L20 Biomes & Climate

Question 1

define weather

Answer 1

atmospheric conditions over short time periods within small geographic areas

Question 2

define climate

Answer 2

atmosphere conditions over long time periods within large geographic areas

Question 3

list the influences of earth’s climate

Answer 3

sun, atmosphere, oceans, topography

Question 4

explain the influence of solar radiation on earth’s climate

Answer 4

• prevents darkness and freezing
• main control is the angle hits earth
• seasonality
• temperature variation leads to species distribution

Question 5

explain the influence of the atmosphere on earth’s climate

Answer 5

• provides insulation
• maintains moderate temperature
• air currents (prevailing winds)

Question 6

explain the influence of oceans on earth’s climate

Answer 6

• stores and transports heat and moisture (especially to higher latitudes)
• carries more than air
• cycling of water determines regional climates

Question 7

explain the influence of topography on earth’s climate

Answer 7

• physical land surface differences affect local climate
• temperature drops with increase in variation

Question 8

what are biomes

Answer 8

Broad geographic areas with similar climates have similar communities of species

Question 9

what are the types of biomes, how many are in each type?

Answer 9

terrestrial (10 major) and aquatic (2 minor)

Question 10

how does climate affect terrestrial biomes

Answer 10

determines vegetation distribution

Question 11

what is a terrestrial biome

Answer 11

Involve assemblages of similar communities, distinguished by the dominant plant type and vegetation structure

Question 12

Climate is described by
(1) mean annual _____________
(2) mean annual _____________

Answer 12

precipitation; temperature

Question 13

what is an aquatic biome

Answer 13

living and non-living entities of water bodies, and are defined by salinity levels

Question 14

describe freshwater (lakes, rivers) in aquatic biomes

Answer 14

• salt concentration of less than 1%
• linked to terrestrial biomes through which they pass

Question 15

describe saltwater (oceans, estuaries) in aquatic biomes

Answer 15

• salt concentration ~3%
• cover about 75% of Earth’s surface
• have an enormous impact on the biosphere

Question 16

what are the other abiotic factors defining aquatic biomes

Answer 16

light penetration, nutrient levels, oxygen
availability and climate

Question 17

define productivity

Answer 17

rate of generation in biomass for ecosystems (units of mass per unit surface (or volume) per unit time)

Question 18

define primary productivity

Answer 18

refers to the rate of generation of biomass by photoautotrophs (through photosynthesis)

Question 19

what can limit primary productivity

Answer 19

light (aquatic) and water (terrestrial) availability

Question 20

what factor can limit productivity in all ecosystems

Answer 20

nutrient availability

Question 21

define nutrient

Answer 21

elements and compounds that are required for survival consumed by organisms

Question 22

define macronutrients

Answer 22

nutrients required in relative large amounts (carbon, nitrogen, phosphorus)

Question 23

define micronutrients

Answer 23

nutrients needed in smaller amounts

Question 24

what does Liebig’s Law of the Minimum state

Answer 24

For every population there will be one limiting resource which determines the carrying capacity of the ecosystem

Question 25

why are the rates of primary productivity high near continents

Answer 25

runoff of nitrogen and phosphorus from the continents supplies abundant nutrients to the ocean

Question 26

what is the latitudinal diversity gradient

Answer 26

species diversity peaking near the equator and declining towards the poles

Question 27

what global patterns are defined by biomes

Answer 27

species diversity/distribution, generation of biomass, resource availability, temperature, humidity