terrestrial biomes Flashcards
what is a biome?
grouping of ecosystems sharing a similar set of plant characteristics under a similar environmental regime
what are the controls of terrestrial biomes?
temperature, precipitation and seasonality
what are the favorable conditions for actual evapotranspiration?
warm and wet
what is competition in ecosystems and who are the best competitors?
ability to acquire resources compared to neighbors
-> trees are the best competitors (high growth rate, short leaf life, low seed production, high allocation to leaf construction)
what is stress in ecosystems and what kind of plant species are the best stress-tolerators?
any condition that resticts plant production (shortage of light, water, nutrients, low temperatures)
-> shrubs (evergreen, long-lived leaves, low growth rate)
what are ruderals and what type of plant species are best ruderals?
ruderals are species that can handle disturbances
- they usually allocate a lot of resources to seed production, annuals or short-lived perennials, high growth rate, short-lived leaves, short statured plants
- short uncertain lives so grow as much as possible in short time
- grasses are best ruderals
what is a Walter climate diagram?
diagram with precipitation and temperature per month
- illustrates seasonal periods of water deficit and abundance
- whenever precipitation line is over temperature line, there is growth
what are the characteristics of a temperate forest and their challenges?
- dominated by deciduous trees
- soil rich in organic material
- high seasonality
what are characteristics of boreal forest and their challenges?
- dominated by coniferous forests
- soil is acidic and mineral-poor
- short growing season
what are the characteristics of tundra and their challenges?
- soil full of organic content
- short growing season
- permafrost
- extreme cold
- poor drainage
- very windy
what is the vegetation like in the tundra?
- plants are mostly perennials
- plants closed to ground because it is warmer
- dark to hold in as much solar radiation as possible
- waxy coating
what are the characteristics of temperate grasslands and their challenges?
- moderate seasonality
- soil rich in organic matter and nutrients
- frequent fires, droughts, windy
what are the soil characteristics and challenges of the tropical rainforest?
- soil: low organic content
- challenges: bacteria and fungi, risk of flooding and erosion of soil and leaching of soil nutrients
what are the characteristics of rainforest vegetation?
- giant roots to stabilize trees
- brightly colored because of reliance on pollinators
- smooth bark to facilitate water from flowing off
