natural vegetation !! Flashcards
What is natural vegetation?
Plants that are not grown by humans but get everything needed from its natural environment.
What factors influence the growth of vegetation?
Temperature, moisture, and slope thickness of soil.
What is the main type of vegetation in forests?
Trees.
What do forests require to survive?
Regular supply of sunlight and rainfall.
Name the three types of forests.
- Tropical rainforest
- Temperate deciduous forest
- Temperate coniferous forest
Where are tropical rainforests located?
In the Equator of the Earth.
What type of climate do tropical rainforests have?
High temperature and rainfall.
List three regions where tropical rainforests can be found.
- Amazon Basin
- Congo Basin
- Southeast Asia
What characterizes the plant growth in tropical rainforests?
Wild variety of trees and plants that grow very close together.
What are the three distinct layers of a tropical rainforest?
- Emergent layer
- Canopy layer
- Undergrowth layer
What adaptations do leaves in tropical rainforests have?
- Broad surfaces to absorb maximum sunlight
- Slippery and slick to remove rainwater quickly
Describe the emergent layer of a tropical rainforest.
Made up of very tall trees that range from 40-50 meters tall.
What is unique about the canopy layer?
Interlock crowns that form a continuous leaf cover.
What does the undergrowth layer mainly consist of?
Shrubs, ferns, mosses, and fungi.
What is the geographical location of temperate forests?
Between 23.5° - 66.5° N and S.
What climate do temperate forests have?
Seasonal changes (Four seasons).
What is a key characteristic of temperate deciduous forests?
Shed leaves during Autumn.
What latitude range is associated with temperate deciduous forests?
40° - 60° N and S of the Equator.
What temperature range do temperate deciduous forests experience?
-2° - 18°C.
What are common tree varieties in temperate deciduous forests?
- Oak
- Maple
- Sycamore
- Elm
What layers are present in temperate deciduous forests?
- Canopy
- Shrub
- Forest layer
What latitude range is associated with temperate coniferous forests?
Beyond 60° North Pole wards.
What temperature range do temperate coniferous forests experience?
-12° - 10°C.
What does ‘coniferous’ indicate?
Trees are cone-shaped.
What type of leaves do coniferous trees have?
Small and needle-like leaves.
What is the geographical location of grasslands?
Between forests and deserts.
What is the temperature range of grasslands?
-20° - 30°C.
What are the two types of grasslands?
- Tropical savannah
- Temperate grassland
Describe the climate of tropical savannah.
High temperature (20° - 30°C) with frequent fires.
Where is tropical savannah commonly found?
- Southern Africa
- Venezuela
- Brazil
- India
- Australia
What adaptations do grasses in tropical savannah have?
- Long roots to tap groundwater
- Wither during dry season
- Tall height of 2-5 meters
What adaptations do trees in tropical savannah have?
- Small thick leaves
- Trunks to store water
- Thick barks to protect against fire
What is the temperature range of temperate grasslands?
-20° - 10°C.
What characterizes the climate of temperate grasslands?
Very dry climate and strong winds.
What is the maximum height of grass in temperate grasslands?
3 meters.
What types of flowers bloom in temperate grasslands?
- Coneflowers
- Poppies
- Buttercups
- Daisies
What does the term ‘desert’ derive from?
The Latin word ‘desertum’ meaning ‘an abandoned place’.
What type of climate do hot deserts experience?
Very hot and dry climate.
What is the temperature range in hot deserts?
Up to 48°C.
Describe the vegetation in hot desert environments.
Sparse with plants growing apart from each other.
What adaptations do plants in hot deserts have?
- Flashy stems
- Long swollen roots
- Small or no leaves
- Thick wax layer on leaves or stems
What does ‘tundra’ mean?
‘Treeless land’ in Finnish.
What type of climate do cold tundras experience?
Very cold climate and very low sunlight.
What is a characteristic of the ground in cold tundras?
Permanently frozen.
What types of vegetation are found in cold tundras?
- Lichens
- Mosses
- Tough grasses
- Scrubs
How do plants in cold tundra adapt to their environment?
- Small and compact
- Short roots
- Small leaves
- Short life cycles
