Term
| large-scale terrestrial communities, defined by vegetation |
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Definition
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Term
What three factors determine the dominant vegetation in a biome? |
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Definition
- climate
- soil type
- soil fertility
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Term
| In what biome is there the most diverse vegetation? |
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Definition
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Term
| biome with a hot and wet climate and no seasons |
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Definition
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Term
| How does the age of the rainforest ecosystem contribute to its biological diversity? |
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Definition
| time for accumulation of many species |
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Term
How does the climate of the rainforest ecosystem contribute to its biological diversity?
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Definition
The even temperature allows for year-round reproduction and more rapid life cycles which increases the rate of evolution. |
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Term
How does the stratified ecosystem of the rainforest ecosystem contribute to its biological diversity?
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Definition
| offers many niches into which organisms can adapt |
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Term
| Why is rainforest soil so infertile? |
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Definition
- little organic debris because of rapid decomposition
- nutrients leeched from soil by rain and high temperature
- acidic
- clay-like
- doesn't give up nutrients so easily
- soil deficient in certain minerals
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Term
As a result of the soil's infertility in the rainforest, what two things are essential? |
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Definition
| nitrogen-fixing bacteria and mycorrhizal fungi |
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Term
| What causes the stratified ecosystem of the rainforest? |
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Definition
| varying levels of light availability |
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Term
| What are the levels of stratification in a rainforest? |
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Definition
- tall canopy trees
- shorter understory trees
- giant herbaceous plants
- ground layer
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Term
| What do palms, bamboos, and tree ferns have in common? |
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Definition
| They are giant herbaceous plants |
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Term
| True or False: Deciduous trees dominate the rainforest. |
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Definition
| False. There are no deciduous trees in a rainforest. |
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Term
biome with seasonal rainfall and a wide range of temperature; dominated by perennial grasses |
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Definition
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Term
| Why are trees relatively short in savannas? |
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Definition
They have no competition for light, so they don't need to be tall. |
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Term
| When do deciduous trees lose their leaves in savannas? |
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Definition
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Term
| How are savannas and grasslands maintained? |
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Definition
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Term
| How are plants in a savannah protected from burning? |
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Definition
- thick bark on trees
- underground storage in grasses
- SAM close to the ground in grasses
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Term
| What is the dominant vegetation in deserts? |
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Definition
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Term
biome where perennial grasses dominate; distinct seasons, cold winters, and intermediate rainfall; good for agriculture; a.k.a. prairie |
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Definition
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Term
| Where do trees grow in a grassland? |
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Definition
| only along streams or other sources of abundant water |
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Term
| What problems threaten grasslands? |
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Definition
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Term
| biome with definite seasonal changes, 4-8 month growing season, and acidic soils with low nutrient content |
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Definition
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Term
| What is considered the dry season in a temperate forest? |
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Definition
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Term
| What are the layers of stratification in a temperate forest? |
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Definition
- canopy
- subcanopy
- shrubs
- herbs
- surface layer
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Term
| The dominant vegetation in a temperate forest depends on the _________ and the ____________. |
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Definition
| season, competition for light |
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Term
Name two of the genera of dominant deciduous trees in temperate forests. |
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Definition
- Quercus (oak)
- Fagus (beech)
- Acer (maple)
- Carya (hickory)
- Tilia (linden)
- Liriodendron (tulip tree)
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Term
| What genera of conifers exist in temperate forests? |
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Definition
- Pinus (pine)
- Tsuga (hemlock)
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Term
northern coniferous forest with lots of bogs due to poor draining soils and low evaporation; 3-4 month growing season; not very diverse; abundant mosses and lichens |
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Definition
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Term
| permanent frost in the top foot of soil in the taiga and in the tundra |
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Definition
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Term
Plants in a taiga are dependent on ____________ because of the infertile soil. |
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Definition
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Term
| What are the layers of vegetation in a taiga? |
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Definition
- canopy
- shrubs
- herbs
- surface layer
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Term
| What are three examples of underground storage for plants? |
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Definition
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Term
| What are the dominant vegetation in a tundra? (name 3) |
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Definition
- short, stunted plants
- shrubs
- grasses
- mosses
- lichens
- perennials with underground storage
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Term
| biome with minimal evaporation, 2 month growing season, and bitter, cold winters |
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Definition
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Term
| Why do some plants in a tundra have dark pigments? |
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Definition
| to increase the absorption of light |
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