Term
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Definition
| A place characterized by the organisms that live there and the abiotic factors like rainfall and temperature. It can contain one or more ecosystems. |
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Term
| Temperate grassland (land biome) |
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Definition
| has small, seed eating mammals, large herbivores and few trees. |
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Term
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Definition
| large herbivores live and graze on grass here, scattered clumps of trees. |
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Term
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Definition
- plants grow far apart to reduce competition for water
- receives the lowest average yearly rainfall
- plants have fleshy stems and quick blooming flowers |
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Term
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Definition
| characterized by permafrost-(soil that stays frozen all the time which prevents rain from draining), no trees |
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Term
| Temperte Deciduous Forest (land biome) |
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Definition
- most trees are deciduous (lose their leaves in the Fall to help conserve water so they can survive winter)
- soil is fairly rich and plants cover the forest floor
- animals eat nuts, leaves, and berries |
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Term
| Coniferous Forest (land biome) |
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Definition
- contains conifers- trees that produce their seeds in cones and do not lose their leaves in Fall
- they conserve water in the winter with the help of needlelike leaves & a waxy coating on their leaves
- the trees block most of the light from the forest floor so few plants can grow |
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Term
| Tropical Rainforest (land biome) |
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Definition
- most biologically diverse (the most different types of plants and animals)
- soil is wet and has poor nutrients
- receives the highest yearly average rainfall
- Plants on the forest floor have large leaves to catch more light. |
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Term
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Definition
characterized by a major abiotic feature→ the speed at which water moves
- The speed of the current determines what type of organisms live in a stream or river. |
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Term
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Definition
| each trickle, stream or river that joins a larger trickle, stream or river. |
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Term
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Definition
| an area where fresh water from streams and rivers spills into the ocean (so the fresh and salt water mix). |
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Term
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Definition
| an area of land where the water level is near or above the surface of the ground for most of the year. This area is plentiful in nutrients so it has many varied plants and a large capacity for photosynthesis. |
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Term
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Definition
| type of wetland characterized by flooded trees draped with Spanish moss and vines. |
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Term
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Definition
| a treeless wetland ecosystem where plants such as cattails and rushes grow . |
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Term
| Littoral zone (Freshwater Zone) |
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Definition
| area where the water meets the land |
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Term
| Open-water zone (Freshwater Zone) |
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Definition
| extends from the point where water meets the land across the top of the water |
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Term
| Deep-water zone (Freshwater Zone) |
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Definition
| part of the water where no light reaches and organisms feed on dead organic material |
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Term
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Definition
| These biomes are based in salty water and contain the largest organisms in the world. Phytoplankton are very small photosynthetic plant-like protists that float near the surface of the ocean. (Phytoplankton are producers.) Zooplankton are very small animal-like protists (protozoa) that live in the ocean and eat phytoplankton (Zooplankton are 1st level consumers.) These biomes at the poles contain ice. |
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Term
| Intertidal zone (Marine Zone) |
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Definition
area where ocean meets the land.
- sea grasses, periwinkle snails & birds live here. |
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Term
| Neritic zone (Marine Zone) |
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Definition
area where water becomes gradually deeper on the edge of the continental shelf
- you can find seaweeds, coral reefs, sea turtles, and dolphins living here
- Coral reefs are structures that are formed as a result of a long term build-up of coral skeletons. |
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Term
| Oceanic zone (Marine Zone) |
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Definition
extends across the ocean waters, and down about 200m.
- whales, squid and animals adapted to darkness & high pressure live here. |
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Term
| Benthic zone (Marine Zone) |
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Definition
the sea floor, most areas do not receive sunlight.
- worms, sea urchins and bacteria live here.
- extends from the bottom of the intertidal zone to the bottom of the deepest ocean floors. |
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