Chapter 3: Forest Biomes of the World Flashcards
(217 cards)
1
Q
What are the seven forest biomes?
A
- Boreal; 2. Temperate broad-leaved deciduous; 3. Temperate needle-leaved evergreen; 4. Temperate mixed; 5. Temperate broad-leaved evergreen; 6. Tropical broad-leaved evergreen; 7. Tropical broad-leaved deciduous
2
Q
This factor is the major control on climate at the global scale
A
Solar radiation
3
Q
Where on the globe is the amount of solar radiation greatest?
A
Equator
4
Q
What are the two causes for the variation in solar radiation that reaches Earth?
A
- The angle at which solar radiation strikes the earth’s surface 2. The length of the pathway that solar radiation must pass to reach the canopy
5
Q
Is seasonal temperature variation (within a similar latitudinal zone) greater for a continental or coastal location?
A
Continental
6
Q
For similar latitude and elevation, is the climate milder/more equitable in the Southern or Northern Hemisphere?
A
Southern Hemisphere
7
Q
This forest biome occurs only in the Northern Hemisphere
A
Boreal forest
8
Q
Where is the greatest single area of boreal forest?
A
Eurasia
9
Q
What is the Average Net Primary Production for Boreal forests?
A
4.2 tC ha-1 yr-1
10
Q
Are boreal forest soils nutrient-rich?
A
No
11
Q
What created the parent material for the relatively young soils of the boreal forest biome?
A
Retreating glaciers
12
Q
In the boreal forest biome, this can be less than one meter below the surface and restrict root zones and impede soil water drainage
A
Permafrost
13
Q
Is tree species diversity poor in boreal forests?
A
Yes
14
Q
What are two factors that cause low tree species diversity in boreal forests?
A
Harsh climate and recent retreat of glaciers
15
Q
These play a more important role in boreal forests that in any other forest biome
A
Bryophytes
16
Q
What are three bryophytes that are common in boreal forests?
A
Lichens, feathermoss, and sphagnum
17
Q
Do boreal forests have low leaf area index?
A
Yes
18
Q
What are two reasons why conifers have spiral canopies?
A
To shed snow and maximize light interception when the sun is low in the sky
19
Q
What are two reasons for the low leaf area index (LAI) of boreal forests?
A
Extremely short growing season and very nutrient poor soils
20
Q
What does ANPP stand for?
A
Aboveground net primary production
21
Q
What percent of the total aboveground biomass of boreal forests do bryophytes constitute?
A
Less than 1%
22
Q
In boreal forests, these insulate the soil, affecting the thermal regime, nutrient cycling and productivity
A
Bryophytes
23
Q
This is an important natural disturbance in boreal forests
A
Fire
24
Q
What three attributes of boreal forests are influenced by fire?
A
Species composition, nutrient availability, and forest productivity
25
Are boreal forests typically highly managed?
No
26
What are three reasons why boreal forests are one of the least managed forest biomes?
Low growth rates, extreme climate, and inaccessibility
27
What region has the most management of natural and plantation boreal forests?
Nordic countries (Denmark, Sweden, Finland, Norway)
28
These form a coarse classification system of aquatic/terrestrial ecosystems
Biomes
29
What are biomes typically based on?
Similarities in abiotic environment and native species
30
What three factors typically describe land biomes?
Geographic location, climate, and dominant plant life
31
What are three factors that describe biome flora?
Dominant life-form, leaf type, and plant spacing
32
What are three different types of dominant life-form that can describe biome flora?
Tree, shrub, grass
33
What are three different leaf types that can describe biome flora?
Broadleaf, needle, sclerophyll
34
What are two examples of types of plant spacing that can describe biome flora?
Forest and savanna
35
What are six factors that affect biome distribution?
Climatic, geologic, edaphic, biotic, historic, cyclic
36
What does edaphic refer to?
Soils
37
What are three ways climate can affect biome distribution?
Temperature, precipitation, humidity
38
What are two geologic effects on biome distribution?
Bedrock and topography
39
What are two edaphic effects on biome distribution?
Nutrients and pH
40
What are two biotic effects on biome distribution?
Competition and disease
41
What are two historic effects on biome distribution?
Catastrophes and faunal bridges
42
What are two cyclic effects on biome distribution?
El nino and fires
43
What is the dominant factor that affects biome distribution?
Climate
44
What are three ways that climate can affect flora?
Resource availability, environmental conditions, and soil formation
45
What are 4 examples of resources whose availability effects flora?
Water, light, nutrients, CO2
46
What are 4 examples of environmental condition effects on flora?
Temperature, precipitation, humidity, pH
47
What are six variables whose long-term trends make up a location's climate?
Temperature; precipitation; atmospheric pressure; humidity; wind; atmospheric particles (particulates)
48
What are three factors that influence climate on Earth?
