Succession & Biomes
Why does secondary succession usually occur more rapidly than primary succession?
Soil formation has already occurred.
Why do few animal species live in a fast-flowing river?
Currents prevent accumulation of most organic matter.
Why is Anchorage, Alaska colder than Kingston, Jamaica?
Anchorage is in a polar zone with low sun angle; Kingston is in the tropics with direct sun.
Much of the world’s temperate grasslands have been destroyed by humans. Why?
Fertile soil ideal for crops, few trees to clear.
All the populations living in a pond are called a __.
Biological community.
Why do conifer trees dominate boreal forests rather than tundra?
Lack of permanently frozen soil.
Which aquatic ecosystem has the greatest biodiversity?
Estuary.
What climatic effect might occur if the Gulf Stream stopped?
Northern latitudes would become colder, with glaciers forming and cooler plant successions.
What is one effect of clearing temperate grasslands?
Loss of biodiversity due to agriculture.
Plant life in temperate forests is dominated by __.
Deciduous trees.
What defines a biome as a desert?
Rate of evaporation is higher than precipitation.
The zone that supports the greatest variety of coral reef ecosystems is the __.
Photic zone.
Many mountains have tree lines. Why?
Harsh conditions (cold, rocky soil, strong winds) prevent tree growth.
Give one human activity that changes ecosystems.
Agriculture, urbanization, or pollution.
Which biome has coniferous forests and cold climates but no permafrost?
Boreal forest.
Trees cannot take root in tundra biomes because of the existence of animals. True or False?
False.
Which lake zone has the greatest biodiversity of aquatic plants and animals?
Littoral zone.
What might trees near the tree line look like?
Much smaller than normal specimens.
Predict what might happen if humans cleared part of a tropical rainforest.
Loss of biodiversity and habitat destruction.
Which biome has permanently frozen soil?
Tundra.
The terrestrial biome with the greatest biodiversity is the __.
Tropical rainforest.
Which lake zone has the lowest biodiversity, and why?
Profundal zone, due to low light and cold temperatures.
Which factor explains the difference in climates at different latitudes?
Angle of sunlight striking Earth.
Which biome is most at risk from agriculture due to fertile soil?
Temperate grassland.
Which biome is most dependent on precipitation levels rather than temperature?
Desert.