Ecology - Chapter 2:Biomes

Biome

A geographic region that contains communities composed of organism with similar adaptations (Categorized by their major plant growth forms)

Convergent Evolution

A phenomenon in which two species descended form unrelated ancestors look similar because they have evolved under similar selective forces

Temperature and Precipitation

Limiting factors for plant growth and plant form

Plant growth limited by temperature

Precipitation line is above tempertaure line

PLant growth limited by Precipitation

Precipitation line is below the temperature line

Tundra

The coldest biome, characterized by a treeless expanse above permanently frozen soil

Boreal Forest Biome

A biome densely populated by everygreen needle-leaved trees, with a short growing season and severe winters. Also known as Taiga.

Temperate Rainforest Biome

known for mild temperatures and abundant preciptiation, dominated by evergreen forests

Temperate Seasonal Forest

Moderate temperatures and precipitation conditions, dominated by deciduous trees. Also known as temperate broadleaf forest/temperate deciduous forest.

Woodland Shrubland

Hot/dry summers and mild/wet winters, a combination that favors the growth of drought-tolerant grasses and shrubs. Also known as Chaparral

Temperate Grassland

Hot/dry summers and cold/harsh winters and dominated by grasses, nonwoody flowering plants, and drought-adapted shrubs. Also known as cold desert biome, prairies, pampas, or steppes

Tropical Rainforest

A warm and rainy biome, characterized by multiple layers of lush vegetation

Tropical seasonal forest

warm temperatures and pronounced wet and dry seasons, dominated by deciduous trees that shed their leaves during the dry season. Also known as Savanna

Subtropical Desert

Hot temperatures, scarce rainfall, long growing seasons, and sparse vegetation

Streams and Rivers

Characterized by flowing fresh water

Ponds and lakes

nonflowing fresh water with at least some area of water that is too deep for plants to rise above the waters surface

freshwater wetlands

aquatic biomes that contain standing fresh water or soils saturaated with fresh water for at least part of the year and are shallow enough to have emergent vegetaion throughout all depths

salt marshes

a saltwater biome that contains nonwoody emergent vegetation

estuaries

an area along the coast where the mouths of freshwater rivers mix with the salt water from oceans

Mangrove Swamp

a biome that occurs along tropical and subtropical coasts and contains salt-tolerant trees with roots submerged in water

Intertidal Zones

a biome consisting of the narrow band of coastline between the levels of high tide and low tide

Coral reefs

a marine biome found in warm, shallow waters that remain around 20 degrees celsius year-round

Open ocean

The part of the ocean that is away from the shoreline and coral reefs. Cover the largest portion of the surface of earth