Lecture II. Species Distributions, Biomes

Question 1

What determines species distributions?

Answer 1

Both ecological factors and evolutionary history

ex. kangaroos only found in australia bc isolated, dispersal limited, and habitat limited

Question 2

Define dispersal

Answer 2

the movement of individuals away from centers of high population density or from their areas of origin

Question 3

Dispersal and dispersal limitations contribute to ____

Answer 3

global distribution of species

Question 4

___ affects distribution

Answer 4

dispersal, biotic factors, abiotic factors, ecological factors, evolutionary species

Question 5

what do natural range expansions show us (mountains)

Answer 5

the influence of dispersal on distribution, mountains can act as barriers to dispersal

Question 6

Define species transplants

Answer 6

• organisms that are intentionally/accidentally relocated outside their original distribution, can disrupt communities/ecosystems to which they have been introduced. invasive species = non native; will cause environmental harm or harm to human health.

Question 7

Define biome

Answer 7

a major type of biological assemblage

Question 8

how is a biome determined on land? In water?

Answer 8

on land: temperature and rainfall (and seasonality)
in water: temperature, depth, salinity

Question 9

what are the two fundamental aspects of biomes?

Answer 9

primary productivity and biodiversity

Question 10

Define primary productivity

Answer 10

rate of plant production of biomass (amount of plant growth that is occurring in a given area over a given time)

Question 11

Define biodiversity

Answer 11

number of species

Question 12

If the same biomes in different regions of the world have different species with similar characteristics. That is an example of what?

Answer 12

Convergent evolution

Question 13

Define convergent evolution

Answer 13

the evolution of similar features/growth forms among distantly related species in response to similar selection pressures

Question 14

Three types of terrestrial biomes include

Answer 14

tundra, desert, and tropical forest
- determined by climate, (avg percipitation and temp)

Question 15

Define disturbance

Answer 15

An event such as a storm, fire, or human activity that changes a community

ex. fires that can kill woody plants and maintain vegetation of a savanna and hurricanes creating openings in forests allowing different species to grow

Question 16

8 types of terrestrial biomes

Answer 16

1) tropical forests (rain forests and dry forests)
2) temperate broadleaf forests
3) northern coniferous forest (Taiga)
4) chaparral
5) savanna
6) temperate grasslands
7) deserts
8) tundra

Question 17

Drivers of species distribution are

Answer 17

evolutionary history and ecological features (dispersal [mountains] + biotic factors [species interactions])

Question 18

Know temperature patterns (emphasis on this), precipitation patterns, and disturbance patterns of each biome

Answer 18

…

Question 19

compare contrast biome questions and ask common characters of some questions / know general location (not too many questions about biomes on the exam)

Answer 19

…

Question 20

intertidal zones

Answer 20

next to the shore, submerged and exposed by the tides

Question 21

Distribution

Answer 21

how a biological taxon (species) is arranged spatially

Question 22

Dispersal

Answer 22

Movement of individuals away from centers of high population density or from their area of origin

Question 23

Species transplants

Answer 23

organisms that are intentionally or accidentally moved out from their original location into a new environment

Question 24

Biomes

Answer 24

a large scale biological community shaped by the physical environment they are found in

Question 25

Primary productivity

Answer 25

Rate of plant production of biomass (amount of plant growth in a given area over a given time)

Question 26

Biodiversity

Answer 26

number of species

Question 27

convergent evolution

Answer 27

the evolution of similar features/growth forms among distantly related species in response to similar selection pressures

Question 28

disturbance

Answer 28

an event such as a storm, fire, or human activity that changes a community

Question 29

permafrost

Answer 29

a permanently frozen layer of soil

Question 30

what are the eight different aquatic biomes?

Answer 30

1. coral reefs
2. oceans (pelagic)
3. oceans (benthic)
4. intertidal
5. wetlands
6. estuaries
7. lakes
8. rivers and streams