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In one line: weather vs climate?
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All Flashcards in Topic 2.8
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2.8.150 cards
In one line: weather vs climate?
Weather is short-term; climate is long-term average patterns over decades.
Short vs long.
Why is solar energy unevenly distributed on Earth?
Because Earth is spherical and tilted, sunlight hits different latitudes at different angles and day length varies by season.
Angle + tilt.
How are aquatic biomes mainly classified?
By salinity: freshwater (low salinity) versus marine (high salinity).
Salinity rule.
How are biomes mainly classified at SL?
Mainly using abiotic climate factors, especially temperature and precipitation.
Abiotic climate.
How are biomes mainly classified at SL?
Mainly using abiotic climate factors, especially temperature and precipitation.
Abiotic climate.
Define weather.
Weather is the short-term atmospheric conditions at a specific time and place (e.g., temperature, rainfall, wind, cloud cover).
Short-term conditions.
Why is solar energy unevenly distributed on Earth?
Because Earth is spherical and tilted, sunlight hits different latitudes at different angles and day length varies by season.
Angle + tilt.
How are aquatic biomes mainly classified?
By salinity: freshwater (low salinity) versus marine (high salinity).
Salinity rule.
In one line: weather vs climate?
Weather is short-term; climate is long-term average patterns over decades.
Short vs long.
Define weather.
Weather is the short-term atmospheric conditions at a specific time and place (e.g., temperature, rainfall, wind, cloud cover).
Short-term conditions.
Name two limiting factors common in freshwater ecosystems.
Light penetration and oxygen availability (also nutrients and temperature variation).
Light + oxygen.
Define climate.
Climate is the long-term average pattern of atmospheric conditions in an area, usually measured over decades.
Long-term averages.
Define climate.
Climate is the long-term average pattern of atmospheric conditions in an area, usually measured over decades.
Long-term averages.
Two main controls of terrestrial biomes?
Temperature and precipitation.
Temp + rain.
Name the broad biome groups studied at SL.
Freshwater, marine, forest, grassland, desert, and tundra biomes.
Water + land groups.
Name two limiting factors common in freshwater ecosystems.
Light penetration and oxygen availability (also nutrients and temperature variation).
Light + oxygen.
What causes large-scale atmospheric circulation?
Warm air rises (less dense) and cool air sinks (more dense), creating convection that redistributes heat.
Density drives movement.
Two main controls of terrestrial biomes?
Temperature and precipitation.
Temp + rain.
What causes large-scale atmospheric circulation?
Warm air rises (less dense) and cool air sinks (more dense), creating convection that redistributes heat.
Density drives movement.
Name the broad biome groups studied at SL.
Freshwater, marine, forest, grassland, desert, and tundra biomes.
Water + land groups.
Name the three cells in the tricellular model.
Hadley cell, Ferrel cell, and Polar cell (in each hemisphere).
Hadley–Ferrel–Polar.
What mainly drives surface ocean currents?
Wind (wind-driven movement in the upper ocean).
Wind-driven.
Aquatic biomes are mainly classified by what?
Salinity (freshwater vs marine).
Salinity.
What is a biome?
A biome is a large group of ecosystems with similar climate, vegetation and organisms, which can occur on different continents.
Climate + vegetation.
Give one key feature of grassland biomes.
Moderate rainfall with seasonal growth, often maintained by grazing and periodic fires.
Grazing + fire.
Give one key feature of grassland biomes.
Moderate rainfall with seasonal growth, often maintained by grazing and periodic fires.
Grazing + fire.
What is a biome?
A biome is a large group of ecosystems with similar climate, vegetation and organisms, which can occur on different continents.
Climate + vegetation.
Name the three cells in the tricellular model.
Hadley cell, Ferrel cell, and Polar cell (in each hemisphere).
Hadley–Ferrel–Polar.
What mainly drives surface ocean currents?
Wind (wind-driven movement in the upper ocean).
Wind-driven.
Aquatic biomes are mainly classified by what?
Salinity (freshwater vs marine).
Salinity.
What abiotic factors shape mangrove ecosystems?
Salinity, tidal inundation, anaerobic soils, and warm temperatures in tropical/subtropical coasts.
Salinity + tides.
What happens to rainfall where air rises?
Rising air cools and condenses, forming clouds and increasing rainfall.
Rise = rain.
Where is it typically dry in global circulation and why?
