enviromental science

intraspecific competition

competition between members of the same species
ex. bears competing for salmon

interspecific competition

competition between members of different species
ex. humans and bears competing for salmon

terrestrial biomes

characterized by by a particular combination of average annual temp, annual precipitation and distinctive plant growth forms on land

aquatic biomes

an aquatic region characterized by a particular combination of salinity, depth, and water flow

Forest Biomes

Boreal (Taiga), Temperate deciduos (leaves fall in autumn), Rainforests (temperature or tropical)

Boreal Forest

-Coniferous trees
-Europe, Russia, North America
-Cold climate, plant growth is constipated more by temp than precip.
-Soil is nutrient poor due to slow decomposition

Temperate Rainforest

-Moderate mean annual temp & high precip.
-Supports growth of big trees
-not many areas
-British Columbia, Canada, Nanaimo Departure Bay
-Coastal biome typefied by moderate temp & high precip
-Ocean currents moderate temp. fluctuations and provides a source of water vapor

Temperate Seasonal Forest

-Moderate mean annual temperatures and moderate amounts of precipitation
-Support broadleaf deciduos trees such beech, maple, oak hickory
-Warm summers/cold winters
-Found in east US, Japan, China, Europe, Chile and eastern Austraila
-Soil contains generally more nutrients

Tropical Rainforest

-Warm and wet
-Little seasonal temp variation
-Highly productive with several distinctive layers of vegetation
-Average annual temp exceeds 20c
-Found in central & south america, africa, southeast asia & northeast asia
-Contains more biodiversity than any other terrestrial biome

Woodland/Shrubland

-Hot, dry sumers and mid, rainy winters
- mediterranean climate
-12 mo growing season
-Wildfires are common
-Plant growth is limited by prec. in summer + low temp in winter

Temperate Grassland/Cold Dessert

-Sometimes called 'steppe'
-Cold, harsh winters and hot dry summers
-Grasses and nonwoody flowering plants

Tropical Seasonal Forest/Savanna

-Warm Temperatures and distinct wet/dry seasons.
-Dense stands of shrubs and tree to relatively open landscapes dominated by grasses and scattered deciduous trees

Subtropical Desert

-Hot temp
-Dry conditions
-Sparse vegetations

Tundra

-Cold and treeless
-Low-growing vegetation
-Lichens, insects
-Temp usually below Oc

Freshwater Biomes

Streams & rivers, lakes & ponds, Freshwater wetlands

Marine Biomes

Salt marshland, Estuary, Coral reef, Open ocean

Streams & Rivers

-Flowing Fresh water that may orginate from underground springs or as a runoff from rain or melting snow
-Streams are typically narrow and carry small amount of water

Lakes & Ponds

-Contain standing water, at least is too deep
-Lakes are larger than ponds
-Lakes are classified by their productivity
-Primary Productivity: Photosynthetic

Lakes: Horizontal Zones (Littoral Zone)

The shallow zone of soil and water in lakes and ponds where most algae and emergent plants grow.

Lakes: Horizontal Zones (Limnetic Zone)

A zone of open water in lakes and ponds
->algae(phytoplankton): Photosynthetic limnetic organisms

Lakes: Oligotrophic(productivity)

Low level productivity (good)

Lakes: Mesotrophic(productivity)

Moderate level productivity (average)

Lakes: Eutrophic(productivity)

High level productivity(bad)

Lakes: photic

Gets enough light for plant growth

Lakes: Aphotic(profundal)

Insufficient light for plant growth

Lakes: Benthic Zone

Muddy bottom of lake, pond, or ocean

Freshwater Wetlands

-An aquatic biome that is submerged or saturated by water for at least part of the year, but shallow enough to support emergent vegetation
-One of the most productive and biodiversity biomes on the Earth
-Biological and physical filter for excess nutrients
-Common names: marsh, bog, and swamp

Open Ocean

-Deep ocean water, located away from shoreline where sunlight can no longer reach the bottom of the ocean
-Different Zones: Interial, Photic, Aphotic

Open Ocean: Interial Zone

Zone that is covered by water during high tide, but exposed during low tide

Open Ocean: Photic Zone

The upper layer of ocean water in the ocean that receives enough sunlight for photosynthesis

Open Ocean: Aphotic Zone

The deeper layer of ocean water that lacks sufficient sunlight for photosynthesis

Open Ocean: Photosynthesis

Over 50% of photosynthesis is done by marine algae
-Most photosynthesis is marine algae
-Produce most O2
-Consumes most CO2

Open Ocean: Chemosynthesis

Bacteria in the ocean to generate energy using methane and hydrogen sulfide.
-Aphotic tectonic plate vents
-Bottom of the ocean

Phytoplankton

Plants that float

Zooplankton

Animals that float
-> floating guys eaten by fishes and then by bigger fishes

Coral Reef

-The most diverse marine biome on Earth, found in warm, shallow waters beyond shoreline
-Are normally found in areas that are relatively poor in nutrients and food
-"Ocean Oasis"

Coral Bleaching

A phenomenon in which algae inside corals die, causing the corals to turn white.

Estuary

-Is a partially enclosed coastal body of blackish water
-One or more rivers or streams flowing
-There is a free connection to the open sea
-Form a transition zone between river environments

Salt Marshland

-A marsh containing nonwoody emergent vegetation found along the coast in temperate climates
-One of the most productive biomes in the world
-Many animals reproduce and spend the early part of their lives in marshes