Terrestrial Biomes Flashcards
(159 cards)
1
Q
In tropical rainforests, this layer serves as a home for various plants, which sometimes causes a ground-level competition.
A
Forest floor
2
Q
Flora:
Some seeds (e.g., poison oak, yucca whipple, shrubs, toyon, chamise, trees, and cacti) are dormant during normal conditions, but may crack open during fire occurrences.
A
Chaparral
3
Q
It is the process of gathering individual animals into a group (herd), keeping the group together, and transporting the group from one location to another.
A
Herding
4
Q
What are the 2 classifications of tundra?
A
- Arctic tundra
- Alpine tundra
5
Q
Fauna:
harlequin, arctic foxes
Animals perform migration, hibernation, or torpor to survive.
A
Arctic tundra
6
Q
Fauna:
Some animals have flat-topped teeth and digestive systems especially adapted to feed on grass.
The colors of animals blend in with the plant life
Some animals have front legs and paws adapted to dig burrows to escape fires or predators.
Herding
A
Temperate grassland
7
Q
This type of tundra has no permafrost, is located at highly elevated areas, and is known for its consistent seasonal cycle.
A
Alpine tundra
8
Q
It is also known as the transitional biome.
A
Grassland
9
Q
It is a biome characterized by its large, rolling terrain of extensive grasses, flowers, and herbs rather than large shrubs or trees.
A
Grassland
10
Q
Temperate rainforest:
Over time, this layer tends to weaken, resulting in the detachment of the leaf from the tree.
A
Abscission layer
11
Q
It is a type of forest mostly dominated by deciduous trees
A
Temperate rainforest
12
Q
What are the shade-tolerant plants with no woody tissues?
A
Herbaceous plants
13
Q
What are the necessary properties for plants to survive in tundra biomes?
A
- anti-freezing chemical (e.g., cryoprotectants)
- specialized root system (shallow but wide root system)
- Transpiration limit
- Growing together
14
Q
This refers to the 24-hour appearance of darkness during winter
A
Polar night
15
Q
Climate:
mild winters; hot, dry summers
Mediterranean climate
Temperature:
winter: 10°C – 12°C
summer: can surpass 100°F
areas located in the mid-latitude: 18°C
Precipitation:
5 cm – 25 cm
Soil type:
dry, arid, thin, rocky, and nutrient-poor
limited accumulation of organic material
long-term formation of fertile soils
rich in iron oxides (cinnamon color)
little clay
A
Chaparral
16
Q
Soil type:
inceptisols and spodosols
soils may temporarily freeze
A
Alpine tundra
17
Q
Also present in the alpine tundra [and taiga], they are acid soils characterized by a subsurface accumulation of humus. They are rich in organic materials.
A
Spodosols
18
Q
Soil type:
nutrient-deficient
oxisol and utisol
subject to leaching and weathering (caused by the high precipitation)
A
Tropical rainforest
19
Q
Flora:
Plants have thick, fleshy leaves and stems for storing nutrients, and large root systems for tapping moisture
A
Coastal desert
20
Q
Flora:
Does the condition of the leaves of deciduous trees change based on the season?
A
Temperate rainforest
Yes
21
Q
What are the soil layers in the arctic tundra?
A
Active layer, permafrost, and ice wedge
22
Q
What are the 5 categories of terrestrial biomes?
A
- Forest
- Desert
- Tundra
- Grassland
- Scrub
23
Q
Why are evergreen trees suitable for the precipitation conditions in the Taiga?
A
Its upturned cone structure allows the heavy, solid precipitation form to slide on the leaves, mitigating twig breakage.
24
Q
It refers to the permanently frozen subsoil
A
Permafrost
25
In hot and dry deserts, _____ plants are perennial and are being pollinated by _____ moths.
Yucca
26
Explain the circulation pattern happening in the desert biome.
The descending dry air can absorb available moisture, which affects the formation of clouds.
27
It is a soil that allows water and air to seep (or rise), ensuring good drainage and aeration.
Porous soils
28
What are the 5 layers in the temperate rainforest?
1. Trees stratum
2. Sapling layer
3. Shrub layer (understory)
4. Herb
5. Ground zone
29
Fauna:
Coyotes are a common occupant of these deserts. They are **highly adaptable to harsh conditions**.
Birds and reptiles lay eggs that remain **dormant** until conditions are more bearable.
