Topic 4 -The Terrestrial Environment Flashcards
High variability in microclimates in comparison to
aquaticenvironments
land varies especially in
temperature and moisture
Organisms on land must deal with significant
losses of water due to evaporation
living cells contain 95% _______ and must stay hydrated
water
Air has a low density/viscosity relative to water; animals and plants subjected to
large gravitational forces
what reinforces plants?
cellulose and ligin
what reinforces animals?
skeleton
what is the foundation of which all terrestrial life depends?
soil
soil is
a natural product formed by the weathering of rocks and the actions of living organisms
soil is composed of
mineral and organic matter capable of supporting plant growth
Grasslands tend to have
deep soils with a low decomposition rate and large amounts of organic materials being added from roots underground
Forests tend to have
thin soils with a high decomposition rate and organic material on the surface
soils on slopes tend to be________ while those in alluvial plains tend to be _______
shallow, deep
initially, soil development occurs within the….
parent material
over time the soil changes from the surface down through the accumulation of ______and _______ of water downward moves material with it
organic material, percolation
when soil changes it results in layers which are different
physically, chemically, and biologically
layers are termed_____ and collectively are the_____
horizons, soil profile
O Horizon
is the organic layer made of debris in various stages of decomposition
A Horizon
is often called topsoil and is composed of both mineral and organic materials
B Horizon
is often called subsoil and contains less organic and more mineral components relative to A
C Horizon
is a layer of unconsolidated material and is in general made up of the same material from which the soil developed
What causes variation in the moisture- holding capacity of the soil?
Climate Type of parent material Topography Aspect presence/absence and type of vegetation
texture is used to differentiate soil particle sizes and is partially inherited from the type of ________and _________
parent material, weathering process
Gravel
greater than 2mm
Sand
between 0.05mm-2mm
silt
0.002-0.05mm
clay
less than 0.002mm
soil texture is a ______ of its sand, silt, and clay components. Typically divided up into texture classes
percent
soil texture determines
soil fertility and the size of soil pore spaces
large pores cause ______water infiltration, percolation and drainage but have _____ holding capacity
rapid, low
small pores cause ____ water infiltration, percolation and drainage but has a _____ holding capacity
slow, high
a _______ is less likely to hold moisture than _____ground
sloped, flat
Aspect: windward facing slopes receive _____ precipitation
more
how does vegetation alter microclimates
light via shading temperature via shading moisture via use wind movement structure -habitat for animals
