Biology Chapter 34: Ecology and the Biosphere

ecology

the scientific study of the interactions between organisms and the environment. 

biome

 major type of ecological association that occupies a broad geographic region of land or water and is characterized by organisms adapt to the particular environment

estuary

biome that occurs where a freshwater stream or river merges with the ocean

brackish water

Mix of salty and freshwater

wetlands

biome that is transitional between an aquatic ecosystem (either marine or freshwater) and a terrestrial one

desertification

conversion of semi-arid regions (usually a savanna) to desert

tropical dry forests

marked by prolonged dry seasons with plants adapted to survive the dry season such as succulents, thorny shrubs, & deciduous trees

tropical rainforest

very humid equatorial regions that have 200-400 cm of rain per year

savannas

dominated by grass and scattered trees

desert

driest of all terrestrial biomes characterized by low and unpredictable rainfall ( 2 cm of rain per year)

chaparral

mild, rainy winters and hot, dry summers due to cool ocean currents circulating offshore, limited to coastal areas

temperate grasslands

have similar characteristics to the savanna but are treeless except along rivers and streams and have cold winters

temperate deciduous forests

grows in midlatitude regions, where there is sufficient moisture to support the growth of large trees. Precipitation is relatively high. Dominate trees are hardwood deciduous trees

taiga (coniferous forest)

characterized conifers, cone-bearing evergreens. long, snowy winters and short, wet summers. The majority of the precipitation is the form of snow.

tundra

northernmost limits of plant growth and at high altitudes, characterized by dwarf woody shrubs, grasses, mosses, and lichens. long, bitter-cold winters

polar ice

includes regions of extremely cold temperature and low precipitation located at high latitudes, almost completely covered in snow.

transpiration

evaporative water loss from plants