Podcast
Questions and Answers
What occurs to moisture as air rises up a mountain?
What occurs to moisture as air rises up a mountain?
- It remains unchanged until it descends.
- It evaporates without changing.
- It condenses and turns into precipitation. (correct)
- It becomes warmer and more humid.
Which factors influence biome distribution?
Which factors influence biome distribution?
- Climate, elevation, and soil. (correct)
- Human activity and urbanization.
- Soil compaction and temperature.
- Precipitation patterns and animal migration.
What does CLORPT stand for in relation to soil formation?
What does CLORPT stand for in relation to soil formation?
- Climate, Organisms, Relief, Parent material, Time. (correct)
- Compaction, Organisms, Rainfall, Parent material, Time.
- Carbon, Oxygen, Lithosphere, Organisms, Temperature.
- Climate, Organismal structure, Relief, Parent material, Temperature.
Which horizon is considered the organic layer of soil?
Which horizon is considered the organic layer of soil?
What primarily composes soil apart from mineral particles?
What primarily composes soil apart from mineral particles?
How does the parent material influence soil composition?
How does the parent material influence soil composition?
Which layer of soil consists of clay, humus, and leached materials?
Which layer of soil consists of clay, humus, and leached materials?
What can cause soil to change over time?
What can cause soil to change over time?
How does the composition of soil influence nutrient availability?
How does the composition of soil influence nutrient availability?
What describes the filtration rate of sand compared to clay?
What describes the filtration rate of sand compared to clay?
Which factor primarily dictates the classification of terrestrial biomes?
Which factor primarily dictates the classification of terrestrial biomes?
What is a characteristic of tropical rainforests regarding soil composition?
What is a characteristic of tropical rainforests regarding soil composition?
Which of the following describes a tropical dry forest?
Which of the following describes a tropical dry forest?
How do nutrients affect plant growth in a given environment?
How do nutrients affect plant growth in a given environment?
What aspect of tropical rainforests is influenced by vertical stratification?
What aspect of tropical rainforests is influenced by vertical stratification?
In what way does pH influence plant growth?
In what way does pH influence plant growth?
What is the primary characteristic that distinguishes a swamp from other types of wetlands?
What is the primary characteristic that distinguishes a swamp from other types of wetlands?
Which of the following best describes a bog?
Which of the following best describes a bog?
What is the main ecological role of mangrove swamps?
What is the main ecological role of mangrove swamps?
Which type of wetland is characterized by non-woody vegetation and typically found on coastlines?
Which type of wetland is characterized by non-woody vegetation and typically found on coastlines?
Which factor does NOT significantly affect the intertidal zone?
Which factor does NOT significantly affect the intertidal zone?
Coral reefs are primarily found in which kind of environment?
Coral reefs are primarily found in which kind of environment?
An estuary is defined as a region where which two types of water meet?
An estuary is defined as a region where which two types of water meet?
What is a key feature of salt marshes?
What is a key feature of salt marshes?
Which zone of the ocean is known for higher productivity due to upwelling and sunlight?
Which zone of the ocean is known for higher productivity due to upwelling and sunlight?
Which process describes the movement of water through roots due to a concentration gradient?
Which process describes the movement of water through roots due to a concentration gradient?
What is the primary role of nitrogen in plants?
What is the primary role of nitrogen in plants?
Which photosynthetic pathway is considered the oldest and most efficient?
Which photosynthetic pathway is considered the oldest and most efficient?
Which term describes an organism that maintains a constant internal temperature?
Which term describes an organism that maintains a constant internal temperature?
What type of soil typically has the highest cation exchange capacity?
What type of soil typically has the highest cation exchange capacity?
Which factor greatly affects the field capacity and wilting point of soil?
Which factor greatly affects the field capacity and wilting point of soil?
Which method of heat transfer involves physical contact?
Which method of heat transfer involves physical contact?
Which organism type is defined as having variable body temperature based on environmental conditions?
Which organism type is defined as having variable body temperature based on environmental conditions?
Which process involves the uptake of water through plant leaves and stems?
Which process involves the uptake of water through plant leaves and stems?
What primarily contributes to the formation of deserts?
What primarily contributes to the formation of deserts?
Which factor significantly limits plant growth in the tundra biome?
Which factor significantly limits plant growth in the tundra biome?
What is a key reason for the high species diversity in temperate rain forests?
What is a key reason for the high species diversity in temperate rain forests?
What is a common characteristic of grasslands?
What is a common characteristic of grasslands?
Which of the following describes the riparian zone?
Which of the following describes the riparian zone?
How does seasonal turnover affect lakes?
How does seasonal turnover affect lakes?
What is the primary role of deep roots in grasses found in temperate grasslands?
What is the primary role of deep roots in grasses found in temperate grasslands?
What is a characteristic of boreal forests?
