Chpater 2. Life On Land

Question 1

Distinguished primarily by their predominant plants

Answer 1

Biomes

Question 2

The study of how organisms in a particular area are influenced by factors such as climate, soils, predators, competitors, and evolutionary history.

Answer 2

Natural History

Question 3

Most important factor for understanding the distribution of biomes has to do with ______

Answer 3

Climate

Question 4

Particular characteristics that allow them to survive, such as waxy coatings on leaves that prevent water loss.

Answer 4

Functional Traits

Question 5

These functional traits of plants arise through evolution via ________________ by the environment.

Answer 5

Selective Pressure

Question 6

Plants and other photosynthesizing organisms are called ___________

Answer 6

Primary Producers

Question 7

Biomes are defined by _______

Answer 7

Plants

Question 8

The biomass produced by primary producers per unit time.

Answer 8

Primary Production

Question 9

Combine to produce predictable latitudinal and seasonal variations in climate. (2)

Answer 9

1. Uneven heating of the Earth’s surface
2. The tilt of the Earth

Question 10

Global distribution of biomes is determined primarily by the _________

Answer 10

Climate

Question 11

Uneven heating of the earth’s surface results from the __________ (2)

Answer 11

1. Spherical shape
2. Axial tilt

Question 12

Because the earth is a sphere, the sun’s rays are most concentrated where the sun is _________

Answer 12

Directly overhead

Question 13

This seasonal change occurs because the earth’s axis of rotation is not perpendicular to its plane of orbit about the sun but is tilted approximately ______ away from the perpendicular

Answer 13

23. 5°

Question 14

Northern Hemisphere is tilted toward the sun and receives more solar energy than the Southern Hemisphere.

Answer 14

Northern Summer

Question 15

Approximately June 21, the sun is directly overhead at the tropic of Cancer, at 23.5° N latitude.

Answer 15

Northern Summer Solstice

Question 16

Northern Hemisphere is tilted away from the sun and the Southern Hemisphere receives more solar energy.

Answer 16

Northern Winter

Question 17

Sun is directly overhead at the equator. Approximately March 21 and September 22 or 23. On those dates, the Northern and Southern Hemispheres receive approximately equal amounts of solar radiation.

Answer 17

Spring and Autumnal Equinoxes

Question 18

Winds that blow from the northeast in the Northern Hemisphere, and from the southeast in the Southern Hemisphere.

Answer 18

Northeast and southeast trade

Question 19

Winds within the temperate belt between 30° and 60° latitude would observe that winds blow mainly from the west.

Answer 19

Westerlies

Question 20

Predominant wind direction is from the east.

Answer 20

Polar Easterlies

Question 21

The prevailing winds do not move in a straight north–south direction because of the ________

Answer 21

Coriolis Effect

Question 22

Causes an apparent deflection of winds to the right of their direction of travel and to the left in the Southern Hemisphere.

Answer 22

Coriolis Effect

Question 23

Subtropical and polar air masses meet, creating a moist temperate climate. Give example.

Answer 23

Temperate Forest

Question 24

Dry descending air absorbs moisture, forming _______

Answer 24

Deserts

Question 25

Rising air at the equator is associated with a moist tropical climate. Give example.

Answer 25

Tropical Rain Forest

Question 26

Who developed the Climate Diagram?

Answer 26

Heinrich Walter

Question 27

A tool to explore the relationship between the distribution of terrestrial vegetation and climate.

Answer 27

Climate Diagram

Question 28

Summarize a great deal of useful climatic information, including seasonal variation in temperature and precipitation, and the length and intensity of wet and dry seasons.

Answer 28

Climate Diagram

Question 29

Rate of weathering, rate of leaching, rate of erosion, transport of mineral particles, rate of decomposition, kind of vegetation and animals

Answer 29

Climate

Question 30

quantity and quality of organic matter, rate of soil mixing

Answer 30

Organisms

Question 31

rates and direction of water flow, patterns of erosion

Answer 31

Topography

Question 32

set the stage for all other influences

Answer 32

Parent material

Question 33

soil ______ influence soil structure

Answer 33

Age

Question 34

Many of the world’s staple foods, including corn, rice, bananas, and sugarcane, and approximately 25% of all prescription drugs were originally derived from ____________

Answer 34

tropical plants

Question 35

Tropical dry forests occupy a substantial portion of the earth’s surface between about _______ latitude

Answer 35

10° to 25°

Question 36

_________ also help savannas persist in wet areas, particularly in South America.

Answer 36

Impermeable soils

Question 37

Are due to uneven heating of the Earth's surface

Answer 37

Climate variation

Question 38

approx. Dec. 21, directly overhead at the tropic of Capricorn

Answer 38

Northern winter solstice

Question 39

Air moving from _____ latitude toward the equator completes an atmospheric circulation cell at low latitudes.

Answer 39

30°

Question 40

This layer is generally rich in mineral nutrients

Answer 40

A Horizon

Question 41

Under the C horizon is the unweathered parent material, which is often the ______5.

Answer 41

bedrock

Question 42

An approach that seeks to preserve tropical dry forests for its own sake and as a place that provides a host of human benefits, ranging from drinking water to intellectual stimulation is called

Answer 42

biocultural restoration.