Climate & Biogeography

Flashcards about Climate & Biogeography

What is the Tropic of Cancer's latitude?

23.5°N

What is the Tropic of Capricorn's latitude?

23.5°S

What prompted naturalists to identify biogeographic realms?

Broad patterns of distribution

Name two abiotic limiting factors affecting species distribution.

Temperature, Water

Name two biotic limiting factors affecting species distribution.

Food source, Competition

Give an example of a density-dependent limiting factor.

Limited resources

Give an example of a density-independent limiting factor.

Natural disasters

What are the four major abiotic components of climate?

Temperature, water, sunlight, and wind

What is macroclimate?

Patterns on global and regional scales

What is microclimate?

Very fine, small-scale patterns

What is an important correlate for temperature, sun exposure, and rainfall?

Latitude

Where does maximal solar heating occur?

The equator

Uneven heating on earth causes what?

Wet and dry areas

What happens during the June solstice?

Northern Hemisphere tilts toward the sun; summer begins in Northern Hemisphere; winter begins in Southern Hemisphere

What happens during the March equinox?

Equator faces sun directly; neither pole tilts toward sun; all regions on Earth experience 12 hours of daylight and 12 hours of darkness

What is the Coriolis Effect?

Effect of the earth’s rotation upon objects/fluids in motion over long distances

In which direction does motion veer in the Northern Hemisphere due to the Coriolis Effect?

Clockwise

What is the effect of ocean currents on climate?

Moderates climate extremes

How do proximity to bodies of water affect climate fluctuations?

Reduces climate fluctuations

What is a general climate pattern for coastal regions?

Wet with moderate temps

What is a general climate pattern for inland regions?

Dry with extreme hot/cold temps

Define biomes.

The major types of ecosystems

Name two primary determining factors of terrestrial biomes.

Temperature, water availability

What is a climatograph?

Graph of annual mean temperature and precipitation

What does a climatograph control?

Vegetation patterns

Define convergence in the context of biogeography.

Similar form & function in unrelated organisms from similar ecosystems

List three characteristics of tropical forests.

Warm stable temperature, 100+ inches of rain , Low nutrient soils

List three characteristics of savanna biomes.

Warm temperature, Low consistent rainfall, Less structure and diversity

List three characteristics of desert biomes.

Temperature extremes, Precipitation infrequent, Evaporation exceeds precipitation

What latitude are most deserts found?

30° north and south

List 3 adaptations for water conservation in desert biomes

Delayed germination, Loss of vegetation, Burrowing and nocturnal animals

What is another name for chaparral biome?

Mediterranean climate

List 3 characteristics of chaparral biomes.

Cool offshore currents, Mild rainy winters, Long hot summers

List 3 characteristics of temperate grasslands.

Cold winters, Seasonal drought, Occasional fire

List three characteristics of temperate deciduous forests.

Warm summers and cold winters, Ample precipitation, Deciduous vegetation

Give another name for temperate deciduous forests

Temperate Broadleaf forest

List three characteristics of coniferous forests.

Short summers, Harsh winters, Poor soils

List 3 characteristics of the tundra biome.

Northern latitudes, Short warm summers, Long bitter cold winters

What is permafrost?

Permanently frozen ground

What percentage of Earth’s surface do aquatic biomes cover?

75%

Name the three zones that aquatic biomes are stratified into.

Littoral zone, Limnetic zone, Benthic zone

Define oligotrophic lakes.

Few nutrients, few producers, clear water

Define eutrophic lakes.

Abundant nutrients, abundant phytoplankton, murky, green water

What happens to lakes as the surface water cools rapidly in autumn?

It sinks below the underlying layers, remixing the water until the surface begins to freeze

Define wetlands.

Alternate between aquatic and terrestrial

Define estuaries.

Transition between freshwater and marine

What are the two ocean zones?

Neritic province, Oceanic province

What percentage of the ocean has sufficient sunlight for photosynthesis?

Top 2%

List three characteristics of tropical neritic biomes.

Warm, stratified, oligotrophic waters

What are coral reefs?

Oases in the desert

List two characteristics of temperate neritic biomes.

Cold, eutrophic waters

What causes upwelling?

Surface water blown offshore; replaced by deep water

What is the base food source for abyssal benthic biomes?

Organic marine snow

What percentage of the biosphere does the oceanic biome cover?

90%

What are the biogeographic realms?