Around 30° latitude where air sinks, warms, and dries, reducing cloud formation and rainfall.
Sinking air.
Which two abiotic factors mainly control terrestrial biome distribution?
Temperature and precipitation.
Temp + rainfall.
What drives deep ocean water movement (SL overview)?
Density differences caused by temperature and salinity: colder, saltier water is denser and sinks.
Temp + salt → density.
Which two abiotic factors mainly control terrestrial biome distribution?
Temperature and precipitation.
Temp + rainfall.
Where is it typically dry in global circulation and why?
Around 30° latitude where air sinks, warms, and dries, reducing cloud formation and rainfall.
Sinking air.
What happens to rainfall where air rises?
Rising air cools and condenses, forming clouds and increasing rainfall.
Rise = rain.
What drives deep ocean water movement (SL overview)?
Density differences caused by temperature and salinity: colder, saltier water is denser and sinks.
Temp + salt → density.
What abiotic factors shape mangrove ecosystems?
Salinity, tidal inundation, anaerobic soils, and warm temperatures in tropical/subtropical coasts.
Salinity + tides.
Why are deserts common around 30° latitude?
Because air often sinks around 30° latitude, warming and drying as it descends, which reduces cloud formation and rainfall.
Sink = dry.
What do ocean currents do for climate?
They redistribute heat, moderating temperatures and influencing regional climate patterns.
Move heat.
How can climate change shift biome location?
Biomes can shift poleward or to higher altitudes as temperature and precipitation patterns change and species track their tolerance ranges.
Poleward/uphill shift.
What do ocean currents do for climate?
They redistribute heat, moderating temperatures and influencing regional climate patterns.
Move heat.
How can climate change shift biome location?
Biomes can shift poleward or to higher altitudes as temperature and precipitation patterns change and species track their tolerance ranges.
Poleward/uphill shift.
Why are ocean currents important for climate?
They redistribute heat around the planet, moderating regional temperatures and influencing rainfall patterns.
Move heat.
Why do similar biomes occur on different continents?
Because similar long-term climate conditions lead to similar vegetation, which supports similar animal communities.
Same climate → similar life.
Why do similar biomes occur on different continents?
Because similar long-term climate conditions lead to similar vegetation, which supports similar animal communities.
Same climate → similar life.
Why are ocean currents important for climate?
They redistribute heat around the planet, moderating regional temperatures and influencing rainfall patterns.
Move heat.
Why are deserts common around 30° latitude?
Because air often sinks around 30° latitude, warming and drying as it descends, which reduces cloud formation and rainfall.
Sink = dry.
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Define zonation.
Zonation is a change in species composition across space along an environmental gradient.
Across space.
In one line, what is zonation?
A change in species composition across space along an environmental gradient.
Across space.
Define zonation.
Zonation is a change in species composition across space along an environmental gradient.
Across space.
Name four common environmental gradients.
Altitude, latitude, tidal level, and soil depth.
A-L-T-S.
Name four common environmental gradients.
Altitude, latitude, tidal level, and soil depth.
A-L-T-S.
In one line, what is zonation?
A change in species composition across space along an environmental gradient.
Across space.
What is an environmental gradient?
A gradual change in an abiotic factor across space (e.g., tidal exposure, altitude, moisture, light).
Gradual abiotic change.
What generally happens to biodiversity with increasing altitude?
Biodiversity generally decreases as altitude increases because conditions become colder, windier, and growing seasons shorten.
Higher = harsher.
What generally happens to biodiversity with increasing altitude?
Biodiversity generally decreases as altitude increases because conditions become colder, windier, and growing seasons shorten.
Higher = harsher.
List the three core reasons zonation occurs.
Abiotic conditions change, species have tolerance limits, and competition affects where species survive.
Abiotic + tolerance + competition.
What is an environmental gradient?
A gradual change in an abiotic factor across space (e.g., tidal exposure, altitude, moisture, light).
Gradual abiotic change.
List the three core reasons zonation occurs.
Abiotic conditions change, species have tolerance limits, and competition affects where species survive.
Abiotic + tolerance + competition.
Give one example of a zonation gradient.
Tidal level on a rocky shore (high tide zone → mid tide → low tide).
Rocky shore.
Which tidal zone usually has the highest biodiversity and why?
The low tide zone, because it is submerged most of the time and conditions are more stable.
More stable.
Give one example of a zonation gradient.
Tidal level on a rocky shore (high tide zone → mid tide → low tide).
