Terrestrial Environments January 18th, 2024 Flashcards
Ecosystem:
An ecosystem encompasses all organisms that occur and interact with each other and with the abiotic (non-living) environment at a specific place and time. It includes the interactions between organisms and how matter cycles through the ecosystem. An ecosystem can vary in size, from a small pond to a large forest or a desert
Biome:
A biome is a major regional complex of similar plant communities. These are large ecological units defined by their dominant plant type and vegetation structure. Biomes are often classified by their climate and location, such as tropical rainforests, deserts, and tundras. Each biome supports a specific set of flora and fauna adapted to its particular environment
Ecoregion:
An ecoregion is a large area of land or water containing a geographically distinct assemblage of natural communities that share a large proportion of their species and ecological dynamics. An ecoregion represents a specific region within a biome, characterized by its unique environmental conditions, species, and ecological processes
Keystone Species:
A keystone species is one that has a disproportionately large impact on its ecosystem relative to its abundance. The presence or absence of a keystone species can significantly alter the structure of an ecosystem. For example, the removal of a keystone species can lead to dramatic changes in ecological relationships and the dominance of certain species. Keystone species are critical for maintaining the structure and stability of the ecosystems they inhabit
Describe the movement of energy and matter through ecosystems.
The movement of energy and matter through ecosystems is a fundamental concept in ecology:
Energy Flow: Energy in ecosystems flows in a one-way stream, from primary producers (like plants) to various levels of consumers (like herbivores and carnivores) and eventually to decomposers. This flow of energy is typically depicted in food chains and food webs. Sunlight is the primary source of energy for most ecosystems, with plants converting solar energy into chemical energy through photosynthesis. This energy is then transferred to other organisms through feeding relationships.
Matter Cycling: Unlike energy, matter is recycled within ecosystems. Elements like carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus move through various components of the ecosystem in biogeochemical cycles. These cycles involve biological processes (like photosynthesis, respiration, and decomposition), geological processes (like volcanic activity and the formation of sedimentary rock), and chemical processes (like oxidation and reduction).
Read and interpret a climatograph or climate diagram.
Reading and interpreting a climatograph or climate diagram involves understanding the graphical representation of the climate data of a particular region. A climatograph typically shows:
Temperature: Usually depicted with a line graph, indicating the average monthly temperatures over a year.
Precipitation: Often shown with a bar graph, indicating the average monthly precipitation over the same period.
To interpret a climatograph, one should note the patterns of temperature and precipitation throughout the year. This helps in understanding the climate’s seasonality (such as dry and wet seasons) and overall climate type (like tropical, arid, temperate). Climatographs are useful in studying climate-related aspects of biomes and predicting the types of ecosystems and species that can thrive in those climates
Identify the vegetation likely found in a region based on its climatograph.
Identifying the vegetation in a region based on its climatograph involves understanding how climate, specifically temperature and precipitation, influences the types of biomes and their associated vegetation. Here are some examples:
Temperate Deciduous Forest: Characterized by moderate temperatures and consistent precipitation throughout the year. This biome typically has a variety of trees that shed their leaves in the fall (e.g., oak, maple, beech).
Tropical Dry Forest/Savannah: Found in regions with a tropical climate but less rainfall compared to tropical rainforests. The vegetation includes grasslands with scattered trees and shrubs adapted to a dry season.
Chaparral/Woodland: Located in areas with mild, wet winters and hot, dry summers. The vegetation primarily consists of shrubs, small trees, and grasses adapted to these conditions.
Tundra: Found in very cold climates with low precipitation, mostly in the form of snow. Vegetation is limited to low-growing plants like mosses, lichens, and small shrubs.
Boreal Forest: Located in subarctic climates, characterized by long, cold winters and short, mild summers. The dominant vegetation includes coniferous trees like pine, spruce, and fir.
Identify the major threats to each biome.
Major threats to each biome include:
Temperate Deciduous Forest: Deforestation, urbanization, and pollution.
Tropical Dry Forest/Savannah: Habitat conversion for agriculture, overgrazing, and climate change.
Chaparral/Woodland: Wildfires, urban expansion, and invasive species.
Tundra: Climate change (especially global warming), oil and gas exploration, and pollution.
Boreal Forest: Logging, mining activities, and climate change.
These threats often lead to habitat destruction, loss of biodiversity, and changes in the ecological dynamics of these biomes
Explain the connections between biomes, and why some of these connections are particularly important to the long-term health of the biome.
Biomes are interconnected both biotically (through living organisms) and abiotically (through physical or non-living environmental factors). These connections are vital for the long-term health of the biome for several reasons:
Biotic Interconnections: Species within biomes often rely on each other for survival. This includes predator-prey relationships, pollination, seed dispersal, and other ecological interactions. The absence or decline of one species can have a cascading effect on others, potentially altering the biome’s structure and function.
Abiotic Interconnections: Factors such as climate patterns, water cycles, and soil types influence the type of vegetation and animal life that a biome can support. Changes in these abiotic factors, such as climate change, can lead to shifts in biome boundaries, affecting the species and ecosystems within them.
The health of one biome can impact the health of another. For example, changes in a forest biome can affect the climate and hydrology of adjacent biomes. Also, migration of species between biomes can introduce genetic diversity, which is crucial for the resilience of ecosystems.
Explain why climate alone is insufficient to predict the plants or animals found in an area.
Regarding climate’s insufficiency to predict the plants or animals found in an area, it’s important to note that while climate is a major factor in determining biome characteristics, it’s not the only one. Other factors include:
Soil Type and Quality: Different soils provide various nutrients and support different types of vegetation.
Topography: The physical features of the landscape, like mountains and valleys, can create microclimates and affect the distribution of species.
Presence of Water Bodies: Proximity to oceans, lakes, and rivers can influence local climate and provide habitats for certain species.
Human Activities: Urbanization, agriculture, and deforestation can dramatically alter local environments, irrespective of the natural climate.
Identify if humans are a keystone species, and justify your answer.
Regarding humans as a keystone species, they can be considered as such due to their significant and widespread impact on the environment. Humans influence ecosystems in numerous ways, including altering habitats, changing climate patterns, and driving species to extinction. The extent and magnitude of human impact are disproportionate to their population size, a characteristic feature of keystone species. However, the term “keystone species” is typically used to describe a species within a specific ecosystem whose removal would drastically alter the ecosystem’s structure and function, a context where humans might not always fit the traditional definition
