Large scale ecosystems Flashcards
Tundra
Canada
Temperature range between -34 degrees and 12 degrees
total annual rainfall 200mm, much of which falls as snow
Short growing season of about 60 days
Tundra
Plants
Plant species which have a shallow root system and are low to the ground to cope with the harsh climate, such as mosses, lichens, grasses and dwarf shrubs.
Boreal forests
Russia
Temperature range between -10 degrees and 15 degrees
Total annual rainfall is 500mm
Evergreen trees
Shallow root system
Trees such as pine and fir
Temperate
USA
Temperature range between 4 degrees and 17 degrees
Total annual rainfall 1,000mm
Trees lose their leaves in winter to reduce transpiration
Tropical forests
Brazil
Temp range 27 degrees and 30 degrees
Total annual rainfall 2,200mm
Vegetation is on four layers - emergent, canopy, under canopy, shrub layer
Temperate grassland
Argentina
Temperature range 10 degrees and 18 degrees
Total annual rainfall of 500 MM
Trees generally not found in area
Tropical grassland
Kenya
Temp range 25 degrees and 30 degrees
Total annual rainfall 1,000
Animals reproduce during wet season
Few trees
Desert
Australia
Temp range 30 degrees and 35 degrees
Low rainfall
Short shrubs
