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Factors Determining Terrestrial Biomes
Climate, latitude, altitude, soil type, and seasons that influence the ecosystem.
Climate
The average weather conditions of a region, primarily defined by temperature and precipitation.
Latitude
The distance north or south of the equator, affecting solar energy and temperature.
Altitude
The height above sea level; higher altitudes tend to have cooler temperatures.
Soil Type
The composition of soil that influences which types of vegetation can grow.
Seasons
Periodic changes that influence plant and animal adaptations.
Tundra
A cold, dry biome characterized by permafrost and vegetation like mosses and lichens.
Boreal Forest/Taiga
A biome with cold winters, moderate rain, primarily consisting of conifer trees.
Temperate Rainforest
A biome with mild temperatures and very wet conditions, home to conifers and ferns.
Temperate Seasonal Forest
A biome with moderate rain, cold winters, mainly consisting of deciduous trees.
Chaparral
A biome with hot, dry summers and vegetation mainly consisting of shrubs.
Temperate Grassland
A biome characterized by dry conditions and cold winters, primarily consisting of grasses.
Tropical Rainforest
A warm, wet biome year-round with high biodiversity, found in areas like the Amazon.
Savanna
A warm biome marked by seasonal rainfall and dominated by grasses and scattered trees.
Subtropical Desert
A hot and dry biome home to cacti and succulents, such as the Sahara.
Safe Drinking Water Act
A U.S. law that ensures the safety of drinking water by regulating water contaminants.
Salt Marsh
A coastal ecosystem characterized by nutrient-rich waters and grasses.
Estuaries
Transitional areas where fresh and saltwater mix, serving as fish nurseries.
Mangrove Swamps
Tropical ecosystems that protect coastlines, characterized by salt-tolerant trees.
Intertidal Zone
The coastal area between high and low tide, home to organisms like crabs and mussels.
Coral Reefs
Warm, shallow marine ecosystems known for their biodiversity.
Open Ocean
The vast, deep seawater area, home to species such as whales and tuna.
Lakes and Ponds
Freshwater bodies characterized by standing water containing fish and algae.
Inland Wetlands
Ecosystems such as swamps and marshes that provide flood control.
Rivers/Streams/Creeks
Flowing freshwater ecosystems inhabited by various wildlife.
Energy Flow in Ecosystems
Energy moves through trophic levels: producers, consumers, and decomposers.
Matter Cycling
The process through which water, carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus circulate in ecosystems.
Nitrogen Cycle
The biogeochemical cycle involving fixation, nitrification, assimilation, ammonification, and denitrification.
Water Cycle
The natural process of evaporation, condensation, precipitation, and runoff/infiltration.
Phosphorus Cycle
The cycle consisting of weathering, absorption by plants, decomposition, and sedimentation.
Carbon Cycle
The series of processes including photosynthesis, respiration, combustion, and storage.
Reservoirs/Sinks
Natural storage areas for elements: nitrogen in the atmosphere, carbon in oceans/forests, etc.
Gross Primary Productivity (GPP)
The total energy captured by primary producers in an ecosystem.
Net Primary Productivity (NPP)
Gross primary productivity minus the energy used by producers for respiration.
Primary Succession
The ecological process that begins on bare rock, such as after a volcanic eruption.
Secondary Succession
The recovery process that occurs after a disturbance while retaining soil.
Lichens and Mosses in Succession
The initial species involved in primary succession.
Ecological Tolerance
The range of environmental conditions within which a species can survive.
r-Strategists
Organisms that produce many offspring with little parental care.
K-Strategists
Organisms that produce few offspring and invest significant care into them.
Rule of 70
A formula to estimate population doubling time by dividing 70 by the growth rate.
Biotic Potential
The maximum reproductive capacity of a species under optimal conditions.
Carrying Capacity
The maximum population size that an environment can sustainably support.
Intrinsic Rate of Growth
The natural growth rate of a population in the absence of limiting factors.
Overshoot
When a population exceeds its carrying capacity.
Soil Horizons
Layers of soil including O, A, E, B, C, and R used to describe soil structure.
Soil Particles
Sand, silt, and clay, classified by size and drainage capability.
El NiƱo
A climate pattern characterized by warmer Pacific waters, affecting global weather.
La NiƱa
A climate pattern associated with cooler Pacific waters and opposite effects of El NiƱo.
Clear-Cutting
A timber harvesting method that quickly removes all trees, resulting in high environmental impact.
Drip Irrigation
The most efficient irrigation method that minimizes water loss.
Pesticide Treadmill
The cycle of increasing pesticide use as pests develop resistance.
Bioaccumulation
The buildup of toxins in an individual organism.
Biomagnification
The increase in toxin concentration at higher levels of the food chain.
Negative Environmental Impacts of CAFOs
Includes water contamination, air pollution, greenhouse gas emissions, and antibiotic resistance.
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