LESSON 6: BIOMES, MARINE ENVIRONMENT, AND FRESHWATER ECOSYSTEMS Flashcards
Branch of biology that deals with components and structure of ecosystems as well as the interactions between species in an ecosystem
Ecology
describes the place or set of environmental conditions in which a particular organism lives
Habitat
describes both the role played by a species in a biological community and the total set of environmental factors that determine a species distribution
Ecological niche
Large, relatively distinct terrestrial region that has similar climate, soil, plants, and animals regardless of where it occurs
Biomes
Temperatures are warm to hot with abundant rainfall all year round. Soil is thin, acidic, and nutrient poor. Rapid decomposition and recycling of nutrients
Tropical Rainforest
you can find evergreen flowering plants, epiphyte communities, insects, reptiles, amphibians, birds, canopy-dwelling mammals in this area
Tropical Rainforest
Tropical grasslands. Have rainy season but rains are less dependable
Savanna
you can find grasses, sparse tree populations with fire-adapted features, herds of herbivores (antelopes, giraffes, zebras, elephants) and large predators (lions, hyenas) in this area
Savanna
Low precipitation. Low water vapor leads to daily temperature extremes of hot and cold
Dessert
you can find cacti, yuccas, Joshua trees, sage brushes, dessert animals, insects, reptiles, estivating animals in this area
Desert
Occur in midlatitude areas with enough rain. Has organic rich soils. Converted to farmlands (corn, soy, wheat, etc.)
Temperate Grasslands
you can find mix of grasses and herbaceous flowering plants, prairies, bison, wolves, coyotes, prairie dogs, falcons, insects in this area
Temperate Grasslands
Deciduous or evergreen temperate forests. Midlatitude forests experiencing four seasons. Supplies wood for lumber and pulpwood
Temperate forests
you can find deciduous trees, large evergreen trees, epiphyte vegetation (mosses, lichens, ferns), Squirrels, wood rats, numerous bird species, mountain lions, wolves, deer, bears, small mammals, birds in this area
Temperate forests
Cold temperatures, evergreen forest of the north
Boreal Forests/ Taiga
you can find conifers, pine trees, hemlocks, Caribou, wolves, bears, moose, rodents, rabbits, lynx, migratory birds, insects, few amphibians and reptile in this area
Boreal Forests/ Taiga
Extreme northern latitudes. Below freezing temperatures, permafrost. Low species richness and low primary productivity. Threatened by climate change.
Tundra
you can find mosses, lichens, occasional dwarf willows and dwarf birches, weasels, arctic foxes, gray wolves, snowy owls, mosquitoes, blackflies, migration of waterfowl, shorebirds, terns, and songbirds in this area
Tundra
marine environment is depend on ____________________
photosynthetic organisms (algae, phytoplanktons)
Oceans nearly cover ____ of the earth’s surface
¾
Relatively low productivity but source of commercial fisheries
Open oceans
(bottom/sea floor)
Benthic
(floating) zones
pelagic
Extraordinary biological productivity. Beautiful organisms. Has a clear, shallow waters, with sufficient light penetration
coral reefs
