Figure 52.12 Exploring Terrestrial Biomes (Vocabulary Flashcards)

Vocabulary flashcards covering the major terrestrial biomes and key terms from Figure 52.12.

Tropical Rain Forest

A rainforest biome near the equator with high, relatively constant rainfall (about 200–400 cm/year) and warm year-round temperatures (roughly 25–29°C); vertically layered canopy (emergent trees, canopy, subcanopy, shrubs, herbs); dominated by broadleaf evergreen trees; epiphytes such as bromeliads and orchids are common on forest trees; extremely high biodiversity.

Tropical Dry Forest

Tropical forest biome with a pronounced dry season (about six to seven months) and 150–200 cm of annual rainfall; fewer vertical layers than rain forests; many trees shed leaves during the dry season; epiphytes less abundant; some areas have thorny shrubs and succulents.

Epiphyte

A plant that grows on another plant (not parasitic), such as bromeliads and orchids, using the host for support while obtaining light and moisture from the air.

CAM Photosynthesis

Crassulacean Acid Metabolism; a water-saving photosynthetic pathway in some desert plants where CO2 is fixed at night into organic acids and released for photosynthesis during the day.

C4 Photosynthesis

A photosynthetic adaptation in some grasses and other plants that concentrates CO2 in specialized cells, increasing efficiency under high temperatures and dry conditions and reducing photorespiration.

Desert

An arid biome with low, highly variable precipitation (generally <30 cm/year); plants include succulents, cacti/euphorbs, deeply rooted shrubs, and drought-tolerant herbs; adaptations include heat tolerance, desiccation tolerance, water storage, and reduced leaf area; some species have spines or chemical defenses; many plants use C4 or CAM photosynthesis; animals include snakes, lizards, scorpions, insects, and seed-eating rodents; water conservation is essential.

Permafrost

A permanently frozen layer of soil beneath the surface, found in tundra regions, which restricts root growth.

Tundra

A cold, treeless biome of the Arctic (and alpine tundra at high elevations) with low precipitation (20–60 cm, may exceed 100 cm in alpine tundra); winters are very cold and summers are short; vegetation is mostly herbaceous (mosses, grasses, forbs) with dwarf shrubs and lichens; permafrost underlies soils; typical animals include musk oxen, caribou/reindeer, bears, wolves, and migratory birds; mineral and oil extraction are significant human activities.

Savanna

A tropical-to-subtropical grassy biome with 30–50 cm annual rainfall and a long dry season; warm year-round temperatures (≈24–29°C); scattered thorny trees with small leaves; grasses and forbs form most ground cover; fires are common and plant species are fire-adapted; termites are important herbivores; large herbivores (wildebeest, zebras) and predators (lions, hyenas) are common, with seasonal migrations during drought.

Chaparral

A midlatitude coastal biome with 30–50 cm annual precipitation, cool, wet winters and hot, dry summers; dominated by shrubs and small trees with tough evergreen leaves; high plant diversity and numerous drought- and fire-adapted traits (some seeds require fire to germinate; roots resprout after fire).

Temperate Grassland

Midlatitude biome with 30–100 cm annual precipitation, highly seasonal rainfall; cold winters and hot summers; dominated by grasses and forbs; plants are drought- and fire-adapted; large grazers (bison, wild horses) and burrowing mammals (prairie dogs) are common.

Northern Coniferous Forest (Taiga)

Largest terrestrial biome, spanning northern North America and Eurasia; 30–70 cm annual precipitation (coastal areas >300 cm); dominated by cone-bearing trees (pine, spruce, fir, hemlock); needles or scales reduce water loss; fire can be important for regeneration; animals include moose, brown bears, Siberian tigers; insect outbreaks can influence forest health; heavily affected by logging.

Temperate Broadleaf Forest

Biome in midlatitudes with 70–200+ cm precipitation; cold winters (near 0°C) and hot summers (up to 35°C) with high humidity; vertical layering (closed canopy, understory, shrubs, herbs); deciduous trees predominate in the Northern Hemisphere; many species migrate or hibernate; heavily settled and historically logged, though forests are recovering in many regions; in Australia, eucalyptus trees are prominent in some areas.

Tropical Forest Biodiversity

Tropical forests house extremely high levels of life; estimates suggest 5–30 million undescribed insect, spider, and other arthropod species, underscoring the vast, largely undocumented biodiversity in these ecosystems.