Term
| two adaptions that allow cottonwood trees to exist in dry areas |
|
Definition
1. have tap roots taht go down into water table, so have unlimited water they can pull up
2. broad leaves that flap in wind, so cools leaves through transpiration |
|
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Term
| Only North American Desert that has two rainy seasons a year |
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Definition
|
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Term
|
Definition
has a series of parallel mountain ranges, in between are mountain valleys. if you go eat-west, you go mountain, valley, mountain, etc.
Ex. mohave desert topography |
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Term
|
Definition
Introduced from Russia with flax seeds (look alike).
great dispersal mechanism by dropping off and rolling around, spread by contaminated seeds, railcars, and windblown pattern of seed dissemination
leaves are very spike, so cattle dont eat it, so becomes dominant
so its a pest |
|
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Term
| Which is larger: Mohave or Sonoran Desert? |
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Definition
|
|
Term
| Which is the most arid American Desert? |
|
Definition
|
|
Term
| Where and what was the record high temperature for the northern hemisphere |
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Definition
|
|
Term
| What is the lowest point in the US? |
|
Definition
| At Badwater in Death Valley-- 282 ft. below sea level |
|
|
Term
| What is desert pavement and how is it formed? |
|
Definition
Characteristic ground surface of Mohave desert and parts of great basin
It is produced by the combined effects of aridity, low vegetation cover, wind, and, erosive precipitation.
Fine dust and sand are blows or washed away. Only the coarse pebbles, gravel, and large cobbles are left behind.
wind comes through, blows silt away, and you are left with gravel and rubble
Ex. see it in the Mohave desert |
|
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Term
| Unique aspects of Creosote Bush |
|
Definition
occurs in hot deserts (dominant in Sonoran desert)
good at holding onto moisture
produces chemicals called turpes, create a natural smog on a hot day by interacing with sun and heat-yellow haze above bush
chemicals it produces-when it rains, it washes into soil and prevents seeds from germinating |
|
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Term
| Why is it advantageous for smoke trees to grow in dry washes? |
|
Definition
so that when there is heavy rain, a lot of water will come in sheet action across ground under the smoke tree bush. it has evolved to where the seeds will not germinate unless they have been tumbled and scraped by gravel when water comes through, so it may be years before seeds germinate. ensure that seed will produce a plant that has enough water to grow
called somke tree bc from a distance looks smoky |
|
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Term
| summarize symbiotic relationship between the Pronuba Moth and Joshua tree reproduction |
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Definition
yucca plants are pollinated by pronuba moths. they come in and roll up pollen into a ball from flower to flower. when satisfied with size of ball, migrate to ovary of another yucca and lay eggs. then it climbs to the top of the flower and rolls pollen into a ball and places it on top of stigma on flower.
moth has been assured yucca seed production, and a food supply for her offspring.seeds and moth larvae develop together, larvae feed on seeds.eventually, larvae bore out through ovary wall (seed capsule) and fall onto the ground, into the soil and remain there until emerge as adult moths to repeat the cycle. |
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Term
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Definition
| endangered. protected species of mohave and sonoran desert. if you picked one up, it would cost you 10,000 dollars. they forage mornings or late afternoons for palatable vegetation and retreat to burrows during the hottest parts of the day |
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Term
|
Definition
left over from ice age
indicator of and found in Mohave Desert in streams like Salt Creek
death valley was lake-so lots of fish, then dried up after ice age and hung around springs.
about an inch long
most endangered is in devil's hole, Nevada-devil's hole pup fish. because in las vegas-they are using lots of water because of development. |
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Term
|
Definition
occurs in Mohave desert
has two types of venom--one that attacks nervous system and you die from suffocation and the other attacks muscle system and breaks it down. very dangerous. |
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Term
|
Definition
occurs in mohave. reer legs are longer than their front. has long tail so they can jump high and swish tail in mid air and change direction-adaption for getting away from predators.
