Slide Set 5 Flashcards
the Koppen Geiger system includes what 3 categories?
climate, precipitation, temperature
what are the 5 climate types?
- tropical rainy (equatorial)
- dry (arid)
- warm temperate
- cold forested (snow)
- polar
there are ___ precipitation types and ____ temperature types
6, 8
climate diagrams summarize what?
monthly mean and annual records of temperature and precipitation
climate diagrams are used to characterize what?
the climate for a typical locality within a region fo interest
define biome?
a large scale terrestrial ecosystem, found in different parts of the world and characterized by similar life forms of plants and animals, and associated with similar climate and soil conditions
simple maps show or 10 distinct biomes which are?
- tundra
- boreal forest
- temperate (deciduous forest)
- temperate grasslands (prairies)
- mediterranean woodland and shrubland
- desert and semi deserts
- tropical savanah
- tropical dry forest
- tropical rain forest
- mountains
describe the tundra
- long cold winters
- permafrost
- poor drainage
- soils are nutrient poor
- moist
- migratory birds and mammals, and insects
- short growing season (6-10 weeks)
how is the tundra influenced by people?
airborne pollutants, oil and mineral exploration, global warming, permafrost thawing
describe the taiga (boreal forest)
- cold winters, short but moist
- mostly spruce and fir in north
- acid soils, low fertility
- slow rates of growth and decomposition
describe taiga
- long winters, short growing season
- generally, low mean annual temperature
- temperature ranges can be extreme
- generally moderate annual rates of precipitation
- thin acidic soils, low fertility
temperate forests include what types?
- seasonal decidous forests of eurasia
- temperate coniferous rainforest of pacific N america
- forests of new zealand, southern chile
describe seasonal deciduous forests
- herbs
- shrubs and saplings
- shade tolerant understory
- canopy
- seasonality in temperature
- long growing seasons
describe temperate forests
- precipitation supports trees
- moist growing season, also more moisture in winter than grasslands
- cold but snowy winters, deciduous forest
- soils are generally fertile
describe temperate rain forests
- mild winters
- heavy winter rain, summer fog and moderate summer drought
- needle leaves, high biomass, low diversity, fossil evidence goes back to mid mesozoic times
describe temperate seasonal forests
- strong seasonality
- moderately cold winters
- seasonality governs animal life
describe temperate grasslands
- trees and shrubs
- role of fire and grazing
- vertebrate herbivores
- invertebrate herbivores
- cool and dry winters
- most precipitation in growing season
- deep soils, organic matter
- slow decomposition
describe the mediteranian biome
- woodlands and shrublands
- scattered evergreen woody shrubs, grasses , aromatic
- summer drought
- winter rains
- warm annual mean temperatures
- modest precipitation
- water conservation strategies
- defences against fire and browsing
- soils fragile, moderate fertility
describe chaparrel
- hot in summer
- summers are dry, winter is rainy
- woodland shrubland, grasses
what does the desert include?
- subtropical deserts, 30N or S
- continental deserts
- rainshadow deserts
- coastal deserts
deserts take up approx ______% of surface on earth
20 %
describe the desert
- low precipitation
- water loss exceeds precipitation
- soils often poor, little organic matter
- high salt concentration in soil
