Lec 4: Terrestrial Biomes - BIOL 208

Vocabulary flashcards covering terrestrial biomes, soil formation, weathering processes, climate diagrams, and biome classification from Lecture 04.

Terrestrial Biome

A major division of the terrestrial environment with a similar climate, distinguished primarily by its predominant vegetation.

Soil

A complex mixture of organic and non-living inorganic material upon which most terrestrial life depends.

Weathering

The slow breakdown of bedrock (parent material) into smaller and smaller fragments to produce soil particles such as sand, silt, and clay.

Mechanical Weathering

The physical breakdown of parent material by the combined action of temperature, water, wind, and plant growth (roots) through the soil.

Chemical Weathering

The alteration of minerals in rocks through chemical reactions such as solution and hydrolysis.

Solution (Chemical Weathering)

A chemical weathering process in which soluble minerals dissolve in water, such as the breakdown of limestone into $Ca$ and $HCO_3$.

Hydrolysis (Chemical Weathering)

A chemical weathering process in which water reacts with minerals to form new compounds, such as clay and soluble salts.

Climate Diagram

A graphic depiction (also known as a Walter-Lieth diagram) displaying absolute and relative information about average temperature and precipitation at a specific locality.

Whittaker Diagram

displays major biomes as a function of mean annual precipitation (MAP) and mean annual temperature (MAT)
shows wide variation of climate biomes & MAP + MAT range

Based on the Whittaker Diagram, what are 2 examples of how climate change can push boundaries and change the amount of precipitation in biomes?

tropic savanna can turn into tropical dry forest, temperate grassland can turn into temperate forest

Based on the Whittaker Diagram, what is the different between hot and cold deserts?

Hot deserts are influenced by Hadly cells, located around 30 degrees lat
Cold deserts are influence by rain shadow effect, located outside 30 degree lat

Tropical Rain Forest

A highly diverse, biomass-rich biome characterized by high mean annual temperature, low seasonality, and very high annual precipitation, dominated by evergreen forest vegetation, vines, and epiphytes.

Desert

A biome characterized by very low mean annual precipitation, hot or cold mean annual temperatures, moderate to strong temperature seasonality, and sparse, short-stature, mostly treeless vegetation.

Temperate Grassland

A biome characterized by low mean annual temperatures, strong seasonality (warm summers, cold winters), low to moderate precipitation, very fertile soils, and herbaceous vegetation dominated by grasses.

Temperate Forest

A biome characterized by moderate mean annual temperature, moderate seasonality (warm summers, mild winters), high precipitation, very fertile soils, and forest vegetation (deciduous, broadleaf, or coniferous).

Boreal Forest
mean annual precipitation:
soil fertility:
growing season:
diversity:
vegetation types:
seasonality in temp:

very low
low
low
limited to may - sep
conifer forests, extensive wetland/peatland vegetation (muskegs)

strong seasonality (mild summers, very cold winters) high temp variation

Tundra
mean annual precipitation:
soil fertility:
growing season:
diversity:
vegetation types:
seasonality in temp:

very low
low
limited to june- sep
low shrub and grass vegetation, permafrost (frozen ground), tree-less
strong seasonality (cool summers, cold winters)

Canadian Ecozones

15 large subdivided biomes can be divivde dinto ecoregions & ecodistricts