Global
Define the terms weather & climate
Weather: short-term atmospheric conditions
Climate: weather of a specific region averaged over a long period of time
What are biomes? List the two types of biomes (land & water based)
Generalized/major types of ecosystems that broadly correspond to major climatic regions
Terrestrial - land based
Aquatic - water based
What defines a desert? What latitudes are they located at?
- Lack of precipitation
- Receive less than 25cm rain/year
- Around 30 degree latitudes
List some characteristics of Temperate broadleaf forests
- found at midlatitudes in the northern hemisphere
- higher precipitation than temperate grasslands & less seasonal
- temperature is seasonal
What effects global temperature?
The angles in which the sun rays are hitting the earths surface
Higher level of sunlight/area = warmer
(max solar radiation occurs at 90 degree)
How are terrestrial biomes defined?
1. Average annual temperature
2. Average annual precipitation
3. Annual variation in temperature and/or precipitation
4. Dominant vegetation
What is a Chaparral & where are they located?
Narrow sections of western coastal land between 30–40-degree latitudes
- adjacent to cold ocean currents
What kind of trees are found in Temperate broadleaf forests?
Broadleaf, deciduous trees
Define seasonality. What causes seasonality in temperature?
Regular annual fluctuations in temperature and/or precipitation
The tilt of earth’s axis causes differences in the angle of the sun
How are aquatic biomes defined?
1. Fresh vs. Salt
2. Water depth
3. Water movement (running vs. stagnant)
1.Seasonal precipitation
2. Susceptible to fire
- dry vegetation & soil
- flammable oils/resins in plants
List some characteristics of Northern coniferous forests
- extreme temperature variation (short growing seasons)
- low precipitation, low evaporation
- dominated by coniferous, neede-like, evergreen trees (shed leaves a few at a time)
What are convection cells? What is the relationship between warm/cold air & water? When does precipitation occur during these cycles?
Cycles of heating and cooling, rising and falling air
- warm air holds more water than cool air
Precipitation occurs when the air cools down
REMEMBER: air is sinking at 30 degree latitudes & poles (dry) & rising at 0 & 60 degree latitudes (wet)
List some characteristics of tropical rain forests. What plants are likely to be found here?
- generally near the equator
- warm climate & high precipitation
- little seasonality in temperature
- high species diversity & high productivity
*Broad-leaved evergreens
Define Temperate (temperate biomes). List 2 types of temperate biomes
Pronounced annual fluctuations in temperatures, but no temperature extremes
1. Temperate grasslands (prairies)
2.Temperate broadleaf forest
What are the two types of Tundras? List some characteristics of them
1. Arctic - high latitudes
2. Alpine - high elevations
What is a rain shadow?
A rain shadow occurs when moist or from the ocean hits a mountain side (air is pushed upwards)
—> air cools & releases water
Rain on the ocean side, dry on the other side (dry side = rain shadow)
List some characteristics of tropical Savannah’s. Why is there less trees there compared to tropical forests?
- warm temperatures year round
- have dry & rainy seasons
Perennial grasses dominate; they are better adapted to dry weather and frequent fires compared to trees.
- herbivory prevents tree growth & seasonal drought
List some characteristics of temperate grasslands. What is the dominate vegetation?
- seasonal precipitation
- seasonal temperatures
- grasses dominant due to seasonal precipitation, fire, & herbivory
What is permafrost (found in tundras)?
Below the top layer of soil, the ground is frozen year round
- shallow roots
- can't support large plants