has ability to metabolize water from food they eat, so dont have to drink water
nocturnal |
|
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Term
|
Definition
| presence of borax proves that freshwater must have flooded into the area when glaciers melted at the end of the ice age, causing this lake, which leached minerals such as borax and deposited them. |
|
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Term
| What is the Sonoran Desert named after? |
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Definition
| The state of Sonora, Mexico |
|
|
Term
| how many rainfalls does the SONORAN desert have? |
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Definition
|
|
Term
| What is Ocotillo pollinated by? |
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Definition
|
|
Term
| what are Saguaro Cactus pollinated by? |
|
Definition
| BATS- because of big white flowers |
|
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Term
| Internal woody rods provide skeletal support for ... |
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Definition
|
|
Term
| Saguaro branch die after they are 40 ft. tall-T OR F |
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Definition
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|
Term
| Saguaros have what kind of tap roots? |
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Definition
|
|
Term
| How long do Saguaros live? |
|
Definition
|
|
Term
| In the Sonoran Desert, what cactus has curved spines and contains drinkable water? |
|
Definition
|
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Term
|
Definition
| a sonoran desert shrub that contains large amounts of oil used in the cosmetic industry |
|
|
Term
| what are the only species of poisonous lizards in the world? |
|
Definition
| THE JILA MONSTER AND THE MEXICAN BEARDED LIZARD |
|
|
Term
| what is the most diverse of the four North American Deserts? |
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Definition
|
|
Term
| The Palo Verde tree is the state tree of...? |
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Definition
|
|
Term
| name one of the dominant plants of the Chihuahuan Desert |
|
Definition
|
|
Term
| of the four southwest American deserts, which has the most cloud-free days each year? |
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Definition
|
|
Term
| What tall red-flowering desert plant is pollinated by hummingbirds |
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Definition
|
|
Term
| how do humminbirds locate ocotillo? |
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Definition
|
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Term
| TRUE OR FALSE- leaves of cacti are the main photosynthetic structures |
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Definition
| FALSE-- cactis are reduced to spines |
|
|
Term
| do all cacti have CAM photosynthetic pathways? |
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Definition
|
|
Term
| do cacti have photosynthetic stems? |
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Definition
|
|
Term
| what kind of root systems do cacti have? |
|
Definition
| WIDE SHALLOW ROOT SYSTEMS |
|
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Term
| TRUE OR FALSE-- cactus stems are fluted like an accordion to allow them to expand and take up water quickly |
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Definition
|
|
Term
| what is the dominant plant in the Great Basin Desert? |
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Definition
|
|
Term
| facts of the Mohave Desert: (9) |
|
Definition
smallest North American Desert
Hottest desert within the US
most arid american desert- precipitation is usually less than 5 inches annually
mostly in cali, but extends eastward to include southern nevada and extreme western Arizona
located in basin/Range area
lowest point in North America- badwater in death valley- 282 ft. below sea level
has Joshua trees at higher elevations
has the most cloud free days
elevations range between 2000 and 4000 ft. above sea level |
|
|
Term
| what are the dominant plants of the Chihuahuan desert? |
|
Definition
agave
yucca
creosote bush
ocotillo |
|
|
Term
| What can you say about White Sands national Monument? |
|
Definition
whitest place on earth- satellite sensors calibrate using their whiteness
NOT really sand-- calcium carbonate, gybsum, which makes drywall.
