Terrestrial & Aquatic Biome Review

Question 1

The distribution of terrestrial biomes is largely determined by

Answer 1

Climate

Question 2

The Tropical Forest Biome (precipitation, temperature, vegetation, primary productivity, biodiversity)

Answer 2

High precipitation (rains constant for tropical rainforests, seasonal for tropical dry forests)
Hot temperatures (little variation)
Vegetation vertically layered with intense competition for light, high primary productivity
High biodiversity (highest biodiversity! 70% animals and plant species in 5% of land)

Question 3

The Temperate Broadleaf Forest BIome (precipitation, temperature, vegetation, biodiversity)

Answer 3

Significant amount of precipitation during all seasons
Temperature is seasonal, winters are cold, summers are hot
Vegetative layering includes trees, shrubs, and herbs
Moderate primary productivity
Moderate biodiversity

Question 4

The Coniferous Forest (Taiga) Biome

Answer 4

Precipitation variable, can have droughts, or can be wet near coast
Seasonal temperature, cold winters hot summers
Dominated by conifers, low primary productivity
Low biodiversity
SOME SPECIES DEPEND ON DISTURBANCE (PERIODIC FIRES)

Question 5

The Chapparal Biome

Answer 5

Precipitation low and seasonal rainy winters dry summers
Summers hot winters cold
Dominated by shrubs, small trees, grass, herbs, low primary productivity
Low variable biodiversity - endemic plants
DISTURBANCE - plants adapted to fire and drought

Question 6

Savanna Biome

Answer 6

Precipitation is seasonal, prolonged dry season
Temperatures are warm but more variable than tropical forests, moderate biodiversity, spread of trees constrained by periodic fires

Question 7

Temperate Grassland Biome

Answer 7

Precipitation is low ad seasonal, occurs in the summer
Winters cold summers hot
Dominant plants are herbaceous
Moderate primary productivity, moderate biodiversity, dominant plants adapted to drought and fires (disturbance)

Question 8

Desert Biome

Answer 8

Low precipitation
Hot or cold, temperatures are extreme and vary day to night
Low primary productivity, low nutrient availability
Low variable biodiversity

Question 9

Tundra Biome

Answer 9

Low precipitation in arctic tundra, higher in alpine tundra
Winters cold Summers cool
Permafrost is a frozen layer of soil preventing water infiltration
Vegetation is herbaceous
Low primary productivity
Low biodiversity

Question 10

Aquatic Biomes Depth Shallow —> Deep

Answer 10

Shallow: Wetlands, Intertidal zones, streams and rivers

Middle: Lakes, Estuaries, Coral Reefs

Deep: Oceanic / Pelagic and Benthic (Ocean Floor)

Question 11

Aquatic Biomes Salinity Saline –> Fresh

Answer 11

Most Saline: Coral Reefs, Oceanic, Pelagic/Benthic

Medium: Estuaries, Wetlands, Intertidal

Fresh: Lakes, Rivers, Streams