Friedland Environmental Science for AP® Course, 4th Edition - Module 2 Vocabulary

Terrestrial biome

A geographic region of land categorized by a particular combination of average annual temperature, annual precipitation, and distinctive plant growth forms.

Aquatic biome

An aquatic region characterized by a particular combination of salinity, depth, and water flow.

Habitat

An area where a particular species lives in nature.

Tundra

A cold and treeless biome with low-growing vegetation. higher lat. (60^o +)

Permafrost

An impermeable, permanently frozen layer of soil.

Taiga

A forest biome made up primarily of coniferous evergreen trees that can tolerate cold winters and short growing seasons. Also known as boreal forest. has nutrient-poor soil (low temp. & low decomp. rate of dead org. matter)

Temperate rainforest

A coastal biome typified by moderate temperatures and high precipitation.

Temperate seasonal forest

A biome with warm summers and cold winters with over 1 m (39 inches) of annual precipitation. Nutrient-rich soil (lots of dead org. matter - leaves & warm temp/moisture for decomp.)

Shrubland (chaparral)

A biome characterized by hot, dry summers and mild, rainy winters. Also known as woodland.

Temperate grassland

A biome characterized by cold, harsh winters, and hot, dry summers. Also known as cold desert.

Tropical rainforest

A warm and wet biome found between 20° N and 20°S of the equator, with little seasonal temperature variation and high precipitation. Has nutrient-poor soil (high competition from so many diff. plant species)

Savannah

A biome marked by warm temperatures and distinct wet and dry seasons. They grow in tropical regions 8° to 20° from the Equator.

Hot desert

A biome located at roughly 30° N and 30° S, and characterized by hot temperatures, extremely dry conditions, and sparse vegetation.

deciduous forest

Vegetation composed primarily of broad-leaved trees that shed all their leaves during one season. Found in three middle-latitude regions with a temperate climate characterized by a winter season and year-round precipitation.

Tropical

High temperatures and significant precipitation