located in CHUHUAHUAN DESERT |
|
|
Term
| largest gybsum formation? |
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Definition
|
|
Term
| where was the first atomic bomb tested? |
|
Definition
|
|
Term
|
Definition
gets to be about 20 ft tall
bright red orange flowers
bright flowers attract hummingbirds for pollinated-attracted by the COLOR
looses leaves when it gets dry, then when it gets wet, they produce new leaves |
|
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Term
|
Definition
good indicators of the Chihuahuan Desert
referred to as century plants by natives
tale-- start growing, succulent leaves grow for about 25 years, then all the sudden the stalk grows fast and produces flowers that are pollinated by bats, then produce fruit, then dies
in big bed, put glow sticks on bats to track them and found they travel in squadrants
bats eat pollen for food, get all over fur, then go to next plant |
|
|
Term
| where the lowest point on the continent? |
|
Definition
| at Badwater in death valley in the Mohave desert-- 282 ft. below sea level |
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Term
|
Definition
in mohave desert.
arises in the San Bernadino mountains in the southern cali and flows NNW abotu 100 miles. it dies in an alkali flat.
flows to center of desert and dries out |
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Term
|
Definition
arises in the central Mohave basin and flows into death valley.
this area once experienced more precipitation than at present |
|
|
Term
| evolutionary importance of genus Atriplex? |
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Definition
it is a warm season plant and a cold season plant
genus that has C3 pathways and C4 pathways
C3 pathways are a form of photosynthesis that is well adapted for plants in hot habitats
C3 pathways are with plants in cool habitats
ex. four winged saltbush |
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|
Term
|
Definition
indicator of areas that could be high in uranium deposits
has high levels or selenium.
in the mustard family
poisonous |
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|
Term
|
Definition
big, docile, vegetarian/herbivore
lives in dark boulders in hot deserts, mainly Mohave-emerges each morning to sun on rocky perch
when danger threatens, it scurries into a rock crevice, inflates belly, and effectively wedges tightly within the rocky lair
fav food is creosote bush
indians ate is because it tasted good |
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|
Term
|
Definition
descendant of dinos
occurs in dry washes in Mohave desert and sonoran
gets to be about 2 ft. long
only comes out at hot time in day, in open flat areas- has high heat tolerance
seek permanent shelter in burrows |
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|
Term
|
Definition
lives in bases of Joshua tree in Mohave, maong yucca litter on desert floor.
black
has vertical pupils lacking eyelids, soft velvety skin, and large head scales
nocturnal |
|
|
Term
| Most endangered Pup fish? |
|
Definition
| Devil's hole pup fish- because las vegas is growing and using more water so their water level is going down |
|
|
Term
| Strategy of desert annual plants |
|
Definition
goes through whole life cycle in 3 or 4 weeks.
germinates, grows flowers, pollinated, ovary becomes fruit, fruit produces seeds, and dies.
germinates when chemical washes off, from rain, so seeds can last 20 or 30 years
ensures that they will live when times are good and hand around until next good time |
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|
Term
|
Definition
as lakes dry up, water become salty and you are just elft with salt
ex. devil's golf course-big chucnks of salt-salinization occured there |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
move in an S shape and sideways so only small part of skin touches hot sand
covers over eyes that protects eyes when they go under sand to get cool |
|
|
Term
| What forces shape topography of most deserts? |
|
Definition
WIND AND PRECIPITATION
wind picks up sand from soil and blows along rock and eventually smooths them
water can be alot when it comes, causes it to go in low parts into dry washes, have flash flood, can kill people. forms canyons and topography. fanning out of alluvial material |
|
|
Term
| why is the sonoran called the "arboreal desert"? |
|
Definition
| arboreal means tree. cactuses are tall and look like trees |
|
|
Term
| Why does Sonoran desert have the highest biodiveristy |
|
Definition
because it is the only of the four desert that gets 2 rainy seasons
hgih floral diversity due to unique precipitation patterns
has both summer and winter rain |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
symbol of the arizona uplands of Sonoran desert
massive, standing up t0 40 ft . tall
trunk consits of fluted photosynthetic tissue protected by a thick, waxy cutilce and spines which extend along the outer ridge of the plant
branches reach 15 to 20 ft. in height
stems are pleated, which allows cactus to expand tissues when weather is wet and contract during drought
have shallow roots, which form an efficient water absorbing mat at the base of the cactus just below soil surfacae
mature saguaro weigh five tons
have internal woody rods which provide skeletal support for fleshy tissue
grow very slowly
survive 150-200 years
has large white, night-blooimg flowrs each spring which are pollinated by birds, bats, or night-flying insects
by late summer, red fruits filled with seeds appear and birds and rodents eat them and disperese the seeds through digrestive tracts
change shape as they grow |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
|
|
Term
|
Definition
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| saguaro cacti have a tough time getting a start because in bright, hot sun. if under a nursery tree, it shades you until you are big enough to handle climate. cactus seeds end up under them, and the nursery tree shades and keeps it cool. then it dies, and cactus outlives the tree and grows larger. first 10-20 years are critical for the cacti |
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|
Term
|
Definition
major cactus of the southwest
have succulent, flattened stems with photosynthetic tissues
spines are modified leaves
arise in clusters from aerioles
spines range in size-help specialist identify them
moths find prickly pear and lay eggs and catapillar eats cactus. within 10 years, cactus problem under control.