Coastal desert
30
This biome is known for its ***extreme cold and dryness***. It is mostly desolate because only a few organisms can adapt to its harsh conditions.
Tundra
31
Most are found along coastlines near large water bodies.
Coastal desert
32
These are the world's largest ecological communities, characterized by the adaptations of organisms.
Biomes
33
Climate:
summer, winter, fall, autumn
evenly distributed precipitation
Temperature:
10°C – 21°C (summer)
below 0°C (winter)
Precipitation:
75 cm – 150 cm
Temperate rainforest
34
This desert is located in the ***temperate zones of the Earth.***
Cold desert
35
What are the two types of temperate grassland?
1. Prairie (with tall grasses)
2. Steppe (with short grasses)
36
What can plants do when they have silvery or glossy leaves? In which desert are these plants dominant?
Its leaves can reflect more radiant energy. They are usually found in ***semi-arid deserts***.
37
What color does a soil containing oxisol and utisol reproduce? Why?
Soils rich in iron and aluminum oxide results to a reddish color.
38
What are the four layers in the tropical rainforest?
1. Emergent layer
2. Canopy layer
3. Understory
4. Forest floor
39
Differentiate scatter hoarding and larder hoarding.
Scatter hoarding - numerous locations
Larder hoarding - single, defended area
40
In tropical rainforests, this layer is shaded from the sun, inhabited by young trees and herbaceous plants.
Understory
41
Flora:
What leads to the production of the abscission layer?
Temperate rainforests
photoperiod and temperature change
42
How do savanna animals act according to seasons?
They reproduce during rainy seasons and migrate during dry seasons
43
Climate:
hot climate with dry and wet seasons
Temperature:
20°C – 30°C
Precipitation:
50.8 cm – 127 cm
high evaporation
Soil type:
porous
thin layer of humus
Tropical grassland or savanna
44
What is the temperature condition in the temperate zones of the Earth?
COLD DESERT
They are cooler than tropics but warmer than the polar regions.
45
Happening in tropical grasslands, this refers to the removal or loss of moisture. Hence, it becomes rampant during dry seasons.
Desiccation
46
Flora:
When wildfires occur, the root portions of grasses survive and sprout again.
The deep and massive root systems of grasses allow them to remain firmly rooted on the ground, preventing erosion and conserving more water.
Temperate grassland
47
What are the 3 types of forests?
1. Tropical rainforest
2. Temperate rainforest
3. Boreal forest or taiga
48
In hot and dry deserts, when does the evaporation rate become lower?
At night.
49
What is the percentage of the presence of permafrost in Alaska?
80%
50
These trees lose their leaves during fall and become dormant during winter to save energy.
Deciduous trees
51
Fauna:
Grazing animals and predators (e.g., giraffe, buffalo, and kangaroo)
rainy seasons: reproduce
dry seasons: migrate
Tropical grassland
52
In the arctic tundra, this layer is located on the surface, which freezes during winters but melts during warmer seasons.
Active layer
53
Soil type:
porous, moderate texture, and moderate salt content
Coastal desert
54
Soil type:
sandy and fine-textured to loose rock fragments, gravel, or sand
high salt concentration
UPPER BAJADA: coarse-textured, rocky, well-drained (similar to hot & dry)
LOWER BAJADA: sandy and fine-textured
no subsurface water
Semi-arid desert
55
This biome is also known as the scrub or the scrubland.
Chaparral
56
What are the 2 major divisions of grassland?
1. Tropical grassland or savanna
2. Temperate grassland
57
Considering the conditions in the arctic tundra, explain the relevant feature of arctic foxes.
They have a round, compact body to minimize their exposure to cold air, along with short legs, muzzle, and ears [which are compact] to conserve heat.
58
What are the usual characteristics of Taiga animals?
They have large feet, with fur between their toes, allowing them to move and remain on snow surfaces.
59
What does it mean when a plant is perennial?
They have long lifespans.
60
What is the largest terrestrial biome?
Taiga
61
This forest is known for its high biodiversity and primary productivity.
Tropical rainforest
62
Soil type:
rich in ***alfisols*** (moderately-leached soils)
high fertility (because of humus)
Temperate rainforest
63
It is also known as the boreal (northern) forest.
Taiga or boreal forest
64
Temperate rainforest, abscission layer:
Along with chlorophyll, what are the other pigments that affect the leaves' shift of color?