Nearctic, Neotropical, Ethiopian, Oriental, Australian, Palearctic

What is the effect of wind stress on species distribution?

It can act as an abiotic limiting factor.

How does latitude affect photoperiod?

Latitude is a secondary determining factor for photoperiod in biomes.

What role do phytoplankton blooms play in temperate neritic biomes?

They contribute to the high productivity of these waters.

What are the main abiotic factors affecting the distribution of organisms?

Temperature, Water, Soil type, Sunlight, Salinity, Wind stress, Altitude, depth

What are the main biotic factors affecting the distribution of organisms?

Food source, Competition, Predators, Social factors, mates, Pathogens, parasites, Vegetation

What is the significance of fire in maintaining coniferous forests?

Fire is a natural disturbance that helps maintain the structure and composition of coniferous forests.

What is the role of grazing in preventing tree invasion in savanna biomes?

Grazing animals consume young trees and shrubs, preventing them from establishing and turning the savanna into a forest.

How does human activity impact temperate grasslands?

Conversion to agriculture, overgrazing, and introduction of invasive species

What type of vegetation is commonly found in temperate deciduous forests?

Deciduous vegetation (trees that lose their leaves seasonally)

What is the role of delayed germination as an adaptation for water conservation in desert biomes?

Ensures seeds germinate only when there is sufficient moisture available.

What are the conditions like in temperate rain forests in northwestern North America?

High precipitation and moderate temperatures

What is the impact of deforestation on species distribution?

Deforestation can alter local climate, reduce habitat, and lead to the loss of species.

How do mountains influence rainfall patterns?

They create rain shadows, with one side receiving high rainfall and the other side being dry.

How does proximity to bodies of water influence temperature?

Water moderates temperature due to its high heat capacity, leading to cooler summers and warmer winters near bodies of water.

What is the significance of the abyssal zone in aquatic biomes?

It is a region of extreme pressure, cold temperatures, and darkness, supporting unique communities of organisms.

What causes seasons?

The constant tilt of the Earth on it's axis, and the Earth's orbit around the sun.

Describe the annual temperature and rainfall in a tropical rain forest

Warm stable temperature and 100+ inches of rain.

What is the effect of pollutants on species distributions?

Pollution can affect species distribution, it is a density dependent limiting factor.

How does solar heating cause wet and dry areas to form?

Even heating of the earth causes large air cells and areas of higher and lower rain fall.

How do ocean currents moderate climate on the earth?

Heat absorbed by ocean waters at the equator is distributed northward.

How does evaporation exceed precipitation in Deserts?

Due to high temperatures and low levels of precipitation.

What is the main determinant of Terrestrial biomes?

The climate

What is the relationship between warm and dry areas of the world?

Higher rates of precipitation happen where more water is evaporated.

Why are tundra locations in northern latitude?

Because it is colder the further you travel from the equator.

What Biome is described as transitioning between fresh and salt water?

Estuaries

Why might animals be burrowing and nacturnal in deser biomes?

As an adaption for water conservation

What ocean zone often has Coral reefs?

Tropical Neritic Biome

How would you describe the impact of 'human' activities for Temprate Grasslands?

High, They reduce the amount of grassland.

Which is the biggest: Neritic province or Oceanic province?

Oceanic province

What is the aphotic zone?

Zone that light cannot penetrate

In which of the Hemispheres does motion veer clockwise?

Northern

Due to their biology, which main abiotic factor can cause fire?

Wind

What is lake turnover and what seasons have it?

Lakes are sensitive to seasonal temperature change, Spring and Autumns

Which Biome are cone bearing trees?

Coniferous forrests

Which area is off shore (ocean zones)?

Oceanic province

Which Aquatic Biome has the largest ecosystem?

Oceanic

In Ecology, how far is the scale set for microclimates?

Determined by size and mobility of the organisms

How does the land type affect Biomes?

By being an indirect factor.

Why are tundras low growing vegetations?

Due to short warm summers combined with long bitter cold winters

How far is 200 m from the oceanic Biome top?

Continental shelf or Photic zone

Where are temperate regions of the world found?

35 to 50 north and south

How does water travel and move nutrients in aquatic biomes?

Upwelling

Which ocean receives very little sunlight due to its dept?

Abyssal Benthic Biome

Why do some tropical areas have lower rainfall?

Seasons or uneven heating

Why are nutrients Low in the soils of tropic Forrests?

Rapid decomposition and recycling