Lecture 3: Land Ecosystems and Ecological Succession

Question 1

• The __ is the part of the Earth that supports life.
• Spread around this are __ ; land-based ecosystems with unique biotic and abiotic factors.

Answer 1

• biosphere
• biomes

Question 2

Nonliving conditions that influence the type of biome found in a geographic area

Answer 2

Abiotic Factors

Question 3

The two most significant abiotic
factors in biomes are __ and __ which are influenced by: __, __, __, __

Answer 3

• temperature and precipitation
  ○ Latitude
  ○ Altitude
  ○ Prevailing winds
  ○ Nearby mountains

Question 4

the distance from the equator, measured in degrees north or south.

Answer 4

Latitude

Question 5

Day length is __ near the equator, then becomes __ towards the poles.

Answer 5

• highly consistent
• more seasonal

Question 6

As latitude increases, __ and __ tends to decrease due to the __.

Answer 6

• temperature
• primary productivity
• hanging sun angle

Question 7

the elevation above sea level.

Answer 7

altitude

Question 8

As altitude increases, average temperature and primary productivity __

Answer 8

decrease

Question 9

Hot air at the equator rises, moves across the
atmosphere, cools, then sinks at about __, creating __

Answer 9

• 30°N or S
• prevailing winds

Question 10

Prevailing wind: From the tropics southwest or northwest towards the equator are __
From the subtropics west towards the midlatitudes.

Answer 10

• Trade winds
• Westerlies

Question 11

a moving system of deep ocean currents that circulate warmth across the globe.

Answer 11

ocean conveyor

Question 12

Biomes located near bodies of water have __.
○ __ from the water fuels storm systems.

Answer 12

• greater precipitation levels
• Evaporation

Question 13

a periodic warming and cooling of the central/eastern Pacific Ocean caused by shifts in trade winds.

Answer 13

El-Niño-Southern Oscillation (ENSO) cycle

Question 14

• During a normal year, the warmest waters gather in the __, fueling rainfall throughout __.
• During an El Niño year, warm waters shift to the coast of __, fueling more rainfall in the __.

Answer 14

• western Pacific
• southeast Asia
• South America
• Western U.S

Question 15

• a decrease in precipitation on the side of a mountain facing away from prevailing winds.
  ○ __: Faces winds and receives more precipitation.
  ○ __: Reduced precipitation.

Answer 15

rainshadow effect
- Windward slope
- Leeward slope

Question 16

The distribution of biomes is the result of

Answer 16

• latitude
• altitude
• prevailing winds
• ocean currents
• landforms

Question 17

__ are combination line/bar graphs that show trends in temperature and precipitation over a typical year in a biome.
Average monthly __ : Bar graph
○ Average monthly __: Line graph

Answer 17

• climatographs
• precipitation
• temperature

Question 18

Climatographs tell you:

Answer 18

○ If temperatures are seasonal or consistent.
○ If precipitation is seasonal or consistent.
○ If the climate is below freezing for part of the year.

Question 19

Climatographs can infer:

Answer 19

○ Latitude and geography of the ecosystem.
○ Northern or southern hemisphere.
○ What type of ecosystem is present.

Question 20

Low precipitation, high temperatures.
Lowest net primary productivity of all
ecosystems

Answer 20

Desert

Question 21

Kinds of desert:

Answer 21

• subtropical desert
• rainshadow desert
• Coastal desert
• Temperate desert
• Polar desert

Question 22

Type of desert
- form between the tropics and temperate latitudes.
○ Convection cells deliver __ down from the atmosphere at __ and __.

Answer 22

• subtropical desert
• dry air
• 30°N and 30°S

Question 23

are found on the leeward side of mountain ranges.

Answer 23

rainshadow desert

Question 24

• the result of wind currents that run parallel to a coastline.
  ○ May bring __, but __.

Answer 24

• coastal desert
• fog
• no measurable precipitation

Question 25

A type of dessert that have seasonal temperature variations

Answer 25

Temperate deserts

Question 26

Type of desert consistently cold and dry

Answer 26

polar deserts

Question 27

Adaptations of desert organisms:

Answer 27

○ Ability to store water (e.g. succulents) or fat (e.g. camels). ○ Reduced growth rate and/or herd size. ○ Spikes and camouflage for defense. ○ Energy conservation (dormancy, cold-blooded) ○ Deep taproots

Question 28

What kind of biome Moderate or seasonal precipitation. Warm or seasonal temperatures. Moderate net primary productivity.

