Topic 4 -The Terrestrial Environment Flashcards

1
Q

High variability in microclimates in comparison to

A

aquaticenvironments

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2
Q

land varies especially in

A

temperature and moisture

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3
Q

Organisms on land must deal with significant

A

losses of water due to evaporation

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4
Q

living cells contain 95% _______ and must stay hydrated

A

water

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5
Q

Air has a low density/viscosity relative to water; animals and plants subjected to

A

large gravitational forces

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6
Q

what reinforces plants?

A

cellulose and ligin

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7
Q

what reinforces animals?

A

skeleton

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8
Q

what is the foundation of which all terrestrial life depends?

A

soil

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9
Q

soil is

A

a natural product formed by the weathering of rocks and the actions of living organisms

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10
Q

soil is composed of

A

mineral and organic matter capable of supporting plant growth

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11
Q

Grasslands tend to have

A

deep soils with a low decomposition rate and large amounts of organic materials being added from roots underground

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12
Q

Forests tend to have

A

thin soils with a high decomposition rate and organic material on the surface

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13
Q

soils on slopes tend to be________ while those in alluvial plains tend to be _______

A

shallow, deep

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14
Q

initially, soil development occurs within the….

A

parent material

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15
Q

over time the soil changes from the surface down through the accumulation of ______and _______ of water downward moves material with it

A

organic material, percolation

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16
Q

when soil changes it results in layers which are different

A

physically, chemically, and biologically

17
Q

layers are termed_____ and collectively are the_____

A

horizons, soil profile

18
Q

O Horizon

A

is the organic layer made of debris in various stages of decomposition

19
Q

A Horizon

A

is often called topsoil and is composed of both mineral and organic materials

20
Q

B Horizon

A

is often called subsoil and contains less organic and more mineral components relative to A

21
Q

C Horizon

A

is a layer of unconsolidated material and is in general made up of the same material from which the soil developed

22
Q

What causes variation in the moisture- holding capacity of the soil?

A
Climate
Type of parent material
Topography
Aspect 
presence/absence and type of vegetation
23
Q

texture is used to differentiate soil particle sizes and is partially inherited from the type of ________and _________

A

parent material, weathering process

24
Q

Gravel

A

greater than 2mm

25
Sand
between 0.05mm-2mm
26
silt
0.002-0.05mm
27
clay
less than 0.002mm
28
soil texture is a ______ of its sand, silt, and clay components. Typically divided up into texture classes
percent
29
soil texture determines
soil fertility and the size of soil pore spaces
30
large pores cause ______water infiltration, percolation and drainage but have _____ holding capacity
rapid, low
31
small pores cause ____ water infiltration, percolation and drainage but has a _____ holding capacity
slow, high
32
a _______ is less likely to hold moisture than _____ground
sloped, flat
33
Aspect: windward facing slopes receive _____ precipitation
more
34
how does vegetation alter microclimates
``` light via shading temperature via shading moisture via use wind movement structure -habitat for animals ```