L30 Global Climates and Biomes Flashcards
what is the driving force of energy flow in an ecosystem?
the sun
what are producers?
they capture and utilise sun’s energy to build biomes
name the 3 types of consumers
omnivores, carnivores and herbivores
what is ecology?
the study of interactions between organisms and their environment
what is sustainability?
the act of meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs
how many UN sustainability goals are there ?
17
what is the circle of reliance?
environment supports society, society supports economy and the economy supports everyone
what sustainability goals are relevant to the biosphere?
1) Life below water
2) Life on land
3) Climate Action
4) Clean water and sanitation
how do minerals build up in soil?
eathering of bedrock
what does biome mean?
a characteristic assemblage of plants and animals that develops upon a defined climatic template that is typical of broad geographic regions
What biomes can you find along the equator?
tropical forest, savanna, temperate grassland
what biomes can you find 30 degrees south of equator?
savanna, temperate grassland, desert
what biomes can you find over 40 degrees north of equator?
temperate deciduous forest, coniferous forest, tundra
what is the relationship between climate and animals?
climate dictates vegetation
vegetation dictates animal population
what biome shows greatest range in temperature and precipitation?
temperate forest
what biome lowest range in temperature and precipitation?
temp - tundra
precipitation - desert
why does solar energy vary with latitude of earth?
spherical shape of earth results in an uneven distribution with respect to latitude
why do day lengths vary according to the position of earth?
sun is at an angle
why do temperature and precipitation vary according to global position?
pattern of movement of air masses
why do we get high rainfall near the equator?
due to high heat, water rises and evaporates, when high in air it cools and condenses forming rain
where does most precipitation occur?
at equator, 0 degrees
where in relation to the equator is most dry due to the evaporation of water in air?
30 - 23.5 degrees N and S of equator
what happens in low pressure areas?
air rises and releases moisture as precipitation
what happens in high pressure areas?
descending air absorbs moisture creating arid conditions
where do you expect high pressure?
30 - 23.5 degrees N and S of equator
where do you expect low pressure?
nearest the equator, 0 degrees
what abiotic factor influences biome temperatures?
the ocean currents transport heat and cold
example gulf of mexico heats Ireland up
what would happen if the gulf of mexico’s current switched?
Ireland would be 20 degrees colder
what would happen if the gulf of mexico’s current switched?
Ireland would be 20 degrees colder
what is biome productivity?
the rate at which biomass is produced per unit area by plants
what is primary productivity?
rate at which biomass is produced per unit area by plants
what is net primary productivity?
the biomass left after some primary productivity has been respired away by the plants themselves
what represents the actual rate of production of new biomass?
net primary productivity
what happens biomes the further they venture from the centre of earth?
less nutrients, low productivity
what 3 strategies have plants evolved?
competitors, stress-tolerators and ruderals
what plant type makes up majority of biomass in Desert?
Therophytes (annuals), fast life cycle
what plant type makes up majority of tropical rainforest?
phanerophytes
what plant type makes up the majority of tundra?
hemicryptophytes
