Topic 1.2: Terrestrial Biomes Flashcards

Vocabulary flashcards focusing on terrestrial biome characteristics, organism adaptations, global distributions, soil nutrient availability, and range shifting from AP Environmental Science Topic 1.2.

Biome

An area defined by a combination of average yearly temperature and precipitation, also known as climate.

Climate

The combination of average temperature and precipitation trends in a region over the course of a year.

Camel Adaptations

Structures such as humps that store energy in the form of fat, allowing survival during long periods without finding energy in harsh desert conditions.

Cacti Cuticles

Thick, waxy coats on cacti that prevent water loss through evaporation in dry desert environments.

Grassland Plant Adaptations

Long, deep roots in shrubs and wildflowers that store energy deep underground to allow rapid regrowth after wildfires devastate the landscape.

Tropical Seasonal Forest (Savannah)

A biome characterized by annual precipitation ranging from $60\text{ to }75\,\text{cm}$ up to $280\,\text{cm}$ and temperatures ranging from $18^\circ\text{C}$ to $29^\circ\text{C}$.

Tundra and Boreal Forest Latitudinal Pattern

Cold, low-precipitation biomes located farther away from the Equator and concentrated around $60^\circ$ latitude.

Temperate Biomes Distribution

Biomes such as temperate grasslands and temperate seasonal forests located in middle latitudes between $30^\circ$ and $60^\circ$, characterized by moderate temperatures and rainfall.

Tropical Biomes Distribution

Biomes such as tropical rainforests and tropical seasonal forests concentrated around the Equator, characterized by direct sunlight, warm temperatures, and high precipitation.

Permafrost

Permanently frozen soil in the tundra that severely limits organic matter decomposition, nutrient recycling, and water availability.

Active Layer

The thin layer of soil in the tundra that thaws out each year and is available for plant growth.

Tropical Rainforest Soil Quality

Nutrient-poor soil resulting from high competition among dense plant growth, where nutrients are absorbed as soon as they become available.

Boreal Forest Soil Quality

Nutrient-poor soil in cold biomes dominated by coniferous trees (such as pine, aspen, and spruce), where low temperatures slow decomposers like earthworms and fungi from breaking down organic matter.

Temperate Forest Soil Quality

High-nutrient soil created when broadleaf trees like oaks and maples drop leaves each fall, combined with moderate temperatures that foster faster decomposition.

Biome Shifting

The gradual movement of biome ranges (such as the boreal forest creeping northward) caused by global climate change thawing previously frozen soils and warming southern regions.