Carotene and ampicillin
65
Flora:
dominated by scotch pine
Fauna:
principal predators are snowshoe hare and lynx
Taiga or boreal forest
66
Soil type:
taiga conifer liter
in more humid areas: spodosols (subsurface accumulation of humus)
***both are highly acidic***
Taiga or boreal rainforest
67
Climate:
dry and wet
6 months hot, 6 months rainy
Temperature:
20°C – 34°C
Precipitation
125 cm – 660 cm (highest)
Tropical rainforest
68
How do squirrels adapt to the harsh conditions of the ***cold desert***?
They can add an extra layer of fat in their bodies to ***insulate*** themselves from the cold.
69
Flora:
short, dense, scrubby vegetation
drought-resistant plants
leaves are thick and waxy, hard and small, and made from flammable materials
Some plants naturally need fire to germinate, while others lessen their exposure to hot conditions through their features.
Chaparral
70
Differentiate inceptisols and spodosols.
Inceptisols are young soils with **minimal horizon development**, while spodosols are **acid soils** with subsurface **accumulations of humus, iron, and aluminum**
inceptisols: alpine tundra
spodosols: alpine tundra and taiga
71
Essential in the fauna of temperate grasslands, it is a ***digestive enzyme*** capable of degrading plant fiber cellulose into simple sugars
plant to complex sugar to simple sugar
Cellulase
72
Almost as similar to hot and dry deserts, though they do not get as hot during the day and as cool during the night.
Semi-arid desert
73
Temperate rainforest:
It is a specialized region of cells that develops at the base of a leaf, flower, or fruit.
Abscission layer
74
Evergreens (conifers) and deciduous trees are examples of...
scrubs
75
What is the etymology of tundra?
tunturia (Finnish), meaning ***treeless***
76
What biome is believed to be the most capable of supporting life forms [because of the presence of many trees]?
Forests
77
Adaptation of fauna:
What are the methods of storing food and in which season are these crucial?
1. Catching
2. Scatter Hoarding
3. Larder Hoarding
autumn
78
How does the amount of rainfall influence the height of grassland vegetation?
more rain = faster plant growth = higher productivity
79
Flora:
halophytes
silvery or glossy leaves
Semi-arid forest
80
Flora:
grasses and small trees (e.g., baobab trees)
long taproots, hydrophilic root system
succulent trunks
thick and strong barks (resists fires)
Tropical grassland or savanna
81
Climate:
long, cold winters with snowfall
short summers with little precipitation
Temperature:
winter: -2°C – 4°C
summer: 21°C – 26°C
Precipitation
15 cm – 26 cm (highest among the desert biomes)
Cold desert
82
What is the coldest type of forest?
Taiga or Boreal Forest
83
It is a type of forest classified as hot and moist, which can be found near the Earth's equator.
Tropical rainforest
84
Fauna:
Various insects and spiders, wolves, foxes, bears, coyotes, bobcats, mountain lions, eagles, rabbits, deer, skunks, squirrels, raccoons, moose, snakes, and hummingbirds are present in this biome. ***These animals can survive and adapt to seasonal changes.***
Temperate rainforest
85
Flora:
Most ***plants grow compactly*** and low to the ground to reduce exposure to harsh conditions, trap heat from the soil, and conserve moisture.
Most shed their leaves ***(deciduous trees)***, and have spiny leaves
Other characteristics include ***small, thick leaves with a waxy coating*** and ***darker-colored stems and leaves***.
Most plants are ***perennial***, which can help in the development of extensive root systems.
Cold desert
86
This biome covers around 20% – 25% of the land surface.
Desert
87
Climate:
long winter, short summer
Temperature:
a few degrees Celsius above freezing to -10°C
Precipitation
30 cm – 50 cm
usually in the form of snow and other solid forms of precipitation
Taiga or boreal rainforest
88
Fauna:
Animals stay inactive in protective hideaways during the hot day and come out to forage at dusk, dawn, or at night — the times when the desert is cooler.
Dominant animals are ***burrowers*** and ***kangaroo rats***.
Hot and dry desert
89
Present in chaparral, what is an example of a fire-induced plant? Their seeds require fire to germinate and can grow with little water when planted in hard, rocky soils.
Chamise plants
90
It is also known as the deciduous forest.
Temperate rainforest
91
What are the characteristics that can differentiate one biome to another?
