APES Quizz

Terrestrial biome

A large community of plants and animals that occupies a distinct region, defined by its climate and dominant vegetation.

Aquatic biome

Water-based ecosystems characterized by the salinity, depth, and water flow.

Tundra

A cold, treeless biome with low-growing vegetation and permafrost.

Permafrost

Permanently frozen ground that limits plant growth in tundra biomes.

Boreal forest

A biome characterized by coniferous evergreen forests and cold temperatures.

Temperate rainforest

Coastal biome with moderate temperatures and high precipitation, dominated by evergreen trees.

Temperate seasonal forest

A biome with distinct seasons and deciduous trees that lose their leaves in winter.

Woodland/shrubland

A biome with hot, dry summers and mild, rainy winters, dominated by shrubs and grasses.

Temperate grassland/cold desert

A biome characterized by cold winters, hot summers, and sparse precipitation, with grasses dominating.

Tropical rainforest

A warm, wet biome with high biodiversity and poor soil nutrients.

Tropical seasonal forest/savanna

A biome with warm temperatures and seasonal rainfall, characterized by grasses and scattered trees.

Subtropical desert

A biome with hot temperatures and extremely low precipitation.

Littoral zone

The shallow area near the shore of a lake or pond, where sunlight allows plant growth.

Limnetic zone

The open water area of a lake where sunlight penetrates, supporting phytoplankton.

Phytoplankton

Microscopic algae that are primary producers in aquatic ecosystems.

Profundal zone

The deep, dark zone of a lake where sunlight does not reach, limiting plant growth.

Benthic zone

The bottom layer of a water body, which can be home to decomposers and bottom-dwelling organisms.

Oligotrophic

Lakes with low nutrient levels and low productivity.

Mesotrophic

Lakes with moderate nutrient levels and productivity.

Eutrophic

Lakes with high nutrient levels and high productivity.

Freshwater wetlands

Ecosystems where the soil is saturated with freshwater, supporting water-tolerant plants.

Salt marsh

Coastal wetlands flooded and drained by tides, rich in biodiversity.

Mangrove swamp

Coastal wetlands dominated by mangrove trees that tolerate saline water.

Intertidal zone

The area of the shore between high and low tide, home to species adapted to changing conditions.

Coral reef

Marine ecosystems built by coral polyps, known for high biodiversity.

Coral bleaching

The loss of symbiotic algae from corals, often due to stress like increased temperature.

Open ocean

The vast area of the ocean beyond the continental shelf, divided into the photic and aphotic zones.

Photic zone

The upper layer of the ocean where sunlight can penetrate and photosynthesis can occur.

Aphotic zone

The deeper part of the ocean where no sunlight penetrates, limiting life to organisms relying on chemosynthesis or organic material.

Chemosynthesis

The process by which some organisms convert chemical energy from hydrothermal vents into food.

Community ecology

The study of how species interact within a community and the effects these interactions have on species distribution and abundance.

Symbiotic relationship

A close, long-term interaction between two species, which can be mutualistic, parasitic, or commensal.

Competition

The struggle between organisms to survive in a habitat with limited resources.

Competitive exclusion principle

The principle stating that two species competing for the same limiting resource cannot coexist in the same niche indefinitely.

Resource partitioning

The division of resources in an ecosystem so that species with similar needs use them at different times, in different ways, or in different places.

Predation

An interaction in which one organism kills and eats another organism.

Parasitoid

An organism that lays eggs inside a host, and the developing larvae eventually kill the host.

Parasitism

A relationship where one organism benefits at the expense of another.

Pathogen

A disease-causing organism.

Herbivory

The act of animals eating plants.

Mutualism

A type of symbiotic relationship where both species benefit.

Commensalism

A relationship where one species benefits and the other is neither helped nor harmed.

Keystone species

A species that has a large impact on its ecosystem relative to its abundance.

Ecosystem engineer

A species that creates, modifies, or maintains physical habitat for other species (e.g., beavers).