Physical Environment Factors Influencing Natural Vegetation and Wildlife

50 practice flashcards reviewing Chapter 3 on the influence of physical environment (landform, drainage, soil, climate) on natural vegetation and wildlife.

What bird species native to the tropical swamps of Eastern Africa reaches an average height of $4\text{ feet}$ and a wingspan of $7\text{ feet}$?

Shoebill

What four main physical environmental factors influence the diversity of natural vegetation and wildlife?

Landform, drainage, soil, and climate

How is landform defined in physical geography?

It refers to the diversity of features and elevation of a land surface measured from sea level.

How is soil defined in physical geography?

It refers to the topmost layer of the earth's surface produced from organic and inorganic materials.

How is drainage defined in physical geography?

It refers to the flow pattern features of rivers and tributaries and the quantity of water that irrigates a landform region.

How is climate defined in physical geography?

It refers to the combination of elements like temperature, rainfall, wind, air pressure, cloud conditions, humidity, and sunlight over a long period in a specific area.

What are the three main types of landforms discussed in the text?

Highlands, lowlands, and coastal areas

Which natural forest type covers the lowlands of Malaysia and the Amazon basin in Brazil?

Tropical Rainforest

What are three tree species found in the lowland Tropical Rainforests of Malaysia?

Meranti, jelutong, and cengal (or merbau, seraya)

What are three tree species found in the Amazon lowland Tropical Rainforest?

Wimba, Brazilian mahogany, and lapuna (or ficus, rubber tree)

Which forest type covers the lowlands of Thailand, Laos, Myanmar, Philippines, India, and Bangladesh?

Tropical Monsoon Forest

Which forest type covers the lowland region around the Great Lakes - St. Lawrence in Canada?

Coniferous Forest

What are three examples of major lowland regions of the world mentioned in the text?

West Siberian Plain, Manchurian Plain, and Murray Basin (or Ganges-Brahmaputra Basin, Congo Basin)

At what elevation above sea level is an area categorized as a highland?

Exceeding $180\text{ meters}$ above sea level

At what altitude in highland regions do plant characteristics significantly change to stunted, short, and dwarf species?

Above $1200\text{ meters}$ above sea level

What are three plant species found in the highland vegetation of the Crocker Range?

Rhododendron buxifolium, pitcher plants, and wild ginger (or moss, lichen, ferns, orchids)

What are three wildlife species native to the Crocker Range highlands?

Mountain ground squirrel of Borneo, Summit rat, and Whitehead's trogon (or Kinabalu tree frog, sun bear, leopard cat, binturong)

What are three plant species found in the Himalayan highlands?

Barberry, Himalayan pine, and juniper (or moss, lichen, birch, cedar)

What are three wildlife species native to the Himalayan highlands?

Himalayan serow, snow leopard, and yak (or Eurasian brown bear, Asiatic brown bear, rhesus monkey, Eurasian kingfisher)

What landform features comprise coastal areas?

Islands, sandy beaches, muddy shores, and saltwater swamps

What are three locations of Beach Forest in Malaysia?

Rumbia Island, Tioman Island, and Redang Island

What are three locations of Beach Forest in Thailand?

Phra Ae Beach, Koh Samui, and Phi Phi Island

What are two Beach Forest locations in Australia listed in the text?

Whitehaven Beach and Wineglass Bay

What are two Beach Forest locations in the United States specified in the text?

Coast Guard Beach and Hanauma Bay

What defines a well-drained area?

An area that does not retain standing water, typically found on undulating terrain, hill slopes, and lowlands.

Which four natural forest types flourish in well-drained, fertile areas?

Tropical Rainforest, Tropical Monsoon Forest, Coniferous Forest, and Mediterranean Forest

What are four wildlife species that inhabit well-drained landforms?

Deer, muntjac (kijang), moose, and elephant (or rhinoceros, tiger)

What defines a poorly-drained area?

A lowland area that is constantly waterlogged or covered with standing water.

What are three plant species capable of surviving in waterlogged, poorly-drained areas?

Mangrove trees, nypa palm, and screwpine

What are four wildlife species synonymous with poorly-drained, waterlogged areas?

Monitor lizard, crocodile, otter, and shoebill bird (or snake)

What are three locations of Swamp Forests in Malaysia listed in the text?

Bera Lake, Rajang Delta, and Meludam (or Lahad Datu Bay, Merudu Bay, Kuala Gula)

How is organic material in soil formed?

From the decomposition process of plant residues and animal remains.

What is Chernozem soil and where is it located?

It is black soil found in temperate grassland regions experiencing a Steppe climate.

Why do grasses in Steppe regions with Chernozem soil have short roots?

Because the soil freezes during winter.

What are three wildlife species found on Chernozem soil in Steppe regions?

Coyote, bobcat, and badger (or Saiga antelope)

What are the main characteristics of Permafrost soil in Tundra forest areas?

It is frozen, cold, infertile soil that remains frozen year-round due to extreme cold.

What are three wildlife species adapted to Permafrost soil in Tundra regions?

Polar bear, caribou, and Arctic fox (or Arctic hare, lemming)

What does the term Aridisols soil mean?

Dry and barren soil found in Hot Desert regions.

How do plants adapt to survive in Aridisols soil in hot deserts?

They develop long roots to absorb water deep underground.

What are the characteristics of Latosol soil found in Tropical Rainforests?

It has various textures (sandy, clay, or moist) and is red or yellow in color.

What are the characteristics of Podzol soil in Coniferous Forest areas?

It is thin, acidic, and frozen underneath.

What is Terra Rossa soil and what forest type does it support?

It is a mixture of clay and sand with a red or reddish-brown color that supports Mediterranean Forest.

What is the annual rainfall amount in the Hot Desert climate of the Arabian Desert?

Less than $250\text{ mm}$

What is the average daytime temperature range in the Arabian Desert during a Hot Desert climate?

Between $32^\circ\text{C}$ and $36^\circ\text{C}$

What wind conditions cause the Arabian Desert to remain hot and dry throughout the year?

Dry Easterly Winds blowing from land that carry no rain.

What is the annual rainfall range in a Tropical Monsoon Climate?

Between $1000\text{ mm}$ and $2000\text{ mm}$

What is the duration and temperature range of winter in a Siberian Climate?

It lasts $6$ to $8\text{ months}$ with temperatures between $-17^\circ\text{C}$ and $-5^\circ\text{C}$.

What is the annual temperature range in a Siberian Climate region?

Between $30^\circ\text{C}$ and $50^\circ\text{C}$

Which regions experience a Laurentian Climate according to the text?

Eastern Canada, Northeastern USA, Northern China and Manchuria, North Korea, Northern Japan, and Patagonia in South America.

What is the annual temperature range and annual rainfall amount in a Laurentian Climate?

Annual temperature range is $20^\circ\text{C}$ to $30^\circ\text{C}$ and annual rainfall is $500\text{ mm}$ to $1000\text{ mm}$.