balance of organisms (osmosis

Question 15

2. Water depth (and light)

Answer 15

Water absorbs and scatters light
The turbidity/cloudiness
Light →productivity

Question 16

3. Water Flow

Answer 16

The rate of movement:
–Organisms →body shapes and/or behavioural adaptations
–Flow rate can also determine how much oxygen is available to organisms

Question 17

4. Nutrient Availability

Answer 17

In the ocean photic zone, sunlight is abundant, but nutrients are not
When organisms die, they sink to the benthic zone
Organisms in the benthic zone survive by consuming materials from the photic zone

Question 18

3 types of water flow provide critical nutrients

Answer 18

1. Coastal runoff
2. Ocean upwelling -bring nutrients to the surface
3. Lake turnover- Lakes turn over each spring and fall