Climate, Biomes, and Ecosystems Overview

What is climate?

The pattern of atmospheric conditions in a given area over periods ranging from at least three decades to thousands of years.

What are the key factors that influence climate?

Incoming solar energy, Earth's rotation, global patterns of air and water movements, greenhouse gases in the atmosphere, and Earth's surface features.

What natural events can cause climate changes?

Changes in solar energy input, changes in Earth's orbit, extensive volcanic eruptions, and changes in ocean temperature and currents.

How do human activities contribute to climate change?

By large inputs of carbon dioxide (CO2) and other greenhouse gases that alter the natural greenhouse effect.

What are some factors that help determine regional climates?

Greenhouse gases, cyclical movement of air in convection cells, uneven heating of Earth's surface, ocean currents, and global air circulation patterns.

What defines a biome?

Large terrestrial regions characterized by certain types of climate and dominant plant life, shown with sharp boundaries.

How do biomes vary?

They vary with both latitude and elevation.

Name three types of biomes.

Tropical rainforest, temperate deciduous forest, and tundra.

What is a desert characterized by?

Low annual precipitation, warm days and cool nights, and soil with little vegetation and moisture.

What are the characteristics of a tropical desert?

Hot and dry most of the year, few plants, and a hard, windblown surface with rocks and sand.

What adaptations do flora in deserts have?

They have adapted to survive with little water and poor soil, thriving in high temperatures.

Give an example of a plant that thrives in desert conditions.

Date Palm.

What is notable about the Saharan Cypress?

It is capable of living for over 2,000 years.

What adaptations do desert fauna have?

Some hide during the day, store water, or move across vast distances.

What is the Deathstalker Scorpion known for?

It is one of the most venomous scorpions in the world and glows under ultraviolet light.

How does the Saharan Silver Ant adapt to the desert environment?

It has a coat of silver hairs that reflects sunlight and limits heat absorption.

What are the characteristics of a temperate desert?

High daytime temperatures in summer, low in winter, and more precipitation than tropical deserts.

What type of vegetation is found in a temperate desert?

Sparse vegetation consisting mostly of drought-resistant shrubs or cacti.

What is the significance of Pinyon pitch?

It has been used to waterproof baskets, mend cracked jars, and as a sealant for throwing sticks.

What is the adaptation of the Desert Tortoise?

It can survive for a year or more without drinking water.

How do camels adapt to desert life?

They can store water and survive long periods without drinking.

What adaptations do antelope jackrabbits have to deal with desert heat?

They can decrease the flow of blood to the ears, minimizing heat exchange.

What is the Horned Toad also known as?

It is also called a horny toad or horned lizard.

What are the characteristics of cold deserts?

Vegetation is sparse, winters are cold, summers are warm or hot, and precipitation is low.

What are some examples of flora found in cold deserts?

Saxaul, Khomuul, Bindweed, Goyo, Gobi Berry, Saltwort, and Wild Bactrian Camel.

What animal is known for its long and powerful back legs that enable it to jump far?

The Snow leopard.

What are the main features of desert ecosystems?

They are fragile, with slow plant growth, low species diversity, slow nutrient cycling, and very little water.

What factors contribute to the persistence of grasslands?

Seasonal drought, grazing by large herbivores, and occasional fires.

What defines tropical grasslands (savanna)?

They contain widely scattered clumps of trees with thorns, have warm temperatures year-round, and alternating wet and dry seasons.

What is significant about the African Baobab tree?

Some specimens are over 2,000 years old, with the oldest recorded at 2,450 years when it died in 2011.

What are the uses of Gum acacia?

It is used for products like adhesives, inks, drugs, and confectionery.

What is the purpose of the dark-colored tongue of a giraffe?

It protects the tongue from the sun and is covered with thick, gluelike saliva to protect against thorns.

What are some examples of fauna found in temperate grasslands?

Buffalo grass, Ironweed, Wild lupine, Sunflower, Przewalski's horses, Long-billed Curlew, Pronghorn antelope, Swift fox, American bison, and Black-footed ferrets.