Distribution of solar energy; interaction of two fluid systems (atmosphere and oceans); effects of continents/land surfaces
49
What is the main factor that influences climate?
Solar energy distribution
50
What are 4 factors that make solar energy variable over the Earth's surface?
Latitudinal effects; Planet orbit/rotation/tilt; Atmospheric effects; Surface features
51
52
Is seasonal variation more pronounced away from the Equator?
Yes
53
How would Earth's axis have to be oriented relative to the orbital plane for the sun to be 90 degrees overhead at noon on the equator all year?
Perpendicular to the orbital plane
54
If Earth's axis was perpendicular to the orbital plane, would day and night be equal everywhere all year long?
Yes
55
If Earth's axis was perpendicular to the orbital plane, would there be seasons?
No
56
How much is the Earth tilted away from perpendicular?
23.5 degrees
57
What does this tilt drive?
The seasons
58
What are the five lines of latitude that track the Earth-Sun relationship?
Arctic Circle; Tropic of Cancer; Equator; Tropic of Capricorn; Antarctic Circle
59
What latitude is the Arctic Circle?
66.5 N
60
What latitude is the Antarctic Circle?
66.5 S
61
What latitude is the Tropic of Capricorn?
23.5 S
62
What latitude is the Tropic of Cancer?
23.5 N
63
During the Spring and Autumn Equinox, at what latitude is the Sun vertical?
Equator
64
During the Summer Solstice, at what latitude is the Sun vertical?
23.5 N (Tropic of Cancer)
65
During the Winter Solstice, at what latitude is the Sun vertical?
23.5 S (Tropic of Capricorn)
66
In the U.S., what happens to surface temperatures with latitude increase?
Decline
67
What moderates surface temperatures in the U.S.?
Coasts
68
Where is the highest seasonal variation in North America?
Heart of the continent
69
What drives atmospheric circulation?
Uneven heating
70
What are three influences that atmospheric circulation has on climate?
Distribution of thermal energy; Zonation of precipitation; Source of surface winds
71
Uneven heating causes these to form in the atmosphere
Counter-rotating convection cells
72
What characterizes air and surface conditions at the equator and at the 60 degree latitudes?
Rising moist air and wet surface conditions
73
What characterizes air and surface conditions at the poles and 30 degree latitudes?
Descending dry air and dry surface conditions
74
Do bands of equatorial rain move north-south with the seasons?
Yes
75
In these latitudes, it is wet in all seasons
Equator and 60 degree latitudes
76
In these latitudes, it is dry in all seasons
Poles and 30 latitudes
77
In these zones, rainfall is seasonal
Transitional zones
78
What drives oceanic circulation?
Wind causing surface water to move
79
What are gyres?
Large circulating ocean currents caused by wind
80
Where do gyres turn clockwise?
Northern Hemisphere
81
Where do gyres turn anticlockwise?
Southern Hemisphere
82
Where do gyres move warm water?
To poles
83
Where do gyres move cold water?
To Equator
84
Which sides of continents are warmer and wetter?
Eastern sides
85
What are three things that oceanic circulation creates?
Evaporation, clouds, and rains
86
Does cold air hold less water than warm air?
Yes
87
Which sides of continents are cooler and drier?
Western sides
88
In the U.S., this is a line running north-south and is the extent of eastern rainfall
Dry line
89
These can block rainfall, leaving a rain shadow, and also create clouds
Mountains
90
This funnels water into streams
Topography
91
These are ecosystems dominated by trees and woody vegetation
Forests
92
How much land area do forests occupy globally?
33%
93
How much leaf area do forests possess?
65%
94
What percentage of carbon present in all living things do forests contain?
70%
95
What percentage of terrestrial biodiversity do forests contain?
90%
96
Who created a system of forest classification in 1993?
Melillo
97
What three factors are forests classified by?
Climate, physiognomy, and leaf habit
98
What are three examples of climate forest classification?
Tropical, temperate, boreal
99
What is physiognomy describing?
Outward appearance of forest
100
What are three examples of forest classification by physiognomy?
Needleleaf, broadleaf, mixed
101
What are two examples of forest classification by leaf habit?
Evergreen and deciduous
102
What are the seven forest types that Melillo described?
Boreal; Temperate broadleaf deciduous; Temperate needleleaf evergreen; Temperate mixed; Temperate broadleaf evergreen; Tropical broadleaf evergreen; Tropical broadleaf deciduous
103
What are three regions where boreal forest is found?
Northern Eurasia, Canada, Alaska
104
What borders boreal forest to the north?
Tundra
105
What is boreal forest climate like?
Long frigid winters and lack of water in warm months
106
How many frost-free days can there be in summer in boreal forests?
<50
107
Are boreal forest soils typically old?
No
108
Are boreal forest soils typically nutrient poor?
