Lesson 5 Flashcards
a group of land ecosystems with similar climates and organisms
biome
is the most important abiotic factor affecting the distribution of terrestrial biomes.
Climate
Climate includes___?___and ___?___, and it determines growing season
temperatureand precipitation
RAINFORESTS, DESERTS, GRASSLANDS, DECIDOUS FORESTS, BOREAL FORESTS, & TUNDRA
LAND
: FRESHWATER & MARINE ECOSYSTEMS
WATER
Types of Ecosystems
- Terrestrial
> Desert
> Grassland
> Forest - Aquatic
> Freshwater
> Marine
More than one-third of the earth’s surface
Average PRECIPITATION is LOW
An area that receives less than 25 cm of rain per year.
The Desert
TYPES OF DESERT
- Tropical Desert
- Temperate Desert (Mid-Latitude Desert)
- Cold Desert (High Latitude Desert)
The scorching ___?___ in Africa cools rapidly after the sun goes down.
Namib desert
in central Asia is cooler and even experiences freezing temperatures in the winter.
Gobi Desert
MODERATE PRECIPITATION
Provide homes and breeding grounds for many wildlife species such as grazing animals
Receive 25 to 75 cm of rain per year.
The Grasslands
TYPES OF GRASSLAND
- Tropical Grassland (Savanna)
- Temperate Grassland (Mid-Latitude)
- Polar Grassland (High-Latitude)
Grassland that is located closer to the equator than prairies.
Savanna
Average PRECIPITATION is HIGH
Consist of various species of trees and smaller woody forms of vegetation.
The Forests
TYPES OF FOREST
- Tropical Rainforest
- Temperate Forest
- Cold Forest
There are 2 main types of rain forests:
Temperate Rain Forests and Tropical Rain Forests.
Found in regions close to the equator
Warm and humid all year long.
Lots of precipitation.
Diverse plant growth.
TROPICAL RAIN FORESTS
A leafy roof formed by the tallest trees.
Canopy
A second layer of shorter trees and vines.
Understory
having moderate temperatures.
Northwestern coast of U.S. is a temperate rain forest.
Receives more than 300 cm of rain per year.
TEMPERATE RAIN FORESTS
Trees that shed their leaves and grow new ones each year (Oaks, Maples…)
Receive enough rain to support the growth of trees and other plants (at least 50 cm per year).
Growing season is 5 to 6 months long.
DECIDUOUS FOREST
Mostly contains coniferous trees (trees that produce their seeds in cones and have leaves shaped like needles). Ex. Fir, Spruce, Hemlock…
Very cold winters (a lot of snow).
Warm and rainy summers.
BOREAL FOREST (taiga)
Extremely cold and dry biome.
Usually receives NO more precipitation than a desert biome.
Most soil is frozen all year long (permafrost)
During summer, the top layer of soil thaws, but the rest remains frozen.
TUNDRA
Approximately 71% of the Earth’s surface
Contain approximately 97% of the planet’s water
They are distinguished from freshwater ecosystems by the presence of dissolved compounds, especially salts, in the water
Marine Ecosystems
Where freshwater of a river meets saltwater of the ocean.
Estuary
The area between the highest high
tide line and the lowest low tide line
Intertidal Zone
The area below the low tide line which extends over the continental shelf.
Neritic Zone
Separated into two zones
Open Ocean
The first few hundred meters deep of the ocean(where light penetrates).
Surface Zone
Below the surface zone (totally dark and home to many BIZZARE organisms).
Deep Zone
Low salt concentration — usually less than 1%.
Plants and animals in __?__ regions are adjusted to the low salt content and would not be able to survive in areas of high salt concentration.
include streams, rivers, ponds and lakes.
Freshwater ecosystems
TYPES OF FRESHWATER ECOSYSTEM
- Lentic
- Lotic
- Wetlands
Slow-moving water
Examples: ponds and lakes
Lentic
Rapidly-moving water
Examples: streams and rivers
Lotic
Soils remain saturated for a long period of time
Examples: marsh and swamps
Wetlands
Animals adapt to the ___?___ current (hooks and suckers to cling to rocks, streamline bodies).
Few -plants or algae can grow because of the strong currents.
Animals rely on seeds and leaves to fall in the water as food.
Rivers and Streams
Bodies of standing or still freshwater.
Ponds and Lakes
Shallow enough for sunlight to hit bottom (allowing plants to grow there).
Ponds
Too deep for plants to grow on the bottom, so algae grows and floats on top of water.
Lakes
