lecture 04 - what is an aquatic system? Flashcards
what direction do winds deflect to in the northern hemisphere?
to the right of the direction of travel
what is a terrestrial biome?
major divisions of the terrestrial environment with a similar climate, distinguished primarily by their predominant vegetation
what does solar radiation and atmospheric cells affect?
the average annual temperature
the average sum of annual precipitation
what is soil?
a complex mixture of organic and non-living inorganic material upon which most terrestrial life depends
how are soils formed?
weather
what is mechanical weathering?
the breakdown of rock into smaller particles from the combined action of water, wind, and plant growth through the soil (roots)
what are the two chemical processes of chemical weathering?
solution: breakdown of limestone by acidic rainwater
hydrolysis: breakdown of rock by acidic rainwater (clay and soluble salts)
what does temperature and precipitation affect?
predominant vegetation and the soil
what are the terrestrial biomes in canada?
temperate grassland
temperate forest
boreal forest
tundra
what latitude are the tropical rainforests located at?
10 degrees from the equator
what latitude are the deserts located at?
30 degrees from the equator, north of the tropics of cancer
what is the most modified biome?
the temperate grasslands
they are converted into farmland (high amounts of nutrients in the soil) however alterations can cause instability in the biome
what latitude are the temperate forests located at?
30-35 degrees from the equator
what latitude are the boreal forests (taiga) located at?
55-65 degrees from the equator
what can prolonged cold temperature cause on boreal forests?
the production can become delayed and growth becomes limited