Yes
109
In boreal forests, these trees acidify the soil
Conifers
110
In boreal forests, these can be deep and accumulate faster than they can decompose
Peat accumulations
111
What is peat composed of?
Partially decomposed plant material
112
What is boreal forest parent material usually made of?
Glacial till
113
In boreal forests, this restricts drainage and roots
Permafrost
114
This forest biome has the lowest species diversity
Boreal forest
115
How many species are found in boreal forests in North America?
9
116
This type of tree is better adapted for boreal life
Conifer
117
What are 3 reasons why conifers are better adapted to boreal life?
Surface area to volume ratio; Less water loss; Shape helps snow to fall off
118
What are 5 examples of boreal forest species?
Larch, spruce, fir, birch, aspen
119
What are two types of plants that live on the boreal forest floor?
Ericaceous shrubs and mosses
120
What does ericaceous mean?
Acid-loving
121
Boreal forests have this due to a short growing season
Low leaf area index
122
Leaf area index is an indicator of this
Productivity
123
Conifer shape helps them with these two functions
Intercepting low light and shedding snow
124
What is the Annual Net Plant Productivity of boreal forests?
4.2 tC ha-1 yr-1
125
Mosses do this to the soil
Insulate
126
This is important disturbance in boreal forests
Fire
127
What are two reasons why boreal forests are not as managed as others?
Geographic location and climate
128
Do boreal forests recover slowly after logging?
Yes
129
Are there many boreal forest plantations?
No
130
In what regions are temperate broadleaf deciduous forests located?
Eastern North America, Europe, Western China
131
What latitudes are temperate broadleaf deciduous forests located?
Between 30 and 50 degrees N
132
What are 3 characteristics of temperate broadleaf deciduous forest climates in their northern range?
Below 0 C temperatures for several months; Warm springs; Adequate rain
133
What are 3 characteristics of temperate broadleaf deciduous forest climates in their southern range?
Warmer; Wetter; Summer deficits can be severe
134
Are temperate broadleaf deciduous forest soils highly variable?
Yes
135
These temperate broadleaf deciduous forest soils are young and infertile
Mountain soils
136
These temperate broadleaf deciduous forest soils are more productive
Warm southern soils
137
In temperate broadleaf deciduous forests, these vary with soils, terrain, and succession
Tree species
138
What are 4 common tree species in temperate broadleaf deciduous forests?
Maple, hickory, oak, beech
139
Is tree species diversity higher in temperate broadleaf deciduous forests than in temperate needle forests?
Yes
140
Temperate broadleaf deciduous forest tree diversity is higher in these two regions than in Europe
North America and Asia
141
How long is the growing season in temperate broadleaf deciduous forests?
4-8 months
142
Is leaf area index in temperate broadleaf deciduous forests higher than in temperate needle evergreen forests?
Yes
143
What is the ANPP of temperate broadleaf deciduous forests?
6.6 tC ha-1 yr-1
144
In temperate broadleaf deciduous forests, these zones are very productive
Riparian zones
145
Is human impact on temperate broadleaf deciduous forests high?
Yes
146
What are two types of temperate broadleaf deciduous forest management?
Selection tree and short rotation plantations
147
What are two types of plantations used in temperate broadleaf deciduous forests?
Even and uneven age plantations
148
What are three popular temperate broadleaf deciduous plantation species?
Poplar, sweetgum, sycamore
149
What are three regions where temperate needleleaf evergreen forests are found?
North America, China, Europe
150
Temperate needleleaf evergreen forest plantations are being planted here
Southern Hemisphere
151
In what types of climates are temperate needleleaf evergreen forests found
Subtropical to boreal
152
What are 3 characteristics of climate in Pacific Northwest temperate needleleaf evergreen forests?
Cooler summers, warmer winters, summer deficits
153
Do temperate needleleaf evergreen forests grow on a variety of soil types?
Yes
154
What are two characteristics of temperate needleleaf evergreen forest soils?
Droughty and infertile
155
What are 5 common tree species in temperate needleleaf evergreen forests?
Fir, spruce, Douglas-fir, pine, hemlock
156
Which temperate needleleaf evergreen forests species are often commercially favored?
Pines
157
Do temperate needleleaf evergreen forests have highly variable forest type?
Yes
158
Is the leaf area index for temperate needleleaf evergreen forests higher than that of temperate broadleaf deciduous forests
No
159
Do some temperate needleleaf evergreen forests have the lowest LAIs in the world?
Yes
160
What is the range of ANPP for temperate needleleaf evergreen forests?
2-20 tC ha-1 yr-1
161
What is the average ANPP for temperate needleleaf evergreen forests?
6.6 tC
162
This is an important disturbance in temperate needleleaf evergreen forests
Fire
163
On what does temperate needleleaf evergreen forest management depend?
