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All 25 Flashcards — Biomes
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Question
How are aquatic biomes mainly classified?
Answer
By salinity: freshwater (low salinity) versus marine (high salinity).
💡 Hint
Salinity rule.
Question
Define weather.
Answer
Weather is the short-term atmospheric conditions at a specific time and place (e.g., temperature, rainfall, wind, cloud cover).
💡 Hint
Short-term conditions.
Question
In one line: weather vs climate?
Answer
Weather is short-term; climate is long-term average patterns over decades.
💡 Hint
Short vs long.
Question
How are biomes mainly classified at SL?
Answer
Mainly using abiotic climate factors, especially temperature and precipitation.
💡 Hint
Abiotic climate.
Question
Why is solar energy unevenly distributed on Earth?
Answer
Because Earth is spherical and tilted, sunlight hits different latitudes at different angles and day length varies by season.
💡 Hint
Angle + tilt.
Question
Name two limiting factors common in freshwater ecosystems.
Answer
Light penetration and oxygen availability (also nutrients and temperature variation).
💡 Hint
Light + oxygen.
Question
What causes large-scale atmospheric circulation?
Answer
Warm air rises (less dense) and cool air sinks (more dense), creating convection that redistributes heat.
💡 Hint
Density drives movement.
Question
Name the broad biome groups studied at SL.
Answer
Freshwater, marine, forest, grassland, desert, and tundra biomes.
💡 Hint
Water + land groups.
Question
Two main controls of terrestrial biomes?
Answer
Temperature and precipitation.
💡 Hint
Temp + rain.
Question
Define climate.
Answer
Climate is the long-term average pattern of atmospheric conditions in an area, usually measured over decades.
💡 Hint
Long-term averages.
Question
Name the three cells in the tricellular model.
Answer
Hadley cell, Ferrel cell, and Polar cell (in each hemisphere).
💡 Hint
Hadley–Ferrel–Polar.
Question
What is a biome?
Answer
A biome is a large group of ecosystems with similar climate, vegetation and organisms, which can occur on different continents.
💡 Hint
Climate + vegetation.
Question
Give one key feature of grassland biomes.
Answer
Moderate rainfall with seasonal growth, often maintained by grazing and periodic fires.
💡 Hint
Grazing + fire.
Question
What mainly drives surface ocean currents?
Answer
Wind (wind-driven movement in the upper ocean).
💡 Hint
Wind-driven.
Question
Aquatic biomes are mainly classified by what?
Answer
Salinity (freshwater vs marine).
💡 Hint
Salinity.
Question
Where is it typically dry in global circulation and why?
Answer
Around 30° latitude where air sinks, warms, and dries, reducing cloud formation and rainfall.
💡 Hint
Sinking air.
Question
Which two abiotic factors mainly control terrestrial biome distribution?
Answer
Temperature and precipitation.
💡 Hint
Temp + rainfall.
Question
What drives deep ocean water movement (SL overview)?
Answer
Density differences caused by temperature and salinity: colder, saltier water is denser and sinks.
💡 Hint
Temp + salt → density.
Question
What happens to rainfall where air rises?
Answer
Rising air cools and condenses, forming clouds and increasing rainfall.
💡 Hint
Rise = rain.
Question
What abiotic factors shape mangrove ecosystems?
Answer
Salinity, tidal inundation, anaerobic soils, and warm temperatures in tropical/subtropical coasts.
💡 Hint
Salinity + tides.
Question
Why are deserts common around 30° latitude?
Answer
Because air often sinks around 30° latitude, warming and drying as it descends, which reduces cloud formation and rainfall.
💡 Hint
Sink = dry.
Question
Why are ocean currents important for climate?
Answer
They redistribute heat around the planet, moderating regional temperatures and influencing rainfall patterns.
💡 Hint
Move heat.
Question
Why do similar biomes occur on different continents?
Answer
Because similar long-term climate conditions lead to similar vegetation, which supports similar animal communities.
💡 Hint
Same climate → similar life.
Question
What do ocean currents do for climate?
Answer
They redistribute heat, moderating temperatures and influencing regional climate patterns.
💡 Hint
Move heat.
Question
How can climate change shift biome location?
Answer
Biomes can shift poleward or to higher altitudes as temperature and precipitation patterns change and species track their tolerance ranges.
💡 Hint
Poleward/uphill shift.
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Topic 2.8 hub
Biomes, zonation, succession
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