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Which of the following is NOT a terrestrial biome?
Which of the following is NOT a terrestrial biome?
What primarily distinguishes biomes from one another?
What primarily distinguishes biomes from one another?
Which factor primarily drives atmospheric circulation patterns?
Which factor primarily drives atmospheric circulation patterns?
Which part of the biosphere includes frozen water?
Which part of the biosphere includes frozen water?
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What is the definition of climate?
What is the definition of climate?
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At what geographic location would you typically find major deserts?
At what geographic location would you typically find major deserts?
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Which layer comprises the uppermost horizon of soil?
Which layer comprises the uppermost horizon of soil?
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How does the Coriolis effect influence wind patterns?
How does the Coriolis effect influence wind patterns?
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What characteristic of Spodosols is primarily due to the leaching process?
What characteristic of Spodosols is primarily due to the leaching process?
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In which biome is soil most likely to be nutrient-poor and acidic?
In which biome is soil most likely to be nutrient-poor and acidic?
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What type of vegetation characterizes the tropical savanna?
What type of vegetation characterizes the tropical savanna?
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What factors primarily regulate seasons in the tropical savanna?
What factors primarily regulate seasons in the tropical savanna?
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What is a common environmental challenge faced in the desert biome?
What is a common environmental challenge faced in the desert biome?
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How much annual rainfall is typically found in tropical savannas?
How much annual rainfall is typically found in tropical savannas?
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Which factor contributes to the high species richness in tropical rainforests?
Which factor contributes to the high species richness in tropical rainforests?
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In the context of deserts, what does 'biodiversity' refer to?
In the context of deserts, what does 'biodiversity' refer to?
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What is the primary characteristic of the O horizon in a soil profile?
What is the primary characteristic of the O horizon in a soil profile?
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Which adaptation helps desert plants like the Barrel Cactus conserve water?
Which adaptation helps desert plants like the Barrel Cactus conserve water?
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What distinguishes Ultisol from other soil types?
What distinguishes Ultisol from other soil types?
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What is a characteristic feature of Mediterranean Woodland and Shrubland?
What is a characteristic feature of Mediterranean Woodland and Shrubland?
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What is the process described by laterization in Ultisols?
What is the process described by laterization in Ultisols?
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How do the trees in temperate forests respond to seasonal changes?
How do the trees in temperate forests respond to seasonal changes?
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Which soil order is associated with arid or semi-arid climates?
Which soil order is associated with arid or semi-arid climates?
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What does salinization describe in the context of Aridisols?
What does salinization describe in the context of Aridisols?
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What distinguishes boreal forests from temperate forests?
What distinguishes boreal forests from temperate forests?
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Which statement correctly describes the climate conditions of temperate grasslands?
Which statement correctly describes the climate conditions of temperate grasslands?
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Which horizon typically contains plant roots and is a mix of various soil particles?
Which horizon typically contains plant roots and is a mix of various soil particles?
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What type of vegetation dominates temperate grasslands?
What type of vegetation dominates temperate grasslands?
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How do Al+++ and Fe++ contribute to Ultisol's characteristics?
How do Al+++ and Fe++ contribute to Ultisol's characteristics?
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Which of the following is NOT one of the twelve soil orders mentioned?
Which of the following is NOT one of the twelve soil orders mentioned?
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How do smaller animals adapt to desert environments?
How do smaller animals adapt to desert environments?
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What is a common environmental challenge faced by Mediterranean Woodland and Shrubland?
What is a common environmental challenge faced by Mediterranean Woodland and Shrubland?
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Study Notes
Life on Land - Chapter 2
- A biome is a large, distinct terrestrial region.
- Biomes have similar climates, soil, plants, and animals.
- Biomes are primarily distinguished by their dominant plants and associated climates.
- Examples of terrestrial biomes include grassland, desert, tropical rainforest, deciduous forests, coniferous forests, and tundra.
- Freshwater and marine are the two basic aquatic biomes.
Terrestrial Biomes Examples
- Grassland: Characterized by abundant grass.
- Desert: Characterized by scarce water; often hot and dry.
- Tropical Rainforest: Warm temperatures and high rainfall.
- Deciduous Forest: Trees lose their leaves seasonally.
- Coniferous Forest: Trees have needle-like leaves.
- Tundra: Treeless biome, cold and dry.
Geographic and Seasonal Variations
- Temperature and precipitation significantly affect biome types.
- The graph illustrates the relationship between average temperature, precipitation and the distribution of various biomes.
Biome Distribution on Earth
- A diagram displays the distribution of biomes across the globe in relation to temperature and precipitation.
Climate Factors
- The Earth's spherical shape and tilt cause uneven heating, leading to different climate patterns.
- Patterns in which air circulates produce major differences in rainfall.
- Near the equator, warm, moist air rises. Then cools, condenses, and falls as rain.