What is a characteristic of boreal forests?
What environmental factor strongly influences desert vegetation?
What environmental factor strongly influences desert vegetation?
In which biome do you find epiphytes like moss and lichen?
In which biome do you find epiphytes like moss and lichen?
What primarily limits regeneration in mature temperate deciduous forests?
What primarily limits regeneration in mature temperate deciduous forests?
What distinguishes lentic water bodies like ponds from lotic systems like rivers?
What distinguishes lentic water bodies like ponds from lotic systems like rivers?
What result does drought have on vegetation in desert biomes?
What result does drought have on vegetation in desert biomes?
Which type of vegetation dominates the alpine tundra?
Which type of vegetation dominates the alpine tundra?
Flashcards are hidden until you start studying
Study Notes
Biomes and Climate
- Air cools as it rises up mountains, causing moisture to condense and precipitate.
- Climates shape temperate biomes, which are defined as areas with similar climatic conditions.
- Biome distribution is affected by climate, elevation, and soil characteristics.
Soil Composition and Importance
- Soil is more than dirt; it consists of minerals, air, water, and living organisms.
- Variation in soil color (e.g., red vs. black) is influenced by factors like climate and parent material (rocks underneath).
- The acronym CLORPT summarizes soil formation factors: Climate, Organisms, Relief, Parent material, Time.
- Soil horizons exist as distinct layers:
- O horizon (organic layer)
- A horizon (mixture of organic material and minerals)
- B horizon (materials leached from A)
- C horizon (weathered parent material)
Soil Properties
- Soil texture is determined by the ratio of sand, silt, and clay:
- Sand has the largest particles, drains quickly, and has high filtration rates.
- Clay has the smallest particles, retains water longer, and can lead to low nutrient availability.
- Soil pH impacts nutrient availability and plant growth; limiting nutrients reduces overall plant growth.
Terrestrial Biomes Overview
- Terrestrial biomes are characterized by similar climate and community structures, primarily examined through vegetation.
- Major biome types include:
- Tropical Rainforest: Located near the equator; warm, humid, nutrient-poor soils; high biodiversity.
- Tropical Dry Forest: Less precipitation than rainforests; seasonal variations lead to diverse ecosystems.
- Desert: Extreme temperatures, drought, sparsely populated; human activity is increasing desertification.
- Grassland: Limited precipitation leads to less tree cover; rich soils and high plant root development.
- Temperate Deciduous Forest: High precipitation and diverse plant growth; often human-altered.
- Temperate Rain Forest: Characterized by large trees and high moisture; contains epiphytes.
- Boreal Forest (Taiga): Poor, acidic soils; shorter growing seasons; significant for the paper industry.
- Tundra: Permanently frozen soil (permafrost); limited plant growth and animal migration.
Aquatic Biomes
- Eight aquatic biomes exist, with three sub-categories in freshwater wetlands.
- Freshwater biomes include:
- Streams and Rivers: Flowing water ecosystems; sediments accumulate downstream.
- Ponds and Lakes: Non-flowing bodies; have distinct zones including littoral, limnetic, profundal, and benthic.
- Freshwater Wetlands: Saturated, shallow water areas; include swamps, marshes, and bogs.
Coastal and Marine Biomes
- Estuaries: Where freshwater meets saltwater; unique organisms adapted to fluctuating salinity.
- Salt Marshes: Coastal zones characterized by herbaceous plants.
- Mangrove Swamps: Support salt-tolerant trees; provide storm protection.
- Intertidal Zone: Area between high and low tides; challenges include moisture and temperature fluctuations.
- Coral Reefs: Biodiverse marine ecosystems in warm, shallow waters; thrive in upwelling areas.
- Open Ocean: Largest biome area; divided into neritic (near shore) and oceanic (deep ocean) zones.
Soil Nutrients and Plant Growth
- Essential soil nutrients include nitrogen, phosphorus, calcium, and potassium; vital for the creation of organic compounds.
- Nutrients exist in soil as ions; their availability impacts plant health and growth, with clay showing high cation capacity.
- Transpiration and osmosis govern water movement within plants.
Thermoregulation in Organisms
- Thermoregulation types include:
- Poikilotherms: Variable body temperatures influenced by environment.
- Heterotherms: Internal temperature fluctuates based on surrounding temperatures.
- Homeotherms: Maintain stable internal temperatures.
- Heat sources include conduction, convection, and evaporation, with adaptations like basking to regulate temperature.
Additional Notes
- Behavioral adaptations like basking help ectotherms maintain optimal body temperature.
- Aquatic turnover in lakes promotes nutrient availability, driving productivity.
- Freshwater wetlands provide critical ecological functions and are vital for biodiversity conservation.
Studying That Suits You
Use AI to generate personalized quizzes and flashcards to suit your learning preferences.