found in all states in US
put in garden, got away and spread. exotic plants taking over. so introduced moth that eats cactus, so took it out. |
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|
Term
|
Definition
in potato fam
big white flowering plant
high in atropine, produces alkaloid which can kill you
hallucinogen-used in 60s-poisonous so people died from it
used by paleo indians for religious ceremonies
also called jimson weed |
|
|
Term
| mammals of Sonoran desert |
|
Definition
| kangaroo rat, kit fox, mountain lion, coyote, javelina, cougar, bobcat, ocelot |
|
|
Term
| Cactus Wren: nesting behavior |
|
Definition
produce sphyrical nests in cacti which orient their nests towards sun in beginning of season, which warms nest. but some orient it the wrong way, so their chicks arent very successful bc its too cold.
when weather pattern changes, the ones that orient their nests the wrong way survive
ex. of diversity of behavior patterns based on genetics that can allow popuations to survive |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
endangered species
indigenous to sonoran desert
trying to breed and reintroduce certain areas of sonoran
50 of them left |
|
|
Term
| Physical Characteristics of the Great basin desert |
|
Definition
high altitude- 5000 ft above sea level
completely controlled by rain shadow
basin/range province
biggest desert in NA
consits of over 100 bolsons
not many reptiles- too cold
not many cact
dominated by big sagebrush |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
river that was though to go from east to west to desert areas out to coast- NEVER EXISTED
exploration of the great basin desert was influenced by ignorance of great basin typogrphy
because early explorers took advantage of the numerous eastern river to move rapidly onto the continental interior, they assumed that one or more similar rivers would provide rapid access to the pacific and western interior.
they even named this "great western river" before it was discovered- buena ventura |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
since the buena ventura didnt exist, it was never found.
but pres. jefferson sent lewis and clark to try and find it.
they failed.
the only way much of this land could be explored was by overland access
closest model of buena ventura is columbia river |
|
|
Term
| the great basin was not always a desert. at the end of teh wisconsin glaciation, glacial meltwater formed two large intermountain lakes: |
|
Definition
| LAKE BONNEVILLE AND LAKE LAHONTAN |
|
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Term
|
Definition
result of the end of the ice age.
the big lake that covered most of northwestern UTah, now it is dry and has salt flats-very harsh. the GREAT LAKE is the survivng remnant. |
|
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Term
|
Definition
result of the end of the icea age
in western nevada
not it is just PYRAMID LAKE |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
largest inland hypersaline lake in NA
averages about 70 miles long and 30 miles wide, greatest depth at 40 feet- BIG LAKE.
size and depth vary, affected by rates of evaporation and precipitation (wet and dry periods)
very high salt content, no fish, has brine shrimp and flies
pelican breed in it
divided north and south lake by railroad-which prevented flow of water from north to south, so they became 2 different ecosystems
then railroad went back to tressle which opened up flow between the two |
|
|
Term
| The Great Salt Lake: in recent years |
|
Definition
LEVEL CHANGES
1972- water level was average
1982-84- northern utah recieved above normal precip.
