Bio 2-L31- Deserts, tundra and Peatlands

deserts

can be cold or hot- low rain and extreme temperatures. little vegeratatopn

in deserts what plants do we see?

therophytes- annual plants

tundra- when is growing season

when temps go above 0- liquid water becomes available

low rain levels overall though

• permafrost

biggest plants in the tundra

hemicryptophytes- perennial plants that grow close to the ground as an adaptation- no shelter from wind otherwise

• mosses, lichens, grasses

why is there low nutrients in tundra

• low n fixation

• no rain

• show nutrient cycling as everything is frozen

what is peat

partially decayed matter formed under wet anerobic conditions- waterlogged

what lives in peatlands

detrivores- organisms that break down decaying organic matter, such as bacteria, fungi, and some invertebrates.

2 types of peatlands

temperate and tropical peatlands

what are raised bogs- ombrotrophic

water is being fed by rainfallrather than groundwater, leading to acidic conditions.

what are minertrophic fen bogs

wetlands that receive nutrients from groundwater and surface water, leading to richer conditions than ombrotrophic bogs.

what are blanket bogs

they are a type of peatland characterized by a layer of peat that covers the landscape, formed in cool, wet climates and always saturated with water.

what are xeromorphs

plants adapted to dry environments with specialized features to conserve water.