What are the characteristics of cold grassland tundra?

It lies south of the arctic polar ice cap, is bitterly cold for most of the year, has long dark winters, and scant precipitation that falls as snow.

What is the cultural significance of cotton grass in Inuit culture?

It was used as wicks for lamps or candles made by drying out the grass and mixing it with seal fat or caribou fat.

What are some animals found in tropical grasslands?

Giraffe, Elephant, Pygmy falcon, Zebras, Spotted hyena, Vulture, Cheetah, and Lion.

What is the climate like in temperate grasslands?

Winters are bitterly cold, summers are hot and dry, and annual precipitation is sparse and uneven.

What is a notable feature of the Candelabra tree?

It is covered with a milky wax that is extremely toxic and can cause keratouveitis.

What is the significance of the Pronghorn antelope in grasslands?

It is one of the fastest land animals, adapted to the open spaces of grasslands.

What is the role of off-road vehicle traffic in desert ecosystems?

It can destroy habitats for a variety of animals that live underground.

What is the primary threat to desert ecosystems?

Disturbances such as off-road vehicle traffic.

What is the main characteristic of the vegetation in cold deserts?

It is sparse.

What adaptations do plants in desert ecosystems typically have?

They are adapted to conserve water and withstand extreme temperatures.

What is the Creeping Arctic willow?

A plant species found in Arctic regions.

What is the Arctic Crocus?

A flowering plant that blooms in Arctic areas.

What animal is referred to as Caribou or reindeer?

A species of deer found in Arctic and subarctic regions.

What is unique about the Kea?

It is the only parrot living in alpine regions.

What animal is known as the Arctic hare?

A species of hare adapted to cold environments.

What is a Muskox?

A large, shaggy mammal found in Arctic regions.

Which animals are known for living in cold environments?

Polar bear and Penguins.

What defines a forest?

Lands dominated by trees.

Where are tropical rainforests typically found?

Near the equator.

What are the characteristics of tropical rainforests?

Year-round warm temperatures, high humidity, heavy rainfall, and high biodiversity.

What is the net primary productivity of tropical rainforests?

Very high.

What type of plants dominate tropical rainforests?

Broadleaf evergreen plants.

What is the significance of tropical rainforests in terms of biodiversity?

They contain at least half of the world's terrestrial plant and animal species.

What is a Strangler Fig?

A type of tree that grows on other trees in tropical rainforests.

What is the function of Bromeliads in the rainforest?

Their leaves collect water in a central tank.

What is the Acai Palm known for?

Producing a berry known as a superfood.

Why is the Carnauba Palm nicknamed the 'tree of life'?

Because of the many products derived from it.

What are Heliconias also known as?

Lobster claws, due to the shape of their flowers.

What is the habitat of the Philippine Monkey-eating Eagle?

Tropical forests in the Philippines.

What are the characteristics of temperate deciduous forests?

Moderate temperatures, distinct seasons, and abundant precipitation.

What type of trees dominate temperate deciduous forests?

Broadleaf deciduous trees.

What is the role of decomposition in temperate deciduous forests?

It accumulates a thick layer of nutrient-rich leaf litter.

What are some common fauna found in temperate deciduous forests?

Squirrels, Bluejays, White-tailed deer, Cougars, Bald Eagles.

What defines evergreen coniferous forests?

Dominance of coniferous evergreen trees and cold, dry winters.

What is a major ecological service provided by coastal aquatic systems?

Maintaining water quality by filtering pollutants.

What are the three major life zones in marine ecosystems?

Coastal zone, Open sea, Ocean bottom.

What is a coastal wetland?

Coastal land areas covered with water part of the year.

What are the threats to marine ecosystems?

Coastal development, pollution, overfishing, and invasive species.

What are inland wetlands?

Lands covered with freshwater all or part of the time.

What ecological services do inland wetlands provide?

Filtering pollutants, reducing flooding, and maintaining biodiversity.