1984- southern basin water level stood 3.7 ft. higher than the north
then a 300 foot section of causeway was replaced with a bridge. within a year, level differences between N and S basin was on .5 ft. and salinity differences were mediated. |
|
|
Term
| White Pelicans of the Great Salt Lake: |
|
Definition
nesting ground for white pelicans
gregarious birds that go fishing in large flocks
they form a large circle and move fish toward its center, then all scoop in at once for fish |
|
|
Term
| Great basin: Big sagebrush |
|
Definition
dominant shrub of great basin, SYMBOL of G.B.
tips of the gray/green leaves are tri-lobbed
may reach 6 to 7 feet in height, but usually 2 to 4 ft.
basal woody stems may be 3 to 5 inches in diamete, covered by a stringy ragged bark
yellowsh flowers appear in the fall
NOT a true sage
popular name derived from pungent aroma of foliage
appears in near-monoculture stands, or with a variety of other shrubs and grasses |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
common in G.B.
also called sheep fat
small (2. ft), compact shrub with spiny tipped, straw-colored stems
commo of associate of big sagebrush |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
evergreen shrub rising up to 4 ft. with fragrant silver/gray narrow leaves and graceul swirling branches
makes a striking contrast with the red sandstone of southern UTAH.
indiator of pure sand, does well in g.b.
find in arizona |
|
|
Term
| SHRUBS of the GREAT BASIN |
|
Definition
| shadescale, four winged saltbush, tumbleweed, jimsonweed or sared datura |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| flowering plant that does not have chlorophyll, parasitic, sends roots into host plant |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
birds
representative of great basin, but also found everywhere else in wordl
first evolved in Australia |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
author, activist, environmentalist, ranger in arches national park.
wrote Desert Solitaire, which expresses radical conservation of desert ecosystems. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
in western america, from alaska to mexico
north-south stretch of mountains that allows boreal and mountain species to mix |
|
|
Term
| 6 MAJOR FOREST SYSTEMS OF WESTERN NORTH AMERICA |
|
Definition
1. NORTHERN BOREAL FOREST
2. WESTERN COASTAL FORESTS
3. MONTANE FORESTS
4. ROCKY MOUNTAIN FORESTS
5. SUB ALPINE FORESTS
6. SUB MONTANE WOODLANDS |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
low diveristy, high density forests of the northern continent
representative tree species: i dont know |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
temperate "rain forest" of washington, oregon, and british columbia
representative tree sepcies: i dont know |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
the sierra and cascade ranges from washington to oregon and california
representative tree species: i dont know |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| widely distributed forests of the intermountain west |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| near timberline in temperate latitudes |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
the forests of hillsides and along streams, usually sparse in CONIFERS
ex. digger pine |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
tree that produces cones
ex. sugar pine cone, douglas fir cone, juniper cones, fir cones, yew cones |
|
|
Term
| examples of trees with scale-like leaves |
|
Definition
| Giant Redwood, juniper, cypress, Western Red Cedar |
|
|
Term
| trees that have needles in bundles of more than 5 |
|
Definition
LARCH- imp. because they produce chemicals that are used for lithographic production
ex. larch that occurs in Siberia, habitat is 50 degrees F, so it survives by dropping leaves in winter |
|
|
Term
| Physical factors that limit the distribution of western conifers: |
|
Definition
LIGHT AND SHADE- western conifers require full sun exposure for survival
SOIL TYPE- ex. fir trees thrive best on moist soils
MERRIUM LIFE ZONES- saguaro cactus requires hot temperature and 2,000 ft. elevation
FIRE- ex. some conifers require heat for seeds to be released |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
in 1984, C.H. merriam proposed "universal" merrium lifezones
reflects both altitudinal changes and its relationship with latitudinal gradients
not as widely applicable, but it does illustrate montane zonation.
