Chapter 4.2 Flashcards
(18 cards)
Define biome
Large geographic region with specific conditions and specific organisms that are adapted to those conditions
What biomes are in terrestrial ecosystems?
Any that aren’t covered by water:
- Taiga biome (Boreal forest biome)
- Grassland biome
What makes a Taiga biome?
- dominated by conifers (needle leaved trees)
- big amounts of snow
- by the mountains
Why do conifers trees thrive so much in taiga biome?
- Pyramid shape allows less snow to stay on them
- thin needle leaves have less SA for loss of water
- Wax covers them preventing water loss and frost damage
Define canopy
Upper layer of vegetation in a forest
Define permafrost
permanently frozen soil
Define muskeg
soil above the permafrost that is swampy or boggy in summer formed since water cannot drain off the permafrost.
Describe deciduous forest ecosystem.
- between of grassland and Taiga biomes
- trees need less water
- has many insects
Define understorey
below the canopy layer; usually shrubs & smaller trees
Why don’t trees grow in grasslands?
Not enough percipitation
Why is soil quality poor in the muskeg ecosystem and rich in grasslands?
- Soil is frozen and decomposition takes time in muskeg ecosystems
- grasslands have rich soil because decomposition happens in rapid speeds
Define littoral zone
Area from shore of lake to the point there is no plant growth in the lake’s bottom.
- Most productive part of a lake
Define limnetic zone
Area of open lake/pond where there is enough light for photosynthesis
Define plankton
autotrophic & heterotrophic microorganisms found in the limnetic zone
How does plankton survive?
The heterotrophic ones (invertebrate animals) feed on the autotrophic ones.
Define profundal zone
region of a lake beneath the limnetic zone, where no light reaches for photosynthesis
What is the food in the profundal zone?
Decay from dead animals and plants
What can survive in profundal zone?
Animals that can tolerate small amounts of oxygen because there is no photosynthesis to create O2