1. Climate
2. Temperature
3. Precipitation
4. Soil type
5. Flora
6. Fauna
92
This type of desert is known for its high temperature during the day and low temperature at night.
Hot and dry desert
93
What are the main differences between a tropical grassland and a temperate grassland?
1. Tropical grasslands have shrubs and trees, while temperate grasslands do not have shrubs and trees.
2. Temperate grasslands are drier (less rainfall) than savannas.
94
This state of dormancy refers to the temporary suspension of the development of the embryo.
Embryotic diapause
95
What is the etymology of chaparral?
"chaparral" (Spanish), meaning place of evergreens scrub oak
96
What biome is known for the dominance of trees?
Forests
97
How can coyotes survive with minimal water intake?
1. by deriving most of their water from their prey
2. their kidneys can efficiently conserve water
98
In tropical rainforests, it is the layer that receives the least sunlight, receiving only 2% of it.
Forest floor
99
Explain the relationship between yucca flowers and yucca moths.
They have an obligate mutualistic relationship; yucca moths only pollinate yucca flowers.
100
What is the notable feature of jack rabbits?
Jack rabbits have large ears, beneficial for regulating their body temperature.
101
What type of plant is abundant in hot and dry deserts? Explain their relevant features.
Xerophytes
- long root systems
- small and succulent leaves [or spines instead]
- small and thick cuticles
102
Fauna:
yellow-bellied marmots (8-month hibernation)
pikas (hides under rocks)
Alpine tundra
103
Explain the concept of a transitional biome.
Its types are situated between a desert and a forest.
More precipitation than deserts, but less than forests.
With hot summers and cold winters (desert), as well as autumn and fall (forest).
104
This is the topmost layer (40 m) layer in the tropical rainforest, capturing most of the sunlight.
Emergent layer
105
Soil type:
heavy, relatively porous soil with a lot of silt and salt
good drainage to leach out most of the salt
Cold desert
106
The Mojave Desert in the USA, the Sahara in Africa, and the Sonoran Desert in North America are examples of...
Hot and dry desert
107
Present in the arctic tundra, it is a complex life form that is a symbiotic partnership of two separate organisms, ***a fungus and an alga***.
Lichen
108
Examples:
Alaska, Canada, Scandinavia, and Russia.
Arctic tundra
109
Why is the presence of large trees not possible in the arctic tundra?
Permafrost covers most of the underground in the arctic tundra, preventing the development of root systems.
110
Why is there only a thin layer of humus in tropical grasslands?
The high evaporation rates (hot climate) in this biome lead to the **rapid decomposition of organic materials**.
111
Its vegetation is primarily composed of cone-bearing needle-leaved or scale-leaved ***evergreen trees*** (polyporus trees).
Taiga or boreal forest
112
Climate:
summers are moderately long and dry; winters bring low concentrations of rainfall
Temperature:
summer: between 21°C and 27°C
at most 38°C; around 10°C at night
Precipitation:
2 cm – 4 cm
Semi-arid desert
113
Fauna:
As a defense mechanism, animals form burrows to ***avoid predation and desiccation***.
Tropical grassland or savanna
114
Climate:
cold/dry
long, cold winters; short, cool summers
Temperature:
winter: -34°C – -45°C
summer: 3°C – 12°C
Precipitation:
15 cm – 25 cm
Arctic tundra
115
Climate:
cold/dry
long winters; short, cool summers
Temperature:
average: 8.3°C
winter: at most -5.5°C
summer: 4.5°C – 15.5°C
Precipitation:
30 cm
Alpine tundra
116
Fauna:
**fossorial animals** like desert tortoises and lizards
Cold desert
117
This layer in the tropical rainforest is usually characterized by the broad leaves and branches, making it a suitable habitat for epiphytic plants.
Canopy layer
118
It is the largest and coldest type of forest.
Taiga or boreal forest
119
his type of forest feature a vast open space dominated by grass, where trees and shrubs are rare.
Temperate grassland
120
Droughts, wildfires, and grazing play a big role in the vegetation and diversity of plants within this biome.
Grassland
121
In cold deserts, what is the benefit of having dark-colored stems and leaves to plants?
They can boost sunlight absorption and retain warmth.
122
Fauna:
generally populated by insects
Tropical rainforest
123
What type of plant is salt-tolerant and can grow in soil of waters of high salinity?
Halophytes or halophytic plants
124
Its fauna has similar animal inhabitants as to hot and dry deserts
Semi-arid desert
125
What are the plant or plant-like organisms that grow on the surface of another plant?
