Module 12

Question 1

What regions of the Earth (on land, in oceans) are characterized by high biomass? Why?

Answer 1

Closer to the equator because there are higher intensity of insolation and therefore, more energy stored in plants available for consumption and provides optimal climate

Question 2

What regions of the Earth (0n land, in oceans) are characterized by low biomass? Why?

Answer 2

Further from the equator because there is lower intensity insolation. Meaning less energy stored in plants and less optimal climate

Question 3

Describe a tundra biome

Answer 3

Located in high latitudes in North America and Russia
Also occurs in high altitude environments
Associated with permafrost
Dominated by stunted shrubs, grasses, sedges, mosses, and lichens
Forms an ecotone with Boreal Forest

Question 4

Describe the pattern of vegetation zonation associated with an increase in elevation or latitude

Answer 4

Vertical zonation refers to changes in the vegetation occurring with increasing elevation
Surface air temperatures decrease as altitude increases; climate becomes progressively colder and drier
Treeline is the elevation/latitude above which conditions are too harsh for trees

Starting at the bottom deciduous forest, coniferous forest, treeline, alpine grassland/isolated shrubs, then moss/lichen/apline grasses

Question 5

Describe the pattern of floodplain plant succession. What is the climax vegetation cover in this riparian environment?

Answer 5

Riparian zones are areas immediately adjacent to a stream
These environments have more water available to support plant growth
Riparian zones support denser vegetation cover than surrounding environments
Access to water is an important factor in arid or semi-arid regions, where water is often scarce

Question 6

Describe the impacts of human populations of forest and grassland biomes.

Answer 6

Deforestation, fires, littering, development, pollution