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Questions and Answers
What primarily distinguishes terrestrial biomes from one another?
What primarily distinguishes terrestrial biomes from one another?
What are the two key factors that can predict biome type in a region?
What are the two key factors that can predict biome type in a region?
How many terrestrial and freshwater biomes are often recognized?
How many terrestrial and freshwater biomes are often recognized?
What is the most significant abiotic factor affecting terrestrial biomes?
What is the most significant abiotic factor affecting terrestrial biomes?
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Which factors are NOT considered when analyzing biomes according to temperature and precipitation?
Which factors are NOT considered when analyzing biomes according to temperature and precipitation?
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What effect does incoming solar radiation have on climate when it is at a low angle?
What effect does incoming solar radiation have on climate when it is at a low angle?
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How does solar radiation at the Equator influence temperature?
How does solar radiation at the Equator influence temperature?
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What is the primary definition of precipitation?
What is the primary definition of precipitation?
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Where is precipitation typically highest on Earth?
Where is precipitation typically highest on Earth?
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Which of the following describes how biomes can be disrupted?
Which of the following describes how biomes can be disrupted?
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What characterizes the dry season in tropical seasonal forests?
What characterizes the dry season in tropical seasonal forests?
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Which of the following tree types is commonly found in tropical seasonal forests?
Which of the following tree types is commonly found in tropical seasonal forests?
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How do the soils of tropical seasonal forests compare to those of tropical rainforests?
How do the soils of tropical seasonal forests compare to those of tropical rainforests?
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What is a defining feature of deciduous trees?
What is a defining feature of deciduous trees?
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Which season in tropical seasonal forests is characterized by vivid green foliage?
Which season in tropical seasonal forests is characterized by vivid green foliage?
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Which biome is typically found near the equator?
Which biome is typically found near the equator?
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What characterizes the vertical zonation of vegetation on mountains?
What characterizes the vertical zonation of vegetation on mountains?
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Which latitude is associated with deserts?
Which latitude is associated with deserts?
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What does the X-axis represent in climate graphs?
What does the X-axis represent in climate graphs?
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Which biome is named for its latitudinal location?
Which biome is named for its latitudinal location?
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What is the primary factor that differentiates biomes from climate zones?
What is the primary factor that differentiates biomes from climate zones?
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What typically occurs as elevation increases in mountainous regions?
What typically occurs as elevation increases in mountainous regions?
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How can climate graphs vary across geographic locations?
How can climate graphs vary across geographic locations?
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What is the definition of a biome?
What is the definition of a biome?
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Which level of organization describes a group of individuals from the same species?
Which level of organization describes a group of individuals from the same species?
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What are the major types of terrestrial biomes mentioned?
What are the major types of terrestrial biomes mentioned?
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What characteristic distinguishes biomes from one another?
What characteristic distinguishes biomes from one another?
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Which of the following best describes an ecosystem?
Which of the following best describes an ecosystem?
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In which biome would you most likely find a significant seasonal variation in climate?
In which biome would you most likely find a significant seasonal variation in climate?
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What is the primary focus of ecological studies on biomes?
What is the primary focus of ecological studies on biomes?
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Which combination of levels of organization defines an ecosystem?
Which combination of levels of organization defines an ecosystem?
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Study Notes
Levels of Organization of Ecological Systems
- Individual: A single organism (plant, animal, or single-celled life form).
- Population: A group of individuals of the same species living in a specific area.
- Community: Different populations of different species interacting in a given area.
- Ecosystem: A system of interacting communities and its non-living environment.
- Biome: Large geographical areas with similar climates and communities.
- Biosphere: All parts of Earth where organisms can live, including land, ocean, and atmosphere.
The Biome Concept
- Communities: Interacting populations of different species living in the same place.
- Biomes: Series of communities or ecosystems over a large geographic area.
- Common Characteristics: Plants and animals in a biome have adaptations suited to the environment.
- Biomes are not limited to specific continents: They are influenced by shared abiotic factors.
- Terrestrial Biomes: Occur on land.
- Aquatic Biomes: Occur in freshwater and marine habitats.
World’s Climate Zones
- Equator: 0° latitude.
- Tropic of Cancer: 23°26’ N.
- Tropic of Capricorn: 23°26’ S.
- Tropics: Area between the Tropic of Cancer and the Tropic of Capricorn.
- Temperate: Zones between the tropics and the polar regions.
- Polar: Regions around the North and South Poles.
Differential Heating of Earth’s Surface by the Sun
- Curvature of the Earth: The amount of solar radiation reaching an area varies with latitude.
- Low angle of incoming radiation: More diffuse heating, resulting in cooler climates.
- Direct solar radiation at the equator: More concentrated heating, resulting in warmer climates.
Global Distribution of Precipitation
- Precipitation: Any liquid or frozen water falling from the atmosphere to Earth.
- Highest precipitation: Around the equator.
Biomes Vary with Temperature and Precipitation
- Biomes change based on: Average precipitation and temperature.
- Wet and hot: Biomes located in areas with high precipitation and high temperatures.
- Dry and hot: Biomes located in areas with low precipitation and high temperatures.
- Wet and cold: Biomes located in areas with high precipitation and low temperatures.
- Dry and cold: Biomes located in areas with low precipitation and low temperatures.
Biomes Vary with Latitude
- Latitude: Distance north or south of the equator.
- Boreal forests: Found in Canada, Europe, and Siberia.
- Tropical forests: Found near the equator.
- Deserts: Found around 30°N and 30°S latitude.
- Tropical Rainforests: Occur between the Tropic of Cancer and Tropic of Capricorn.
- Arctic Tundra: Found near or above the Arctic Circle (66.6°N).
- Other factors besides temperature: Biomes are not exactly the same as climate zones.
Vertical Zonation by Elevation
- Elevation: Height above sea level.
- Mountains: Cooler and wetter than lower elevations.
- Vertical Zonation: Different vegetation types occur at different elevations.
How to Interpret Climate Graphs
- X-axis: Months of the year.
- Left Y-axis: Temperature (°C).
- Right Y-axis: Precipitation (mm).
- Dry Months: Shaded yellow.
- Wet Months: Mid-blue.
- Average annual temperature and total precipitation: Shown at the top of the graph.
Tropical Seasonal Forests
- Distinct wet and dry seasons: Though temperatures remain warm-hot year-round.
- Often called dry tropical forests: Dry for much of the year.
- Dry season: Brown and dormant vegetation.
- Rainy season: Vivid green vegetation.
- Drought-tolerant deciduous trees: Drop leaves during the dry season to conserve water.
- Soils: Have higher levels of nutrients than tropical rainforests.
Deciduous Versus Evergreen Trees
- Deciduous: Trees that drop all their leaves seasonally to conserve water.
- Evergreen: Trees that remain green year-round, shedding only a few leaves at a time.
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