UNIT 7 ck12’s 6.8-6.9 Flashcards
(105 cards)
What are terrestrial biomes?
All the land areas on Earth where organisms live.
Terrestrial biomes are characterized by specific climatic conditions.
What primarily determines the distinguishing features of terrestrial biomes?
Climate.
Climate affects the types of vegetation and organisms found in each biome.
List three examples of terrestrial biomes.
- Tundras
- Temperate forests
- Grasslands
Other examples include chaparral, temperate and tropical deserts, and tropical forests.
What is the major factor that explains the differences between the desert and rainforest?
Abiotic factors and distance from the equator.
Abiotic factors include temperature, precipitation, and soil type.
What is climate?
Climate is the average weather in an area over a long period of time.
Weather refers to the conditions of the atmosphere from day to day.
How is climate generally described?
Climate is generally described in terms of temperature and moisture.
Temperature and moisture are key factors that characterize climate.
What are the major temperature zones based on latitude?
- Tropical
- Temperate
- Arctic
These zones reflect the variations in temperature as one moves from the equator to the poles.
What factors, besides latitude, can influence temperature?
- Proximity to oceans
- Altitude
Land near the ocean typically has different temperature patterns compared to land farther inland.
How does proximity to the ocean affect temperature?
Land near the ocean may have cooler summers and warmer winters than land farther inland.
Water gains and loses heat more slowly than land, influencing coastal temperatures.
How does temperature change with altitude?
Temperature falls from lower to higher altitudes.
This is why tropical zone mountain tops may be capped with snow.
How can climates be classified in terms of moisture?
Climates can be classified as arid (dry), semi-arid, humid (wet), or semi-humid.
This classification depends on the amount of precipitation and evaporation.
What factors influence the amount of moisture in a climate?
The amount of moisture depends on:
* Precipitation
* Evaporation
Precipitation increases moisture while evaporation decreases it.
What global pattern of precipitation is influenced by air mass movements?
There is a global belt of dry air masses and low precipitation at about 30° N and 30° S latitude.
This pattern reflects the distribution of moisture around the globe.
How does temperature influence precipitation?
Warm air can hold more moisture than cold air, leading to more rainfall in tropical areas.
This results in higher precipitation in warmer climates compared to colder ones.
What geographic features can influence precipitation levels?
Precipitation levels can be influenced by:
* Nearness to the ocean
* Mountain ranges
These features can affect local climate conditions significantly.
What happens to moist air from the ocean as it rises over a mountain range?
Moist air rises, cools, and its water vapor condenses, resulting in precipitation on the windward side.
This is a critical process in determining local weather patterns.
What is a ‘rain shadow’?
A ‘rain shadow’ is an area with little precipitation on the leeward side of a mountain range.
This occurs because the air is dry after losing moisture on the windward side.
What are the five basic needs of plants?
- Air
- Warmth
- Sunlight
- Water
- Nutrients
These needs are crucial for plant growth and productivity in terrestrial biomes.
What determines how well a plant’s needs are met in a location?
The growing season and soil quality, which are determined mainly by climate.
The growing season varies based on temperature and moisture availability.
Define the growing season.
The period of time each year when it is warm and wet enough for plants to grow.
It can last all year in hot, wet climates or just a few months in cooler or drier climates.
What type of soil do plants grow best in?
Soil that contains plenty of nutrients and organic matter.
Nutrients and organic matter are added to the soil through the decomposition of plant litter and dead organisms.
How does decomposition rate vary with climate?
Decomposition occurs too slowly in cold climates and too quickly in hot, wet climates.
This affects the accumulation of nutrients and organic matter in the soil.
In which type of climate is soil usually best for plant growth?
Temperate climates.
These climates typically provide a balanced environment for decomposition and nutrient accumulation.
How does climate influence biodiversity?
Climate determines plant growth, which influences the number and variety of other organisms in a terrestrial biome.
Biodiversity generally increases from the poles to the equator and is greater in more humid climates.