Terrestrial Biomes & Primary Productivity
Identify the biome characterized by low temperatures and permafrost.
Tundra
What is the difference between food webs and food chains?
Food webs are complex; food chains are simple
What are the three levels of biodiversity?
Genetic, species, and ecosystem diversity.
What does range of tolerance mean?
Conditions a species can survive in.
What is carrying capacity?
The maximum population an environment can support.
Name a plant adaptation found in deserts.
Water storage in stems
What is the 10% rule in energy transfer?
Only 10% of energy moves to the next trophic level.
Name an ecosystem service provided by wetlands.
Flood control
What are environmental stressors?
Factors that can harm organisms
What are r-selected species?
Species that reproduce quickly.
What is the primary productivity measure that indicates energy available for consumers?
Net Primary Productivity (NPP)
What is a keystone species?
A species that has a large impact on its ecosystem.
How does biodiversity enhance ecosystem stability?
It increases resilience to changes.
What is the difference between periodic and random disruptions?
Periodic happens regularly vs random occurs unpredictably.
What is logistic growth?
Growth that levels off at carrying capacity
How does latitude affect biome distribution?
It influences temperature and precipitation.
What do trophic pyramids illustrate?
Energy, biomass, and numbers at each trophic level.
What is the impact of habitat destruction on biodiversity?
It reduces species numbers and variety.
Describe primary succession.
Growth in lifeless areas
How do atmospheric circulation cells affect climate?
They create wind patterns influencing precipitation.
Compare the productivity of tropical rainforests to deserts
Tropical rainforests have high productivity; deserts have low productivity.
Describe how energy flows through an ecosystem.
From producers to consumers and decomposers.
Why is biodiversity important for ecosystem services?
It supports health, productivity, and recovery of ecosystems.
How do human activities disrupt natural succession?
They alter habitats and slow recovery.
How does solar radiation influence seasons?
It causes temperature changes throughout the year.