Biomes, Rivers, Oceans, and Climate - Flashcards

A comprehensive set of question-and-answer flashcards covering rivers and wetlands, tundra biome, temperate rainforest, oceans and sea features, mangroves, estuaries, deserts, tropical dry forests, temperate grasslands and savannas, and tropical rainforests.

Where are rivers and streams located?

They are found all around the world.

What percent of the world’s water is freshwater?

About 3%: roughly 69% in glaciers, 30% underground, and less than 1% in rivers and waterways.

What are the general functions of rivers and streams?

They carry water, transport nutrients, provide habitats, serve as runoff drains, support hydroelectric power, and function as permanent (rivers) or temporary (streams) systems.

Mississippi River: what are the key characteristics noted?

751? Not specified exactly in the notes, but described as very humid with waterfalls and a tall profile (listed as 799 ft up in the notes).

Nile River: what are the noted characteristics?

Hot and dry, 8858 ft above sea level.

Eel River (California): what are its features?

Elevated at 6000–8000 ft, rain/snow in winter, no rain in summer, located in forest.

How did the Tsenacommacah (Elizabeth River) interact with rivers?

They cultivated land for thousands of years and maintained sustainable practices.

What anthropogenic issues affect rivers?

Pollution from deforestation, fertilizers, chemical factories, and elevated nutrients; invasive species introducing diseases; water waste.

What solutions exist for river issues?

Water conservation, wastewater treatment, reducing waste, removing invasive species, and obeying laws.

What are the two main types of tundra?

Arctic tundra (permafrost, no trees, wetter, short growing season) and alpine tundra (rare permafrost, higher elevation, has trees).

What is the climate of the tundra biome?

Rain and fog in summer; snow the rest of the year; temperatures range from –40°C to –18°C.

Which plants live in the tundra?

Spruce, fir, pine, yellow poppy, saxifrage, barberry; some species exhibit heliotropism (face the sun).

Which animals reside in the tundra?

Ptarmigans, snowy owls, Arctic foxes, polar bears.

Which indigenous groups live in the tundra?

Aleut, Lapps, Sami, Inuit.

What is notable about Inuit goods in the tundra context?

Inuit must import expensive goods.

How do seasons affect the tundra?

Summer is hotter and wetter; winter is cold and dry.

What animals are polar-specific and where do they live?

Polar bears live in the Arctic; penguins live in the Antarctic.

Where are temperate rainforests found?

Coastal regions, especially in North America and Japan.

What are the key characteristics of temperate rainforests?

Mild wet climate, strong winds, foggy with high humidity, little seasonal variance (wet winters, drier summers).

What plants and animals are common in temperate rainforests?

Epiphytes, shrubs, ferns, mosses; black bears, elk/deer, beavers, salmon, trout.

Which indigenous groups lived in temperate rainforests?

People of British Columbia, southeast Alaska, and Japan.

What anthropogenic issues affect temperate rainforests?

Deforestation, habitat loss, mining, urbanization, and rising temperatures.

What solutions are proposed for temperate rainforests?

Protected areas and tree replanting.

What is the climate description for temperate rainforests?

Constant temperatures, dry winters, heavy summer rains.

What fraction of Earth's water is in oceans?

About 71% of Earth’s water is in oceans.

What are the five major oceans?

Pacific, Atlantic, Indian, Southern, and Arctic.

What are key features of the Pacific Ocean?

Between Asia and North America; depth about 36,201 ft; temperatures 28–86°F; whales and dolphins; kelp and muskgrass.

What are key features of the Atlantic Ocean?

Between the Americas and Africa; depth about 28,232 ft; saltiest; sharks and turtles; phytoplankton and red algae.

What are key features of the Indian Ocean?

Between Africa, Asia, and Australia; depth about 23,920 ft; temperatures 72–82°F; mantis shrimp and manta rays; mangroves and eelgrass.

What are key features of the Southern Ocean?

Surrounds Antarctica; depth about 23,740 ft; temperatures 28–80°F; penguins and crocodiles; microscopic plankton.

What are key features of the Arctic Ocean?

Surrounds the North Pole; depth about 17,881 ft; beluga whales and walruses; phytoplankton.

How do indigenous peoples use oceans?

For food, water, cultural practices, trade, and travel.

What are sea mounts and trenches?

Sea mounts are underwater volcanic mountains; trenches are deep depressions (e.g., Mariana Trench >7 miles deep).

What human impacts affect oceans?

Pollution (plastic, toxins), deep-sea mining, destruction of habitats.

What are some solutions for oceans?

Recycling, eco-friendly packaging, beach cleanups, reducing toxic chemicals.

Where are mangrove forests located?

