Tropical Biogeography and Climate Quiz

The area of Earth between the Tropic of Cancer (23.5° North) and the Tropic of Capricorn (23.5° South).

The average annual temperature in tropical regions is always above 18°C (64.4°F).

The angle at which the Sun's rays hit the Earth is more direct in the tropics, leading to greater intensity and warmth.

The concentration of sun rays is higher in the tropics due to the Earth's curvature.

Sun rays travel a shorter distance through the atmosphere in the tropics, leading to less energy lost.

A band of low pressure near the equator where trade winds converge.

A periodic shift in atmospheric pressure and sea surface temperatures in the Pacific Ocean.

A climate pattern characterized by unusually warm surface temperatures in the central and eastern Pacific Ocean.

Major plant formations that correspond to climatic regions and reflect the ecological character of vegetation and natural communities.

These are regions defined by distinctive plant and animal life, reflecting the influence of climate and geological history.

This refers to the process of separating a large landmass into smaller units, like the splitting of Gondwana into continents we know today.

Areas of Earth with distinct climates and vegetation, often corresponding to latitude and altitude. Some examples are tropical rainforests, deserts, and tundra.

The division of the Earth into six distinct regions based on the distribution of plants and animals. Tropical rainforests, deserts, and tundras are examples of biomes found within these regions.

Part of the Earth's environment where living organisms are found.

A self-contained unit of living and non-living things interacting, like a pond or a forest.

A group of different populations living together in a specific place.

A group of organisms of the same species living in the same area.

A single individual organism.

The level of organization where natural selection acts on individual organisms.

The spatial and temporal organization of processes that determine species diversity.

The amount of carbon stored in living organisms and dead organic matter on land.

A decrease in the rate at which carbon is being stored in the Amazon rainforest.

The increase in the rate at which carbon is released from the Amazon rainforest due to tree death.

The time it takes for carbon to be stored in a system before it is released back into the atmosphere.

The process by which plants and trees absorb carbon dioxide from the atmosphere during photosynthesis.

The change in the amount of carbon stored in a system over time.

The rate at which new plant biomass is being produced in the Amazon rainforest.

The total amount of living organisms and dead organic matter in a given area.

A principle stating that organisms thrive best within a specific range of environmental factors, with performance decreasing outside this optimal range.

A hypothesis suggesting that tropical species are more vulnerable to climate change due to their adapted narrow temperature ranges, making them less adaptable to changing conditions.

The ability of a species to adjust its phenotype (physical traits) in response to environmental changes.

A measure of phenotypic change, defined as the change in one phenotypic standard deviation per generation.

The process of adaptation to a changing environment through genetic changes that occur across generations.

The movement of organisms from one location to another, often in response to environmental changes.

The time it takes for a species to complete a full life cycle, from birth to reproduction.

A measure of how quickly a species can adapt to a changing environment, considering its generation time and the rate of phenotypic plasticity.

The steady decline in the Amazon's ability to absorb carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.

The rate at which trees die in a forest.

The amount of carbon stored in the aboveground biomass of trees, essentially the weight of all the wood.

The amount of carbon gained by trees through photosynthesis, representing their growth.

A type of statistical model used to predict trends, taking into account potential variations between different plots.

A measure of how much uncertainty there is in the data, usually represented by a shaded area.

A type of analysis used to compare the trends of different groups, like forests with varying conditions, to see if the primary trend holds true.

The changes in the amount of carbon stored in the aboveground biomass of trees over time, which can be positive (gain) or negative (loss).