10 Biomes and Global Ecology Free Online FlashCards

What defines a biome?

A biome is a broad region characterized by its climate and typical plant and animal communities adapted to it.

What is an ecosystem?

An ecosystem is a particular community of organisms interacting with one another and with their physical surroundings.

How can biomes and ecosystems differ in scale?

Many distinct ecosystems can occur within one biome because local conditions and communities vary.

What two patterns define climate?

Climate is the long-term pattern of temperature and precipitation.

What does primary productivity measure?

Primary productivity is the rate at which producers, such as plants and algae, build biomass.

What conditions and food-web pattern characterize a savanna?

Savannas have seasonal rainfall and a prolonged dry season. Grasses and scattered trees support grazing animals and their predators.

What climate and disturbance pattern characterize chaparral?

Chaparral has mild, wet winters and hot, dry summers. Drought-tolerant shrubs are common, and fires are an important disturbance.

What vegetation typically dominates temperate grasslands?

Temperate grasslands have seasonal temperatures and moderate rainfall. Grasses dominate, and trees are uncommon away from rivers.

What conditions and trees characterize boreal forests?

Boreal forests have long, cold winters and short summers; coniferous trees are common.

How can permafrost affect plants in Arctic tundra?

Arctic tundra has very cold conditions, low precipitation, and a short growing season. Low-growing plants are common, and permafrost may limit roots.

What makes an estuary a distinctive aquatic habitat?

An estuary is a marine environment where freshwater mixes with seawater. Its shallow, productive waters have changing salinity.

About how deep does enough ocean light for photosynthesis reach?

In many ocean areas, enough light for photosynthesis reaches roughly the upper 200 meters; below that, photosynthesis is generally not possible.