Rocky shore.
Which fieldwork method is used to study zonation?
Transects (often with quadrats at intervals) to record changes across a gradient.
Line + samples.
Which fieldwork method is used to study zonation?
Transects (often with quadrats at intervals) to record changes across a gradient.
Line + samples.
Which tidal zone usually has the highest biodiversity and why?
The low tide zone, because it is submerged most of the time and conditions are more stable.
More stable.
Why does zonation occur?
Because abiotic conditions change across space, species have tolerance limits, and competition excludes less adapted species from some zones.
Tolerance + competition.
Define a transect.
A transect is a straight line laid across an environmental gradient along which observations are made at intervals.
Line across gradient.
In kite diagrams, what does width represent?
Abundance (number of organisms).
Width = abundance.
Why does zonation occur?
Because abiotic conditions change across space, species have tolerance limits, and competition excludes less adapted species from some zones.
Tolerance + competition.
Define a transect.
A transect is a straight line laid across an environmental gradient along which observations are made at intervals.
Line across gradient.
In kite diagrams, what does width represent?
Abundance (number of organisms).
Width = abundance.
What does a kite diagram show?
Species distribution and abundance along a transect; kite width indicates abundance and position shows where the species occurs.
Width = abundance.
What does “tolerance limits” mean?
The range of abiotic conditions a species can survive and reproduce in; outside the range it cannot persist.
Range of survival.
Zonation occurs at what two scales?
Local scale (e.g., rocky shores, forests) and global scale (e.g., climate zones and biomes).
Local + global.
What does a kite diagram show?
Species distribution and abundance along a transect; kite width indicates abundance and position shows where the species occurs.
Width = abundance.
What does “tolerance limits” mean?
The range of abiotic conditions a species can survive and reproduce in; outside the range it cannot persist.
Range of survival.
Zonation occurs at what two scales?
Local scale (e.g., rocky shores, forests) and global scale (e.g., climate zones and biomes).
Local + global.
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Define ecosystem resilience.
Resilience is the ability of an ecosystem to resist disturbance or recover and return to a stable state after disturbance.
Recover to stable.
Succession is change over time through what stages?
Seral stages progressing toward a climax community.
Seral → climax.
Name three things that usually increase during succession.
Biodiversity, biomass, and soil depth/nutrients (also food web complexity).
B-B-S.
Name three things that usually increase during succession.
Biodiversity, biomass, and soil depth/nutrients (also food web complexity).
B-B-S.
What is primary succession?
Succession that starts on bare rock/land with no soil present.
No soil.
Define succession.
Succession is the process of change in species composition and community structure over time.
Change over time.
Succession is change over time through what stages?
Seral stages progressing toward a climax community.
Seral → climax.
Define succession.
Succession is the process of change in species composition and community structure over time.
Change over time.
Define ecosystem resilience.
Resilience is the ability of an ecosystem to resist disturbance or recover and return to a stable state after disturbance.
Recover to stable.
What is primary succession?
Succession that starts on bare rock/land with no soil present.
No soil.
How do humans commonly “arrest” succession?
By keeping ecosystems at early stages through farming, grazing, or urban development.
Hold early stage.
What is secondary succession?
Succession that starts after disturbance where soil already exists (e.g., after fire or farming).
Soil remains.
What is secondary succession?
Succession that starts after disturbance where soil already exists (e.g., after fire or farming).
Soil remains.
Primary vs secondary succession: the one key difference?
Primary starts with no soil (bare rock). Secondary starts with soil present after disturbance.
Soil or no soil.
Define pioneer species.
Pioneer species are the first organisms to colonise a barren environment; they tolerate harsh conditions and start soil formation.
First colonisers.
Resilience is about recovery or preventing disturbance?
Recovery. Resilience describes how well an ecosystem bounces back after disturbance, not whether disturbance happens.
Bounce back.
Primary vs secondary succession: the one key difference?
Primary starts with no soil (bare rock). Secondary starts with soil present after disturbance.
Soil or no soil.
How do humans commonly “arrest” succession?
By keeping ecosystems at early stages through farming, grazing, or urban development.
Hold early stage.
Define pioneer species.
Pioneer species are the first organisms to colonise a barren environment; they tolerate harsh conditions and start soil formation.
First colonisers.
Resilience is about recovery or preventing disturbance?