as you go up in altitude, you go from one community to another that is distinctly different beacuse of the elevaiton and temperature.
ex. saguaro cactus in hot temperature, with 2000 feet elevation, but if you go up you get the sagebrush in warm temp and 4,000 ft. elevation |
|
|
Term
| soil factors controlling conifer distribution |
|
Definition
many conifers prefer acidic soil (podzols) which are also relatively nutrient defficient.
these conditions are maintained by accumulated leaf litter (in this case, needles) on the forest floor.
conifer needles have thick, waxy coverings which resits decomposition, so when they accumulate ont he floor, they eventually break down, releasing nutrients through upper soil horizons, washing them to deeper layers, an thereby perpetuating the podzol.
the nutrient poor, acidic, upper soil horizon is thus rendered inhospitable to broadleaf trees. so a complex feedback loop helps perpetuate conifer-dominated ecosystems.
ex. not all conifers prefer acidic soils. Bristlecone pines have adaptions for life on exposed, wind-swept high altitude rock ledges |
|
|
Term
| LIGHT factors controlling conifers; examples, succession |
|
Definition
many western conifers require full sun exposure for survival. seedlings growing beneath the meature forest canopy often succumb for lack of sufficient light to drive photosynthesis.
only when the canopy is breached (tree falls from lightening, or cut by humans) does sufficient light reach forest floor.
succession is often slow in nutrient-poor montane soils, and a century or more may pass before mature forest is established again
also, christmas tree shape permit more light to reach the increasingly elongate branches below
ex. firewheel in the devastated area, 10 years after Mt. St. Helens erupted. there are pink shrubs on the lower floor because they have light |
|
|
Term
| the christmas tree shape as it relates to light and photosynthesis |
|
Definition
| the classic, tapered xmas tree conifer shape is an adaption to light and snow. the short upper branches permit more light to reach increasingly elongated branches below. the shape allows more light to penetrate down into the forest for photosynthesis |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
occurs in Submontane forest down in Savannahs in hot area. gray pines do not display the classic xmas tree shape, bc not in cold snowy area. they characterize dry slopes along the sierra nevada foothills and assume rounded, open crowns.
produce large cones
called this ebcause indians dug up grubs up to eat |
|
|
Term
| Fire as an environmental component of Western Forests |
|
Definition
| fire has a positive side-- it promotes diveristy, releases nutrients to the soil, gets rid of dead material, good for animals, more herbs, many kinds of plant require fire for reproduction or dispersal (conifers cones need heat to relase seeds) |
|
|
Term
| Northwest Coastal Forests: physical characteristics, tree species examples |
|
Definition
land is modified by the sea
range from southern alaska to northern california
produce large, tall, impressive and massive lush trees
many exceed 200 feet in height
gets over 50 inches of rain a year
dominated by 6 prominent conifers: western hemlock, douglas fir, western red cedar, pacific silver fir, noble fir, and sitka spruce |
|
|
Term
| Sierra Montane Forest: physical characteristics, tree species examples |
|
Definition
mid to upper elevation forests of the intermountain west
arise from arid basins (dry deserts or grasslands)
the driest forests of western north america
tree species: lodgepole pine, douglas fir, ponderosa pine, quaking aspen |
|
|
Term
| Sub Alpine Forests: physical characteristics, tree species exs. |
|
Definition
prevailing theme: georgaphic isolation
left over from pleistocene
born in cooler climates and at lower elevations
short growing seasons and cold, snowy, windy winters
tree species exs: mountain hemlock, subalpine fir, whitebark pine, foxtail pine, and lodgepole pine |
|
|
Term
| Sub Montane Woodlands: tree species |
|
Definition
| includes riparian woodlands, chaparrel, oak groves, cottonwood groves, and other woodlands scattered throughout the western regions |
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|