Productivity
164
Are temperate needleleaf evergreen forests among the most intensively managed?
Yes
165
This type of tree is planted extensively in temperate needleleaf evergreen forest plantations
Pine
166
Temperate needleleaf evergreen forests logging is controversial in this region
Pacific Northwest
167
This type of management is used increasingly in older temperate needleleaf evergreen forests
Uneven aged management
168
This forest biome combines broadleaf and needleleaf species
Temperate mixed forest
169
Where in the temperate range do temperate mixed forests occur?
Throughout temperate range
170
Temperate mixed forest occurrence reflects these three factors
Human land use, soils and succession
171
Do temperate mixed forests have a narrow range of species combinations?
No
172
Conifers dominate early succession in temperate mixed forests of these two U.S. regions
Southeast and Great Lakes
173
This biome includes sclerophyll forests and temperate rainforests
Temperate broadleaf evergreen forest
174
What are four regions where sclerophyll forests are found?
Mediterranean, Australia, Asia, U.S.
175
What are five regions where temperate rainforests are found?
Japan, Chile, New Zealand, Australia, U.S.
176
Are temperate broadleaf evergreen forest soils well-known?
No
177
Are temperate broadleaf evergreen forest soils nutrient poor?
Yes
178
What are two common sclerophyll forest species?
Eucalyptus and beech
179
What are two reasons why sclerophyllic foliage is thick and hard?
To deter herbivory and conserve water
180
What are two roles of toxins in temperate broadleaf evergreen leaves?
Slow decomposition and promote fires due to flammability
181
What is the ANPP of temperate broadleaf evergreen forests?
10.0 tC ha-1 yr-1
182
These temperate broadleaf evergreen forests are among the most productive in the world
Eucalyptus forests
183
Sclerophyll forests in this region have been exploited for millenia
Mediterranean
184
In this region, sclerophyll forests have been logged and planted with pine
Australia
185
In this country, sclerophyll forest logging has been halted
New Zealand
186
This is the largest forest biome in the world
Tropical broadleaf evergreen forest
187
What region has the largest portion of tropical broadleaf evergreen forest
Amazon basin
188
How much rain per year do tropical broadleaf evergreen forests receive?
>1750mm
189
Are tropical broadleaf evergreen forest soils highly weathered?
Yes
190
What is the most limiting element in tropical broadleaf evergreen forest soils?
Phosphorus
191
The best tropical broadleaf evergreen forest soils are converted to this
Farming
192
Do tropical broadleaf evergreen forests have the highest tree diversity?
Yes
193
How many tree species are in the Amazon region?
>2500
194
These in tropical broadleaf evergreen forests create vertical strata
195
Tropical broadleaf evergreen forest biomass varies with these three features
Topography, soils, age
195
In tropical broadleaf evergreen forests, canopy gaps add structure when these happen
Tree falls
196
Is tropical broadleaf evergreen forest productivity lower than temperate forest productivity?
No
197
What is the ANPP for tropical broadleaf evergreen forests?
8.2 tC ha-1 yr-1
198
These are important disturbances in tropical broadleaf evergreen forests
Cyclonic storms
199
Tropical broadleaf evergreen forest management is high impact due to this
High population growth
200
What are three contributors to tropical broadleaf evergreen forest losses
Logging, cropland, cattle
201
What two countries have the greatest losses of tropical broadleaf evergreen forest?
Brazil and Indonesia
202
What are 4 common species in tropical broadleaf evergreen forest plantations?
Eucalyptus, some softwoods, coconut, palm
203
This forest biome replaces tropical broadleaf evergreen forests where rain is highly seasonal
Tropical broadleaf deciduous forest
204
Tropical broadleaf deciduous forests often flank these sides of rainforests
North and south
205
Do tropical broadleaf deciduous forests have any seasonal variation of temperature?
Yes
206
In tropical broadleaf deciduous forests, this is highly seasonal
Rain
207
Are tropical broadleaf deciduous forest soils more fertile than rainforest soils?
Yes
208
Is tropical broadleaf deciduous forest diversity higher than that of rainforests?
No
209
In tropical broadleaf deciduous forests, these induce deciduous habit
Rain deficits
210
Are tropical broadleaf deciduous forest canopies shorter and more open than rainforest canopies?
Yes
211
Due to higher light penetration, tropical broadleaf deciduous forests have this
Dense shrub layer
212
What influences productivity in tropical broadleaf deciduous forests?
Wet season
213
Are there many remaining tropical broadleaf deciduous forests remaining?
No
214
Is tropical broadleaf deciduous forest deforestation rate higher than that of rainforest deforestation?
Yes
215
What are two common uses of tropical broadleaf deciduous forest land?
Ranching and crops
216
What are two effects of tropical broadleaf deciduous rainforest deforestation?
Erosion and soil degradation
