Biomes of North America Flashcards

Biomes of North America

• The tundra is recognized as the coldest biome in North America.
• The desert is the hottest biome, characterized by extremely high temperatures and low precipitation.
• Tropical rainforests receive the most rainfall among the biomes.

Rainfall and Temperature Relationships

• Coniferous forests experience low temperatures and minimal rainfall.
• Tropical rainforests have the highest temperatures and rainfall.
• Generally, higher rainfall correlates with higher temperatures, while lower rainfall correlates with lower temperatures.

Temperature Similarities Among Biomes

• Grasslands and deciduous forests maintain similar average temperatures.

Types of Forests

• Three distinct forest types in North America include:
  • Coniferous Forest (Taiga)
  • Temperate Deciduous Forest
  • Tropical Rainforest

Biodiversity and Equatorial Proximity

• Proximity to the equator significantly increases species diversity within a biome.

Major North American Biomes

• North America consists of six primary biomes:
  • Tundra
  • Desert
  • Deciduous Forest
  • Coniferous Forest
  • Grasslands
  • Tropical Rainforest

Latitude and Biodiversity

• Biodiversity is affected by latitude:
  • Higher latitudes tend to be colder.
  • Lower latitudes are typically warmer, with regions closer to the equator receiving abundant sunlight.

Ecological Succession Definitions

• Primary Succession: Occurs on new substrates without soil, such as volcanic ash or glacial deposits; pioneer plants create new soil.
• Secondary Succession: Involves changes in an existing ecosystem following a disturbance, preserving some soil.
• Pioneer Community: The initial collection of organisms, including plants, animals, and decomposers, establishing in an area undergoing primary succession.
• Seral Stage: Any community that occurs between the pioneer and the climax communities.
• Climax Community: The stable end point of ecological succession, representing a mature ecosystem.

Human Impact on Succession

• Deflected Succession: Occurs when human actions alter the natural progression of ecological succession, preventing the development of a climatic climax community.
• Plagioclimax: A human-influenced community that disrupts the natural climax community from being formed.

Explore the diverse biomes of North America with these flashcards. Learn about the characteristics, climate, and key features of various biomes like tundra, desert, and tropical rainforest. This quiz will deepen your understanding of how these ecosystems function.