Pt 1 Flashcards
(19 cards)
Describe the significance of aquatic biomes in the biosphere.
Aquatic biomes account for the largest part of the biosphere in terms of area and can contain either fresh or salt water.
Explain the coverage of oceans on Earth.
Oceans cover about 75% of Earth’s surface and have a significant impact on the biosphere.
What percentage of the Earth’s surface is covered by marine biomes?
Marine biomes cover approximately 75% of the Earth’s surface.
Describe the photic zone in aquatic biomes.
The photic zone is the area in aquatic biomes where light penetrates sufficiently for photosynthesis to occur.
Explain the aphotic zone in aquatic environments.
The aphotic zone is the region in aquatic biomes where very little light can penetrate, making photosynthesis impossible.
Define thermocline and its significance in aquatic biomes.
The thermocline is a narrow stratum of rapid temperature change that separates a uniformly warm upper layer from colder deeper waters.
What is the benthic zone in aquatic biomes?
The benthic zone refers to the bottom of any aquatic biome, which contains detritus and dead organic matter.
How does vertical stratification affect aquatic biomes?
Vertical stratification in aquatic biomes creates distinct layers, each with different light availability, temperature, and biological communities.
Identify the main zones of vertical stratification in aquatic biomes.
The main zones include the photic zone, aphotic zone, thermocline, and benthic zone.
Discuss the role of detritus in the benthic zone.
Detritus in the benthic zone serves as a source of nutrients and energy for various organisms that inhabit the bottom of aquatic biomes.
Describe the characteristics of the littoral zone in freshwater biomes.
The littoral zone is shallow and located close to the shore, where sunlight penetrates, allowing for the growth of aquatic plants.
Explain the limnetic zone in freshwater ecosystems.
The limnetic zone refers to the open surface water of lakes, where light can support photosynthesis and is typically inhabited by plankton and fish.
Define the profundal zone in freshwater biomes.
The profundal zone consists of the deep, aphotic regions of lakes where sunlight does not reach, resulting in a lack of photosynthetic life.
How are lakes categorized based on nutrient richness?
Lakes can be categorized as oligotrophic, mesotrophic, or eutrophic based on their nutrient levels, which affect the types of plant and animal life they support.
Describe oligotrophic lakes and their characteristics.
Oligotrophic lakes are deep, nutrient-poor bodies of water that typically have low biological productivity and do not support much life.
Describe the characteristics of mesotrophic lakes.
Mesotrophic lakes have a moderate amount of nutrients and phytoplankton productivity.
Explain how oligotrophic lakes can transition to mesotrophic lakes.
Over long periods of time, oligotrophic lakes may become mesotrophic as runoff brings in nutrients.
Discuss the impact of pollution from fertilizers on aquatic ecosystems.
Pollution from fertilizers can cause explosions in algae population and lead to a decrease in oxygen content.
What are wetlands and estuaries?
Wetlands and estuaries are areas where freshwater and salt water meet.
