APES Unit 1- Section: Biomes and Zones

Mutualism

a symbiotic relationship where both species benefit from the interaction.

Commensalism

a symbiotic relationship where one species benefits while the other is neither helped nor harmed.

Parasitism

a symbiotic relationship where one species benefits at the expense of the other.

Resource partitioning

the process by which species use the available resources in different ways at different times to minimize competition and coexist.

The Taiga Biome

a cold and dry in the winter, wet during the summer months. Located in northernmost parts of the world and has distinct seasons.

Temperate Rainforests

characterized by high rainfall in some months, but low in the summer. No clear/distinct location, and they are on the smaller side of forests.

The Tropical Rainforests

Located around the equator and has a constant temperature with tremendous amounts of precipitation.

Temperate Seasonal Forests

Significant rainfall and varying temperatures.

Shrubland

A kind of desert that has a high temperature and low precipitation rate, typically found in and around the Middle East.

The Temperate Grasslands

huge variants in temperature plus modest to sporadic precipitation, found in most parts of the U.S. and some parts of Russia,

The Savannah

A form of desert that has a very high precipitation rate in the winter and a very low one in the summer, the temperature is fairly consistent.

The Deserts

Temperate: Temperature varies

Cold: Cold in winter months

Tropical: Mostly wam

The Tundra

Very cold desert with low temperatures, limited precipitation, and a short growing season, primarily found in the Arctic and Antarctic regions.

Euphotic Zone

Phytoplankton, low nutrient levels, high levels of dissolved oxygen, and upwellings of nutrients from deeper waters. (ocean)

Bathyal Zone

The oceanic zone that lies between the euphotic and abyssal zones, dimly lit, zooplankton, and smaller fish. (ocean)

Abyssal Zone

The oceanic zone, which is found at the deepest parts of the ocean, is characterized by complete darkness, cold temperatures, little dissolved oxygen, and is home to deposit feeders and filter feeders. (ocean)

Coral Reefs

Coral reefs are diverse underwater ecosystems formed by colonies of coral polyps, providing habitat for numerous marine species and promoting biodiversity.

Estuaries

Estuaries are transitional areas where freshwater from rivers meets and mixes with saltwater from the ocean, supporting unique ecosystems that serve as nurseries for many marine species.

Marshlands

Marshlands are coastal wetland areas dominated by grasses, herbs, and other non-woody plants, frequently flooded with water, providing crucial habitats for wildlife and serving as natural water filters.

Lentic Ecosystem

A lentic ecosystem is a type of aquatic system characterized by standing water bodies, such as lakes and ponds. (freshwater)

Lotic Ecyosystems

Lotic ecosystems are aquatic systems characterized by flowing water bodies, such as rivers and streams. (freshwater)

Littoral Zone

This area is near the shore where rooted plants grow, so there’s high biodiversity. (freshwater)

Limnetic Zone

Open sunlight area away from the shore; main photosynthetic zone with some larger fish. (freshwater)

Profundal Zone

Located in deep water, so too dark for photosyntethis, very low oxygen levels, some fish, but very little. (freshwater)

Benthic Zone

Bottom layer, contains. decomposers, detritus feeders, some fish, and is nourished primarily from dead matter. (freshwater)

Oligotrophic Lakes

Lakes with low nutrient levels, clear water, and deep, well-oxygenated environments that have low net primary production (npp).

Eutrophic Lakes

Lakes with high nutrient levels, murky water, lower oxygen levels, high net primary production (npp), and high turbidity.

The Source Zone

Shallow, cold, clear, fast, high amount of dissolved oxygen. (freshwater)

The Transition Zone

Wider, deeper, warmer streams, more turbid. (freshwater)

The Floodplain Zone

wide, deep rivers + broad, flat valleys. (freshwater)