ENVS Chapter 5 Pt 1

Biomes

Large biological communities characterized by specific temperature and precipitation ranges, influencing the types of species that inhabit them.

Biodiversity

The number and variety of different biological species present in a biome or ecosystem.

Tropical Rainforests

Biomes with abundant rainfall (over 200 cm per year) and warm to hot temperatures year-round.

Deserts

Biomes characterized by scarce precipitation (less than 30 cm per year) and dry conditions.

Temperate Grasslands

Biomes with enough rain to support grass but not forests, found in midlatitude regions.

Temperate Scrublands

Dry environments with drought-adapted shrubs and trees, such as mediterranean scrub or chaparral.

Coniferous Forests

Forests dominated by cone-bearing trees, often found in cold or dry climates with limited moisture.

Tundra

Treeless landscapes with freezing temperatures most of the year, located at high latitudes or on mountaintops.

Phytoplankton

Tiny, free-floating photosynthetic algae crucial for marine food webs, especially near coastlines.

Wetlands

Areas like swamps, marshes, and bogs characterized by water-saturated ground and specific vegetation types.

Rivers and Streams

Open systems formed by the merging of surplus water from streams, supporting diverse communities along their course.

Biodiversity

Essential for ecological systems, including genetic diversity, species diversity, and ecological diversity.