Ecology: Biomes, Atmospheric Circulation, and Aquatic Systems (VOCAB)

A set of vocabulary-style flashcards covering Hadley cells, ITCZ, rain shadows, aquatic lake zones, freshwater wetlands, estuaries, coastal and open ocean biomes, major terrestrial biomes, permafrost, convergent evolution, and climate diagrams.

Hadley cells

Two large-scale atmospheric circulation cells between the equator and 30° N/S; warm air rises at the equator and cools as it sinks at 30° latitude, driving trade winds and rainfall patterns.

Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ)

The area where the two Hadley cells converge, causing heavy rainfall near the equator.

Rain shadow

A region of dry conditions on the leeward side of a mountain range, created when humid winds drop precipitation on the windward side.

Lotic

Aquatic biome characterized by flowing water, such as rivers and streams.

Riparian zone

A band of terrestrial vegetation along rivers and streams influenced by seasonal flooding and elevated water tables.

Ponds and lakes

Freshwater bodies with standing water; zonation includes littoral (shoreline), limnetic (open water), and profundal (deep) areas.

Benthic zone

The bottom substrate of aquatic environments where benthic organisms live.

Littoral zone

Shallow nearshore area of lakes with rooted vegetation.

Limnetic zone

Open-water zone of a lake where sunlight supports photosynthesis away from shore.

Profundal zone

Deep-water zone in a lake with little to no sunlight.

Freshwater wetlands

Aquatic biomes with standing water or saturated soils for part of the year, including swamps, marshes, and bogs.

Estuaries

Areas where freshwater rivers mix with seawater, creating brackish conditions and high productivity.

Salt marsh

A coastal, temperate-zone biome with nonwoody emergent vegetation adapted to saline conditions.

Mangrove swamp

Coastal biome of tropical/subtropical regions with salt-tolerant mangrove trees whose roots are often submerged.

Intertidal zone

Coastal zone between high and low tides, regularly alternately submerged and exposed.

Coral reef

A marine biome in warm, shallow waters with high biodiversity and coral polyps; typically around 20°C year-round.

Open ocean

The vast marine realm away from shore and reefs; covers the largest portion of Earth's surface.

Tropical rainforest

Warm, rainy biome with multilayered vegetation and the highest biodiversity on Earth.

Tropical seasonal forest / savanna

Warm biome with pronounced wet and dry seasons; dominated by deciduous trees and grasses; fires/grazing influence structure.

Subtropical desert

Hot temperatures, scarce rainfall, long growing seasons, and sparse vegetation.

Woodland/shrubland

Biome with hot, dry summers and mild, wet winters; drought-tolerant grasses and shrubs (Mediterranean climate).

Temperate grassland / cold desert

Biome with hot, dry summers and cold winters; dominated by grasses and drought-adapted shrubs.

Temperate rainforest

Biome with mild temperatures and abundant precipitation; dominated by evergreen forests.

Temperate seasonal forest

Biome with moderate temperatures and precipitation; dominated by deciduous trees.

Boreal forest (Taiga)

Densely packed evergreen needleleaf trees; short growing season, severe winters; acidic, low-fertility soils; slow decomposition.

Permafrost

Permanently frozen soil layer; melting due to warming can alter ecosystems and release CO2 and methane.

Convergent evolution

Unrelated species evolve similar growth forms or traits due to similar selective pressures in similar climates.

Biome

Geographic region with communities of organisms adapted to similar environmental conditions and growth forms.

Climate diagram

Graph plotting the average monthly temperature and precipitation of a location to interpret climate and growing seasons.