Tropics/subtropics, between 25°N and 25°S.

What is the climate like for mangroves?

Warm, humid, with temperatures 68–95°F and 1000–3000 mm of rain per year.

What types of mangroves exist?

Red (deepest in water), White (touched only by high tide), Black (shoreline, not submerged).

Which species live in mangroves?

Horseshoe crabs, snook, roseate spoonbill, Bengal tigers, mangrove crabs, proboscis monkeys.

Which indigenous group lived in mangrove areas?

Calusa, who relied on fish and shellfish, built mounds, killed by European colonizers.

What anthropogenic threats affect mangroves?

Coastal development, aquaculture, overexploitation, water degradation, dams.

What are mangrove conservation solutions?

Passing protective laws, reducing aquaculture spread, stopping coastal destruction.

How do mangroves reproduce?

By releasing seeds into currents that root in sediment.

What are estuaries and where are they located?

Transitional areas where fresh and salt water mix; along coastlines; cover about 3% of Earth.

What animals are found in estuaries?

Fish, shellfish, sea otters, marsh crabs, birds, reptiles.

What plants are common in estuaries?

Seagrass, salt marsh vegetation, and mangroves.

What is the climate like in estuaries?

Mild to moderate year-round temperatures; 72–75 inches of rain; summers hotter and wetter.

What are key examples of estuaries?

Tampa Bay (largest in Florida), Chesapeake Bay (largest in the U.S.).

What are human impacts on estuaries?

Pollution (litter, stormwater), overfishing, destruction.

What are estuary solutions?

Proper waste treatment, stormwater management, avoiding runoff.

Which indigenous groups lived near estuaries?

Tillamook, Chumash, and others relying on water for food, medicine, and identity.

How much of Earth’s land is desert?

About 1/5 of Earth’s land.

What is the climate of deserts?

Very arid, little rainfall, extreme temperature variation, strong winds.

Name notable desert adaptations: Fennec fox

Large ears; nocturnal.

Name notable desert adaptations: Kangaroo rat

Survives without drinking water.

Name notable desert adaptations: Saharan silver ant

Tolerates up to 128°F.

Name notable desert adaptations: Camel

Stores water in humps.

Name notable desert adaptations: Sidewinder snake

Sideways movement to move across hot sand.

Name notable desert adaptations: Roadrunner

Fast runner; insect eater.

Which indigenous groups live in deserts?

Mojave, Native Americans in the Grand Canyon area, and others.

What are human impacts on deserts?

Water scarcity, off-road vehicle damage to soil, mining.

What are solutions for deserts?

Farming reforms, reforestation, drip irrigation.

Where are tropical dry forests located?

South America and Australia, often bordering deserts.

What is the climate like in tropical dry forests?

Temps 20–30°C; a 6-month dry season (Dec–May).

What animals live in tropical dry forests?

Bush dog, frill-necked lizard, brown snake, koala.

What plants grow in tropical dry forests?

Epiphytes, mosses, lichens, ceiba tree.

Which indigenous peoples live in tropical dry forests?

Manjui, Maká.

What anthropogenic problems affect tropical dry forests?

Deforestation, carbon loss, biodiversity decline.

What solutions are proposed for tropical dry forests?

Conservation areas and reforestation.

Where are temperate grasslands located?

Great Plains (US/Canada), Pampas (Argentina/Uruguay), Mongolian steppes.

What is the climate like in temperate grasslands and savannas?

Hot summers (70–80°F), seasonal rainfall, strong winds, fire-prone.

What animals live in temperate grasslands and savannas?

Antelopes, bison, zebras, elephants, giraffes, leopards.

What plants grow in temperate grasslands and savannas?

Acacia, baobab, palm, jackalberry tree.

Which indigenous groups lived in grasslands?

Maasai (Africa), Palawa (Australia), Native Americans in the Great Plains.

What are human impacts on grasslands?

Overgrazing, soil nutrient depletion, urban development.

What are solutions for grasslands?

Rotational grazing, stock control, limiting urbanization.

Where are tropical rainforests found?

Near the equator, in tropical regions.

What is the climate like in tropical rainforests?

Hot, humid; temperatures 67–95°F; rainfall up to 394 inches/year; daily rain.

What animals live in tropical rainforests?

Mountain gorillas, jaguars, capybaras, hundreds of species.

What plants are common in tropical rainforests?

Orchids, rubber trees, vines.

Which indigenous groups live in tropical rainforests?

Yanomami (Amazon) practicing slash-and-burn and living off wild game.

What anthropogenic problems affect tropical rainforests?

Deforestation for farming, mining, habitat loss.

What solutions are proposed for tropical rainforests?

Conservation areas and reforestation.