Abiotic Factors
As altitude increases, temperature _______________.
decreases
The process of fertile land dessicating (drying out) permanently is called _____________________.
Desertification
Grasslands in general receive _______________ levels of precipitation compared to deserts and forests.
moderate
Which type of forest would you expect to see seasonal leaf abscission (dropping)?
Deciduous Forest
This type of succession occurs when soil does not need to be produced, it already exists after a natural occurence.
Secondary
As latitude decreases, temperature _______________.
increases
Areas with very little precipitation and consistently cold temperatures are called _______________ deserts.
Polar
Temperate grasslands in the US are also known as __________________.
Prairies
This layer of forest has the highest level of primary productivity and biodiversity.
Canopy
An underwater volcano erupts, creating a new island consisting of nothing but bare volcanic rock. What type of succession will take place?
Primary
A climatograph shows that an area has heavy rainfall and moderate temperatures. Which biome is this? Be specific? (2 words!)
Temperate Rainforest
Identify an adaptation of plants in the desert that helps them survive with little water.
- Succulent stems (water storage)
- Spikes for defense
- Deep root systems
Grasslands often have rich, ______________ soil, and because of this they have been destroyed mainly for ______________.
fertile...agriculture (farming)
This type of forest is typically found near 0 degrees of latitude. (Be specific - 2 word answer!)
Tropical Rainforest
This is the first type of species to colonize a recovering ecosystem.
Pioneer species
Why do coastal areas have smaller temperature ranges than inland areas?
High specific heat of water
Name 1 animal adaptation that allows for survival in a desert environment.
- Fat storage (i.e. camels)
- Ectothermic (regulate temperature using environment, not metabolism)
Grasslands usually form in the ____________ of continents where rainfall patterns makes these areas too dry to support trees.
interior
This is the highest level of the 4 forest layers.
What two factors determine the biodiversity found on an island?
Size of the island and distance from the mainland
A climatograph shows that an area has seasonal preciptiation, and consistently high temperatures. Which biome does this represent? Be specific? (2 words!)
Grassland (savannah)
A _______________ desert is found on the _______________ side of a mountain range.
Rainshadow...leeward
This is the rarest type of biome, a grassland consisting of hot, dry conditions in the summer which can lead to wildfires.
Chaparral
This type of forest receives the lowest amount of rainfall, and thus has less biodiversity.
Boreal Forest (Taiga)
This type of community takes decades to centuries to develop depending on the type of succession, and includes tall, mature trees and a broad range of plants and animals. When this is reached, an ecosystem can be considered fully recovered/developed.
Climax community