Biomes And Ecostystems

Question 1

What are the key vegetation-climate relationships in tropical rainforests?

Answer 1

• Vegetation: Dense, broadleaf evergreen trees; layers include canopy, understory, and forest floor.
• Climate: Hot and humid year-round; high precipitation (>2000 mm annually).
• Adaptations: Large leaves for efficient photosynthesis, drip tips for shedding water.

Question 2

What are the key vegetation-climate relationships in midlatitude mixed deciduous forests?

Answer 2

• Vegetation: Deciduous trees (e.g., oak, maple) mixed with some evergreen species.
• Climate: Moderate temperatures with distinct seasons; moderate precipitation.
• Adaptations: Trees shed leaves in winter to conserve water and energy.

Question 3

What are the key vegetation-climate relationships in BC coastal and interior needleleaf forests?

Answer 3

• Vegetation: Dominated by conifers (e.g., Douglas fir, spruce).
• Climate: Coastal areas are wet and mild; interior regions are colder with less precipitation.
• Adaptations: Needle-shaped leaves reduce water loss, thick bark protects against cold.

Question 4

What are the key vegetation-climate relationships in the boreal forest?

Answer 4

• Vegetation: Coniferous trees like spruce, pine, and fir; sparse understory.
• Climate: Cold, long winters with short, cool summers; moderate precipitation.
• Adaptations: Evergreen needles photosynthesize year-round, conical shapes shed snow.

Question 5

What are the key vegetation-climate relationships in the tundra?

Answer 5

• Vegetation: Low shrubs, mosses, lichens, and grasses; no trees.
• Climate: Extremely cold, with short growing seasons; low precipitation.
• Adaptations: Plants grow close to the ground to conserve heat and resist strong winds.

Question 6

What are the key vegetation-climate relationships in midlatitude grasslands?

Answer 6

• Vegetation: Grasses dominate, with few trees.
• Climate: Moderate precipitation (enough to support grasses but not forests); distinct seasons.
• Adaptations: Deep root systems for drought resistance and fire recovery.

Question 7

What are the key vegetation-climate relationships in tropical savannas?

Answer 7

• Vegetation: Grasses with scattered drought-resistant trees (e.g., acacias, baobabs).
• Climate: Warm temperatures year-round; distinct wet and dry seasons.
• Adaptations: Trees store water in trunks, and grasses grow rapidly during wet season.

Question 8

What are the key vegetation-climate relationships in subtropical deserts?

Answer 8

• Vegetation: Sparse, including cacti, succulents, and drought-tolerant shrubs.
• Climate: Hot and dry, with very low precipitation.
• Adaptations: Plants store water in leaves/stems, have spines to reduce water loss, and shallow roots absorb rain quickly.

Question 9

How does climate influence Net Primary Productivity (NPP) in ecosystems?

Answer 9

• High NPP: Found in warm, wet climates (e.g., tropical rainforests).
• Low NPP: Found in cold or arid climates (e.g., tundra, deserts).
• Link: Temperature and precipitation directly affect plant growth and energy storage.

Question 10

How are ecosystems shaped by trophic levels and biogeochemical cycles?

Answer 10

• Food Webs: Energy flows from producers (plants) to consumers (herbivores, carnivores) and decomposers.
• Cycles: Carbon and nitrogen cycles regulate nutrient availability, influenced by climate and vegetation.