Recovery. Resilience describes how well an ecosystem bounces back after disturbance, not whether disturbance happens.
Bounce back.
Why do large storages increase resilience?
Large storages (e.g., biomass, soil nutrients) act as buffers, allowing the system to keep functioning if inputs are temporarily disrupted.
Buffers.
Give one way understanding succession helps sustainability/restoration.
It helps plan ecosystem restoration by predicting which stage comes next and estimating recovery time after disturbance.
Restoration planning.
Define climax community.
A climax community is the final, stable community in equilibrium with the environment, with maximum biodiversity for that area.
Final stable stage.
Why is secondary succession usually faster?
Because soil, nutrients, and often seeds/roots are already present, so recovery can start immediately.
Soil + seeds ready.
Define climax community.
A climax community is the final, stable community in equilibrium with the environment, with maximum biodiversity for that area.
Final stable stage.
Why do large storages increase resilience?
Large storages (e.g., biomass, soil nutrients) act as buffers, allowing the system to keep functioning if inputs are temporarily disrupted.
Buffers.
Why is secondary succession usually faster?
Because soil, nutrients, and often seeds/roots are already present, so recovery can start immediately.
Soil + seeds ready.
Give one way understanding succession helps sustainability/restoration.
It helps plan ecosystem restoration by predicting which stage comes next and estimating recovery time after disturbance.
Restoration planning.
Name four trends during succession.
Biomass increases, biodiversity increases, soil depth/nutrients increase, and food webs become more complex.
More biomass + diversity.
Name four trends during succession.
Biomass increases, biodiversity increases, soil depth/nutrients increase, and food webs become more complex.
More biomass + diversity.
Why does succession happen?
Species change the environment over time (e.g., soil and shade), making conditions suitable for different species to replace them.
Species modify habitat.
How does biodiversity increase resilience?
More species and interactions create complex food webs with multiple pathways, so loss of one species is less damaging.
More pathways.
Succession vs zonation: what is the key difference?
Succession is change over time; zonation is change over space.
Time vs space.
Define resilience in one sentence.
Resilience is the ability to resist disturbance or recover and return to a stable state after disturbance.
Return to stable.
Succession vs zonation: what is the key difference?
Succession is change over time; zonation is change over space.
Time vs space.
How does biodiversity increase resilience?
More species and interactions create complex food webs with multiple pathways, so loss of one species is less damaging.
More pathways.
Name two pioneer species examples for primary succession.
Lichens and mosses (also algae).
Lichens + moss.
Name two pioneer species examples for primary succession.
Lichens and mosses (also algae).
Lichens + moss.
Why does succession happen?
Species change the environment over time (e.g., soil and shade), making conditions suitable for different species to replace them.
Species modify habitat.
Define resilience in one sentence.
Resilience is the ability to resist disturbance or recover and return to a stable state after disturbance.
Return to stable.
Give one real example of succession starting from bare ground.
After a volcanic eruption or retreating glacier, succession can start on bare rock with lichens and mosses.
Volcano/glacier.
Name two factors that increase resilience.
Biodiversity and large storages (also redundancy and negative feedback).
Biodiversity + buffers.
What is redundancy and why does it matter for resilience?
Redundancy is when multiple species perform similar roles; it increases resilience because another species can replace a lost function.
Backups in roles.
Name two factors that increase resilience.
Biodiversity and large storages (also redundancy and negative feedback).
Biodiversity + buffers.
Name two human activities that can reset or stop succession.
Deforestation and urbanisation (also intensive agriculture or repeated grazing).
Deforest + build.
Give one real example of succession starting from bare ground.
After a volcanic eruption or retreating glacier, succession can start on bare rock with lichens and mosses.
Volcano/glacier.
What is redundancy and why does it matter for resilience?
Redundancy is when multiple species perform similar roles; it increases resilience because another species can replace a lost function.
Backups in roles.
Name two human activities that can reset or stop succession.
Deforestation and urbanisation (also intensive agriculture or repeated grazing).
Deforest + build.
What is the correct exam shortcut to remember primary vs secondary?
Primary = from scratch (bare rock, no soil). Secondary = soil already there (just disrupted).
Scratch vs disrupted.
What is the correct exam shortcut to remember primary vs secondary?
Primary = from scratch (bare rock, no soil). Secondary = soil already there (just disrupted).
Scratch vs disrupted.
Topic 2.8 study notes
Full notes & explanations for Biomes, zonation, succession
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