Unit-1 Biomes - Vocabulary Flashcards

Vocabulary flashcards covering key biome concepts, zones, climate terms, and impacts from the lecture notes.

Biome

A large geographical area characterized by specific climate conditions, plant communities, and animal populations; each biome is distinct due to its climate and life forms.

Terrestrial Biomes

Biomes that occur on land, including forests, grasslands, deserts, and tundra.

Aquatic Biomes

Biomes that occur in water, including freshwater and marine environments.

Tropical Rainforest

A rainforest located near the equator with warm temperatures year-round, high rainfall, nutrient-poor soils, and a developed canopy and understory with adaptive plants and animals.

Savanna (Tropical Grasslands)

A tropical grassland with scattered trees, warm year-round conditions, and distinct wet and dry seasons.

Hot Desert

An arid biome with very low precipitation, sparse vegetation, and adaptations for water conservation.

Temperate Grasslands

Grass-dominated biomes in temperate zones with moderate rainfall and frequent fires; few trees.

Taiga (Coniferous Forest)

Boreal forest of cool climates dominated by conifers; long winters and nutrient-poor soils.

Tundra

Cold, treeless biome with a short growing season and permafrost; low biodiversity.

Tropical Zone

Location between the Tropic of Cancer and the Tropic of Capricorn; warm year-round with high rainfall.

Temperate Zone

Location between the tropical and frigid zones; moderate temperatures with evenly distributed precipitation.

Frigid Zone (Polar Zone)

Polar regions around the Arctic and Antarctic Circles; extremely cold temperatures.

Tropic of Cancer

A latitude line at 23.5° N marking the northern boundary of the tropical zone.

Tropic of Capricorn

A latitude line at 23.5° S marking the southern boundary of the tropical zone.

Arctic Circle

The boundary at approximately 66.5° N marking the northern polar region.

Antarctic Circle

The boundary at approximately 66.5° S marking the southern polar region.

Equator

0° latitude; the reference line around which the globe is divided into north and south.

Climatograph

A graph of climate data for a region showing average monthly temperature and total monthly precipitation, usually based on 30 years of data.

Weather

Day-to-day atmospheric conditions in a location.

Climate

The average weather conditions in a region over a long period of time.

Latitude

Distance from the equator; influences solar energy, temperature, and seasonality.

Altitude

Elevation above sea level; affects temperature and oxygen levels, with higher altitudes typically cooler.

Soil

Soil type and quality influence vegetation; nutrient-rich soils support dense growth, while nutrient-poor soils limit it; pH and texture matter.

Topography

The physical features of the land (mountains, valleys, plains) that influence local climate and water drainage.

Water Availability

Proximity to oceans, rivers, and lakes that affects humidity, temperature, and the presence of aquatic biomes.

Human Activities

Deforestation, urbanization, agriculture, and pollution that impact biomes through habitat loss and climate change.

Natural Events

Volcanic eruptions, wildfires, hurricanes, etc., that can temporarily or permanently alter biomes.

Factors Impacting Biomes

Key influences on biome location: climate, latitude, altitude, soil, topography, water availability, human activities, and natural events.

Canopy

The upper layer of vegetation in a rainforest formed by tall trees.

Understory

The layer beneath the canopy in a rainforest, containing shade-tolerant plants and animals.

Montane

Relating to mountainous regions; includes montane tundra and montane forests.

Alpine Tundra

Tundra biome at high mountain elevations with cold temperatures and short growing seasons.