Biology > lesson 6 Biomes > Flashcards

lesson 6 Biomes Flashcards

(47 cards)

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1
Q

What is ecology?

A

Ecology is the scientific study of the interactions between organisms and the environment that determine the distribution and abundance of organisms.

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2
Q

What are the four major abiotic components of climate?

A
  • Temperature
  • Precipitation
  • Sunlight
  • Wind
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3
Q

What primarily drives variation in climate?

A

Solar radiation ultimately drives variation in climate.

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4
Q

Define climate.

A

The long-term prevailing weather conditions in an area.

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5
Q

How does latitude affect climate?

A

The angle at which sunlight hits Earth affects its intensity; more photons per unit area at the equator.

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6
Q

What are the three major climate zones based on latitude?

A
  • High: Polar climates
  • Middle: Temperate climates
  • Low: Tropical climates
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7
Q

What is the impact of atmospheric circulation on climate?

A

It drives evaporation and circulation of air and water, affecting temperature and precipitation patterns.

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8
Q

How do ocean currents affect climate?

A

They moderate the climate of nearby terrestrial environments.

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9
Q

What is continentality?

A

The effect of a location on a continent on the climate of a place.

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10
Q

What is the principle of rain shadow effect?

A

Rising air releases moisture on the windward side of a peak and creates a ‘rain shadow’ as it absorbs moisture on the leeward side.

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11
Q

Fill in the blank: Biomes are major life zones characterized by _______.

A

[vegetation type (terrestrial biomes) or physical environment (aquatic biomes)]

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12
Q

What are the two most important drivers of terrestrial biomes?

A
  • Rainfall
  • Temperature
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13
Q

Describe the temperature and precipitation patterns in temperate deciduous forests.

A

Average 70-100 cm of rainfall a year, with temperatures ranging from 0°C in winter to up to 35°C in summer.

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14
Q

What characterizes the boreal forest biome?

A

It is the largest terrestrial biome, dominated by coniferous trees, with cold winters and moderate precipitation.

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15
Q

What type of plants dominate the tundra biome?

A

Dominant plants are mostly herbaceous: mosses, grasses, forbs, and very small shrubs.

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16
Q

What is the average temperature in tropical rainforests?

A

25-29°C year-round.

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17
Q

What is a climograph?

A

A time-based graph that presents a location’s average temperature and precipitation.

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18
Q

What is the impact of elevation on climate?

A

The higher you go, the colder it gets; every 1,000m increase in elevation produces a temperature drop of approximately 6°C.

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19
Q

What are the primary biotic factors affecting species distributions?

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A
  • Predation
  • Herbivory
  • Competition
  • Mutualism
  • Parasitism
20
Q

What is the primary abiotic factor limiting the northern range of the wood turtle?

21
Q

True or False: Sugar maple is predicted to migrate north faster than it currently is due to climate warming.

22
Q

What experimental approach was taken to study the limitations of sugar maple migration?

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A

A reciprocal transplant experiment of soil & seeds across elevations.

23
Q

What conclusion was drawn regarding seed survival of sugar maple?

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A

Seed predators, not temperatures, are slowing the uphill and northerly spread of maples.

24
Q

What is the primary conclusion regarding seed predation and temperature in the spread of maples?

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A

Seed predators, not temperatures, are slowing the uphill (and northerly) spread of maples.

This indicates that biotic factors may be more critical than abiotic factors in certain scenarios.

25
What was observed about seedling growth at different elevations?
Seedlings grew to similar heights at all elevations. ## Footnote This suggests that elevation alone does not affect seedling height.
26
How did seed survival compare in caged vs. uncaged pots at upslope locations?
Seed survival was about the same in caged pots, but few seeds in uncaged pots survived due to predation. ## Footnote This highlights the impact of seed predation by voles and mice on seed survival.
27
What are mycorrhizae and their role in plant growth?
Mycorrhizae are fungi that enable trees to capture far more nutrients than their roots alone. ## Footnote This allows trees to grow faster and establish better.
28
List the factors affecting climate.
* Sun * Air Circulation * Ocean Currents * Continentality * Mountains / Elevation ## Footnote These factors interact to shape regional climates.
29
What is a climograph?
A climograph is a graphical representation of climate data. ## Footnote It typically shows temperature and precipitation over time.
30
Describe the three biomes of Quebec.
* Temperate * Boreal * Tundra ## Footnote Each biome has distinct environmental conditions and species.
31
What factors affect species distribution?
Both abiotic and biotic factors affect species distribution. ## Footnote Examples include climate (abiotic) and interactions with other species (biotic).
32
Fill in the blank: _______ are factors that are non-living and affect ecosystems.
Abiotic ## Footnote Examples include temperature, water, and nutrients.
33
Fill in the blank: _______ are living factors that affect ecosystems.
Biotic ## Footnote Examples include competition, predation, and symbiosis.
34
What is seasonality caused by at high latitudes?
Tilt of earth axis and its annual passage
35
Sources for smaller scale variation (2)
Temporal variation- day/night/seasons Air mechanisms
36
Three air cells
Polar,Ferrell,Hadley
37
What causes big differences in seasons ?
Close to water =small Far=big
38
What happens to the air as elevation increases?
Thinner and traps less heat
39
What does elevation do to vegetation ?
Elevation affects climate which affects veg, less
40
Vegetation layers
Floor,understory,canopy
41
Deciduous forest
70-100cm rainfall yearly No dry winters Temp 0-35
42
Boreal
Coniferous Periodic droughts Precipitation varies -50-20 Dense canopy
43
Tundra
Arctic Low precipitation -30-10 Permafrost
44
Tropical rainforest
200-400 cm rainfall yearly 25-29 year round Mountain ranges cause diff(wet vs dry)
45
Aquatic
Marine or fresh Wetland,estuary,intertidal zones
46
What is dispersal
Movement of individuals or gametes away from high pop dens
47
Wood turtle dispersal barriers (3)
Salty water(pei) Dry prairie grassland (west) Abiotic,temp
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