Answer 28

Grasslands

Question 29

Kinds of grasslands:

Answer 29

- savanna (tropical grasslands) - Prairies (temperate grasslands) - tundra (polar grasslands)

Question 30

Type of grassland located near the equator between tropical forests and subtropical deserts. ○ Temperature: __ ○ Precipitation: __

Answer 30

- savanna (tropical grasslands) - Consistent - Seasonal

Question 31

Type of grassland found in midlatitudes ○ Temperature: __ ○ Precipitation: __

Answer 31

- prairies (temperate grasslands) - Seasonal - Moderate

Question 32

Type of grassland have short growing seasons and permanently frozen soil called __. ○ Temperature: __ ○ Precipitation: __

Answer 32

- tundra (polar grasslands) - permafrost - Consistently cold - Moderate

Question 33

Adaptations of Grassland Plants: Prairie

Answer 33

- have deep and complex root structures that allow them to recover from drought, wildfire, cold winters, and grazing animals.

Question 34

Adaptations of Grassland Plants: Tundra

Answer 34

- low lying due to permafrost and mature rapidly in the short growing season.

Question 35

What kind of biome - Consistent moderate-to-high precipitation that supports tree growth. - Warm or seasonal temperatures. - High net primary productivity across multiple layers.

Answer 35

Forests

Question 36

- the uppermost layer in a forest. ○ Receives the most direct sunlight. Few plants reach this high.

Answer 36

emergent layer

Question 37

the highest layer that most trees reach, and contains most of the plant and animal life. ○ Highest net primary productivity area of any forest.

Answer 37

canopy

Question 38

the layer of vegetation below the canopy, where only 5% of the sunlight reaches.

Answer 38

understory

Question 39

the bottommost layer of the forest, and has a community centered around decomposition

Answer 39

forest floor

Question 40

characteristics of Broadleaf Trees

Answer 40

- Wide, flat leaves that maximize sun absorption. - Prone to moisture loss via transpiration. - Shed in winters or prolonged dry seasons.

Question 41

characteristics of Coniferous Trees

Answer 41

- Narrow, wax-coated leaves. - Absorb less sunlight but transpire less water. - Not shed during cold or dry seasons.

Question 42

receive high rainfall and are consistently warm. ○ Broadleaf trees only. ○ Highest net primary productivity of all land based ecosystems.

Answer 42

Tropical rainforests

Question 43

receive high rainfall but have seasonal temperature changes. ○ Broadleaf or coniferous trees

Answer 43

Temperate rainforests

Question 44

have moderate precipitation and significant seasonal temperature changes. ○ Mostly broadleaf trees that shed their leaves each winter.

Answer 44

Deciduous forests

Question 45

are the coldest and driest of all the forest biomes. ○ Coniferous trees only.

Answer 45

boreal forest (taiga)

Question 46

have highly seasonal rainfall that mostly falls during the winter months. ○ Small coniferous trees and shrubs.

Answer 46

Mediterranean forests (chaparral)

Question 47

Subcontinental land masses surrounded by water

Answer 47

island

Question 48

__ have many species that are __, or not found anywhere else in the world. ○ Evolved due to the __.

Answer 48

- Islands - endemic - founder effect

Question 49

Islands are __ due to the number of endemic species present.

Answer 49

biodiversity hotspots

Question 50

predicts that the species richness or biodiversity of an island depends on two factors: ○ As island size increases, species richness also increases. (Positive correlation) ○ As distance from the mainland increases, species richness decreases. (Inverse correlation)

Answer 50

theory of island biogeography

Question 51

- Many small or distant islands lack __ due to the limited food. - Increases risk of extinction from introduced species.

Answer 51

- apex predators

Question 52

Land converted for human development.

Answer 52

Urban Ecosystems

Question 53

Urban development causes __ by dividing natural areas up into smaller pieces.

Answer 53

habitat fragmentation

Question 54

Large buildings block wind flow, causing updrafts and downdrafts.

Answer 54

downdraught effect

Question 55

The __ causes cities to be warmer due to the absorptive properties of asphalt and pavement and reduced airflow due to blocked winds.

Answer 55

urban heat island effect

Question 56

connect fragmented ecosystems, restoring gene flow

Answer 56

land bridges

Question 57

Classifying organisms based on their niche

Answer 57

Specialists and Generalists

Question 58

characteristics of a generalist:

Answer 58

◍ Variety of food sources. ◍ Wide range of environmental conditions. ◍ Highly adaptable to many niches. ◍ Tend to be an invasive species. ◍ Dominate edge habitats and urban areas

Question 59

characteristics of specialists:

Answer 59

◍ Specific food source. ◍ Narrow range of environmental conditions. ◍ Highly adapted to one niche. ◍ Tend to be an endangered species. ◍ Dominate islands and interior habitats.

Question 60

Process of change in the abiotic and biotic factors of an ecosystem over time.

Answer 60

succession

Question 61

occurs when a new ecosystem is created – no prior life exists. ○ Example:

Answer 61

primary succession - Volcanic island

Question 62

◍ The first stage of primary succession requires __. ○ Wind and water ○ Acidic rainfall ○ Growth of lichens and mosses ◍ Lichens and mosses are __ because they are the first to appear in the new ecosystem.

Answer 62

- rock to be weathered into the soil - pioneer species