- Warmer dry air falls back to surface leading to deserts.
- Rainfall tends to be concentrated near the equator.
- Continents experience a change in the weather depending on the time of year.
Weather vs. Climate
- Weather describes atmospheric conditions at a specific time and place.
- Climate is the long-term average of weather patterns.
- Oceans are important in influencing weather and climate patterns.
- Earth's climate involves interactions of various spheres (atmosphere, hydrosphere, geosphere/lithosphere, cryosphere).
- The biosphere consists of all four.
Coriolis Effect
- The Earth's rotation affects wind patterns by causing apparent deflections (clockwise in the Northern Hemisphere, counter-clockwise in the Southern Hemisphere).
Soil: Foundation of Terrestrial Biomes
- Soil is a complex mixture of living and non-living material.
- Soil is categorized based on vertical layering (soil horizons).
- Soil profiles provide snapshots of soil structure, which are constantly changing.
Soil Profile
- The soil profile is a vertical section of soil from the ground surface down to the underlying rock.
- The figure shows layers (horizons) within soil.
- O horizon: organic matter (humus).
- A horizon: top soil, rich in organic matter, typically dark.
- B horizon: subsoil, zone of accumulation of leached materials; often contains minerals such as calcite in arid climates (caliche).
- C horizon: weathered bedrock, below soil profile.
Soil Orders
- There are 12 orders of soil.
- Specific soil orders like Entisol, Mollisol, Alfisol, Andisol, Aridisol, Inceptisol, Histosol, Oxisol, Vertisol, Spodosol, Ultisol, and Gelisol are listed.
Soil Characteristics
- Specific soil descriptions were provided for different soil orders (like Ultisol and Aridisol)
- Ultisol (also known as laterization) is highly leached.
- Aridisol (found in deserts) is low in organic matter and prone to salinization
Tropical Rainforests
- Little temperature variation throughout the year.
- High daily rainfall.
- Found near the equator in specific regions.
- These soils are nutrient-poor and acidic.
- Most plants have shallow roots.
- Nutrients are tied up in vegetation rather than soil.
- Characterized by three distinct canopy layers.
Tropical Savanna
- Occurs north and south of tropical dry forests, within 10-20 degrees of the equator.
- The climate alternates between wet and dry seasons.
- Drought-associated wildfires can happen.
- Soils are low in nutrients due to leaching.
- Wide expanses of grass and occasional acacia trees.
- Vegetation has fire-adaptive characteristics.
Deserts
- Major bands at 20-25 degrees N and S latitude.
- Found on every continent.
- Water loss through evapotranspiration often exceeds precipitation.
- The driest biome on Earth.
- Soil usually has extremely low organic matter, especially humus.
- Plant cover can range from sparse to absent.
- Abundant animal biodiversity, but low animal density.
- Diverse animal adaptations to conserve water.
- Desert plants have adapted with spines, thick cuticle, deep roots, and succulents.
Mediterranean Woodland and Shrubland
- Occurs on all continents except Antarctica.
- Climate is cool and moist during fall, winter, and spring, but hot and dry in summer.
- Soils are fragile but with moderate fertility.
- Trees and shrubs are typically evergreen.
- Plants have adaptations for fire.
- Humans have greatly impacted the land.
Temperate Grassland
- Extremely widespread distribution.
- Annual rainfall 300-1,000 mm.
- Experience periodic droughts.
- Soils are extremely nutrient-rich and deep.
- Dominated by herbaceous vegetation.
- Large roaming ungulates (like bison and cattle).
Temperate Forests
- Characterized by four seasons.
- Rainfall averages 650-3,000 mm.
- Dominated by deciduous trees.
- Rich in nutrients and deep fertile soil.
Boreal Forests
- Confined to the Northern Hemisphere.
- Covers 11% of Earth’s land area.
- Thin, acidic soils that have low fertility.
- Dominated by evergreen conifers.
- High animal density (like deserts).
- Historically low human intrusion.
Tundra
- Covers most lands north of the Arctic Circle.
- Cool and dry climate with short summers.
- 200-600 mm precipitation.
- Low decomposition and primary production rates (like deserts).
- High diversity of native mammals.
- Temperature rarely higher than 10°C; short growing season (50 to 160 days).
- Nutrient-poor, acidic soils with little organic matter.
- Low primary productivity and decomposition.
Mountains
- Formed by geological processes; concentrated in belts of geological activity.
- Climate changes with elevation (altitude) and latitude.
- Soils are generally well-drained and thin.
- Flora and fauna change with elevation.
- Historically used for resources for people.
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Description
Explore the fascinating world of terrestrial biomes in this quiz. Learn about the characteristics that define each biome, including grasslands, deserts, and tropical rainforests. Understand how geographic and seasonal variations impact these distinct regions.
