Unit 3: Biomes

These flashcards cover the key concepts regarding biomes, particularly focusing on aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems.

Aquatic Biome

A water-based ecosystem typically defined by salt content, availability of sunlight, and concentration of dissolved nutrients.

Marine Biome

An aquatic biome that is saltwater-based, accounting for about 98% of Earth's water.

Freshwater Biome

An aquatic biome with very low salinity, including lakes, rivers, streams, and wetlands.

Lentic

Freshwater biomes containing standing water, such as lakes and ponds.

Lotic

Freshwater biomes where the water is constantly moving, such as rivers and streams.

Oligotrophic Lakes

Lakes that are very low in nutrients, resulting in low levels of plankton and algae.

Eutrophic Lakes

Lakes with high concentrations of nutrients, leading to high levels of plankton and algae.

Wetland

An area saturated or covered by water for at least one season of the year, including marshes and swamps.

Estuary

A coastal wetland where freshwater from rivers or streams mixes with saltwater from the ocean.

Biodiversity

The variety of life in a habitat or ecosystem, often enhanced in wetlands.

Epipelagic Zone

The top 200 meters of ocean water where sunlight penetrates enough for photosynthesis.

Coral Reefs

Underwater limestone structures produced by corals that support a rich diversity of marine life.

Mangrove Swamps

Coastal wetlands in tropical regions characterized by salt-tolerant trees.

Temperate Biome

A biome defined by distinct seasons and moderate climate, including temperate forests and grasslands.

Climatogram

A graphical representation showing temperature and rainfall patterns in a specific area.

Tundra

A cold terrestrial biome characterized by low biodiversity, poor soil quality, and presence of mosses and lichens.

Taiga

Also known as boreal forest, this biome is characterized by coniferous forests and subarctic climate.

Desert

A terrestrial biome characterized by extreme aridity and poor soil quality.

Tropical Rainforest

A biodiverse biome with high humidity and poor soil quality, featuring tall, broadleaf evergreen trees.

3 things that define aquatic ecosystem?

salt content, availability of sunlight, and concentration of dissolved nutrients.