Epiphytic plants or epiphytes
126
Some plants have modified adventitious roots that grow above the ground to provide strength or to ***absorb water from the air***.
Air roots or aerial roots
127
This refers to the 24-hour appearance of light during summer
Midnight sun
128
These animals are adapted to digging [and live primarily but not solely] underground. They are active in the ***early morning***.
| COLD DESERT
Fossorial animals
| COLD DESERT
129
Climate:
Hot summers, cold winters, with growing and dormant seasons
Temperature:
summer: 38°C
winter: as low as -40°C
Precipitation
50.8 cm – 88.9 cm
Soil type:
deep, dark, fertile loam soil
Temperate grassland
130
Fauna:
Animals molt worn-out fur, feathers, skin, or exoskeleton and replace them with new growth.
Cold desert
Shedding or molting
131
The Congo Basin Forest and Amazon Rainforest are examples of...
Tropical rainforest
132
Unlike deciduous trees, the leaves [or needles] of these trees are green, which can remain functional all throughout the year.
Evergreen trees or polyporus trees
133
Various terrains, including rock hills, flat plains, and mountain slopes, are present in this biome.
Chaparral
134
Flora:
bristlecone pines (perennial)
bear grasses (grow close to the ground)
tussock grasses and dwarfs
Alpine tundra
135
What is the general precipitation rate of deserts?
250 mm
136
This type of grassland covers much of Africa as well as large areas of Australia, South America, and India.
Tropical grassland or savanna
137
Climate:
moderately short winter; summer
Temperature:
winter: 5°C and below
summer: 13°C – 24°C
Precipitation:
13 cm
Coastal desert
138
What is the role of pheromones in the pollination process of yucca moths to yucca flowers?
Pheromones are being secreted to chemically signal the territorial marking of a specific yucca moth to a yucca flower.
139
Flora:
lichen
Low shrubs, sedges, reindeer mosses, liverworts, and grasses
Arctic tundra
140
This type of biome is typically located along the western coast and Mediterranean countries.
Chaparral
141
These places possess ***half*** of the world's tropical rainforest.
Central America and South America
142
This type of tundra encircles the North Pole.
Arctic tundra
143
Soil type:
Caliche hardpan refers to a hardened, often cemented layer of soil
Semi-arid desert
144
Some plants open their _______ at night when evaporation rates are lowest.
stomata
145
Fauna:
Animals are adapted to very hot climates, most of them coming from ***desert and grassland-characterized species***.
Chaparral
146
It is a type of desert that is more hospitable compared to the other types.
Coastal desert
147
Soil type:
coarse-textured, shallow, rocky, or gravely
good drainage, ***no subsurface water***
Hot and dry desert
148
Climate:
warm throughout the year
Temperature:
Hot-month average temperatures are 29°C – 35°C, with midday readings of 43°C – 46°C.
Precipitation:
1.5 cm
Hot and dry desert
149
Examples of flora in this desert are creosote bush, bur sage, white thorn, cat claw, mesquite, brittlebushes, lyceums, and jujube.
Semi-arid forest
150
Present in the alpine tundra [and taiga], they form in sandy materials under climates where a ***large amount of water infiltrates into the soil at least once a year***.
Spodosols
151
It is a dark, organic material that forms in the soil when plant and animal matter decays.
Humus
152
In general, animals in this biome are usually burrowers, nocturnal, fossorial, endotherms, migrators, or adaptable to different conditions.
Desert
153
This type of grassland features a vast open spaces of scattered small shrubs and trees.
Tropical grassland or savanna
154
These are woody, perennial plants, but shorter than trees. They are also abundant in chaparral, having multiple stems arising from the base rather than a single trunk.
Scrubs
155
It is a biome known for its limited rainfall and water supply. They are the driest because of the global air circulation patterns.
Desert
156
What are the main difference between arctic tundra and alpine tundra?
Arctic: with permafrost, North Pole, and can experience polar night and midnight sun
Alpine: no permafrost, highly elevated areas, consistent light cycle
157
What are the 4 classifications of deserts?
1. Hot and dry
2. Semi-arid
3. coastal
4. cold
158
Soil type:
permafrost and active layer
Arctic tundra
159
Present in the alpine tundra, they are freely draining soils with soil order characterized by having ***minimal horizon development***.
Inceptisols
