lecture 31 - terrestrial ecosystems: forests and grasslands

Question 1

what can survive the dry season with an annual rainfall of 100-200mm

Answer 1

only grasses

Question 2

what can survive the dry season with an annual rainfall of up to 300mm

Answer 2

shrubs

Question 3

what can survive the dry season with an annual rainfall of up to 400mm

Answer 3

solitary trees

Question 4

what can survive the dry season with an annual rainfall of over 400mm

Answer 4

dense trees

Question 5

where are tropical rainforests located

Answer 5

nearest to equator with lots of rain

Question 6

what are the types of tropical forests

Answer 6

rain, deciduous and dry

Question 7

what type of environment is a tropical rainforest

Answer 7

low-stress low disturbance

Question 8

what makes up a tropical rainforest

Answer 8

tall slender trees, more plants and animals than all other biomes combined

Question 9

what are epiphytes

Answer 9

plants that live on trees no roots in the ground

Question 10

what makes up a dry forest

Answer 10

thorny shrubs and tree succulents

Question 11

what is rainforest soil like

Answer 11

rapid nutrient recycling nutrients not storedin the soil makes it susceptible to leaching as roots are not deep

Question 12

where are tropical deciduous forests located

Answer 12

area with distinct wet and dry season

Question 13

what makes up a deciduous forest

Answer 13

deciduous trees and shrubs

Question 14

where are tropical dry forests located

Answer 14

lowland area with a prolonged dry season and scarce rainfall

Question 15

what are the types of temperate and boreal forests

Answer 15

boreal forest climate, temperate forest , deciduous habit

Question 16

where are temperate and boreal forests located

Answer 16

midlatitudes to artic circle

Question 17

features of temperate and boreal forests

Answer 17

seasonality period of dormancy

Question 18

seasons in boreal forest climate

Answer 18

long and cold winters
short and wet summers

Question 19

what are boreal forest climates made up of

Answer 19

conifer trees

Question 20

what is boreal forest climate soil like

Answer 20

thin, nutrient poor and acidic

Question 21

seasons in temperate forests

Answer 21

warm summer
cold winter

Question 22

what is rainfall like in temperate forests

Answer 22

relatively high throughout the year

Question 23

how long is the growth season in a temperate forest

Answer 23

6-9 months

Question 24

what is the soil like in a temperate forest

Answer 24

deep fertile with thick litter layer

Question 25

what is a deciduous habit like

Answer 25

tree growth, litter producing good soil fertility

Question 26

what is the rainfall like in a grassland

Answer 26

250-700mm per year

Question 27

types of grassland

Answer 27

tropical, temperate

Question 28

temperate grassland seasons

Answer 28

cold winters and long dry season

Question 29

disturbances and stresses in temperate grasslands

Answer 29

grazing and fire

Question 30

soil in temperate grassland

Answer 30

low rainfall means low leaching = fertile soil

Question 31

what role do grasslands play in farming

Answer 31

conversion to tillage for corn and wheat crops

Question 32

tropical grassland seasons

Answer 32

warm climate long dry season

Question 33

tropical grassland stress and disturbances

Answer 33

regular fires and grazing

Question 34

importance of disturbances in tropical grassland

Answer 34

nutrient cycling and preventing tree growth

Question 35

the soil in tropical grassland

Answer 35

lower nutrient

Question 36

plant adaptation to grazing

Answer 36

basal meristem, tillering, rhizomes, chemical compounds, spines