Chapter 2: Ecosystem Types and Biomes Quiz

11 Questions

Which ecosystem is characterized by fast-moving waters such as streams and rivers?

Riverine Ecosystem

What type of biome is known for being the driest on Earth?

Desert

Which ecosystem is defined by inland wetlands where the soil is saturated for a long period of time?

Palustrine Ecosystem

Where are tropical grasslands, also known as savannas, primarily found?

Warm climates of Africa, Australia, India, and South America

Which terrestrial biome is characterized by a lack of trees and large shrubs but dominated by grasses?

Grassland

In which aquatic biome does the photic zone receive ample sunlight and have a large proportion of oceanic biomass contributed by plankton?

Marine Biomes

What is a key characteristic of a Forest Ecosystem?

Abundance of vegetation in relatively small space

Which ecosystem is characterized by annual rainfall less than 25 cm and very little water?

Desert Ecosystem

In which ecosystem can you find Imeprata grasslands and brushlands?

Grassland Ecosystem

What is a defining feature of a Freshwater Ecosystem?

Classification based on hydrodynamics and geography

Which ecosystem has altitude ranging from sea level to 3000 meters above sea level and specific types of soil minerals?

Mountain Ecosystem

Study Notes

Ecosystem Types

Natural Ecosystem: includes terrestrial, freshwater, estuarine, marine, and special ecosystems
Man-made Ecosystem: includes agricultural and urban ecosystems

Terrestrial Ecosystem

ALTITUDE: ranges from sea level to 3000 meters above sea level
DOMINANT SPECIES: presence of forest species and endemic/native plants
SOIL: varies in nutrients and moisture, with different minerals and soil chemistry
SUBTYPES:
- Forest Ecosystem: high vegetation density, 80-400 cm annual rainfall
- Desert Ecosystem: low rainfall (<25 cm), extreme temperature, intense sunlight
- Mountain Ecosystem/Cloud Forest: high altitude, abundant vegetation
- Grassland Ecosystem: once tropical moist forest, now plantation forest, fine-pron, Imperata grassland, and brushlands

Freshwater Ecosystem

CLASSIFIED BASED ON: hydrodynamics and geography
SUBTYPES:
- Riverine Ecosystem (lotic): fast-moving waters, streams, and rivers
- Lacustrine Ecosystem (lentic): still waters, lakes, and ponds
- Palustrine Ecosystem: inland wetlands with saturated soil for long periods

Estuarine Ecosystem

LOCATION: along shorelines, extending seaward, often near river mouths
CLASSIFIED BASED ON: dominant species

Marine Ecosystem

CLASSIFIED BASED ON: dominant species, physical features, and geography
SUBTYPES:
- Coastal Marine Wetlands: shallow, warm waters flowing from land to continental shelf edge

Special Ecosystem

HOLLOW SPACES: cavities beneath the earth's surface with one or more openings
CLASSIFIED BASED ON: mineral deposits and geological formations

Agricultural Ecosystem

CHARACTERISTICS: croplands with human inputs (fertilizers, irrigation, heating systems, etc.)

Urban Ecosystem

CHARACTERISTICS: fuel-power ecosystem with trees, plant life, vehicular and industrial activities, and agricultural activities

Biomes

DEFINITION: Earth's major communities, broad vegetative subdivisions of biogeographic realms
CHARACTERISTICS: given natural environmental setting

Terrestrial Biomes

TUNDRA:
- LOCATION: near North Pole
- CHARACTERISTICS: low species diversity, permafrost, lack of complex flora and fauna
TAIGA:
- CHARACTERISTICS: largest terrestrial biome, northern coniferous forest, cold winters, mild summers, poor soil nutrients
DESERT:
- CHARACTERISTICS: driest biome, <25 cm annual precipitation, limited vegetation, drought-resistant shrubs and trees
GRASSLAND:
- CHARACTERISTICS: dominated by grasses, occasional trees and shrubs
- SUBTYPES:
  - Tropical Grasslands (Savannas): warm climates, 25-75 cm annual precipitation
  - Temperate Grasslands (Prairies, Steppes): no trees and large shrubs