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Chapter 6
Biogeography: Climate, Biomes, and Terrestrial Biodiversity
163
Science
9th Grade
09/23/2008

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Term
weather
Definition
Short term condition of all properties of atmosphere: temperature, pressure, humidity, wind speed& direction, precipitation, sunshine, cloud cover...
Term
Weaher change occurs when
Definition
one air mass(warm/cold, wet/dry, high pressure/low pressure) replaces the other(opposite in conditions)
Term
what causes unequal heating(cold and warm air masses) of atmosphere?
Definition
The angle at which sun's rays strike the particular location of the planet(polar caps, equator)determined by tilt of Earth amd revolution
Term
What 6 things control/determine
WEATHER and CLIMATE of the environment?
Definition
latitude, altitude, land and water ratio(water stores heat), ocean currents and distributed air,landform barriers to air movement(Coast range of California) and human activity
Term
climate
Definition
Average of weather for a long period of time-30 years minimum(generally:average temperature)
Term
What are two main factors determining weather and climate of region?
Definition
Precipitation and temperature
Term
air mass
Definition
large body of air (100'1 of sq.mi in diameter)with nearly the same temperature and humidity
Term
what are four types of air masses and what do the term parts mean?
Definition
1.continental(dry-forming over land) polar(dry)
2.continental tropical(warm)
3.Maritime(wet, forming over aqua) polar
4.Maritime tropical
Term
Cool dense air has ____pressure while warm less-dense air has ____ pressure
Definition
high, low ( because cold air when sinks to ground is squeezed together under mass of air above)
Term
warm air mass is _____ than the surface over which it passes, same pattern with cold air mass
Definition
warmer
Term
weather front
Definition
where two air masses meet
Term
cold front
Definition
when two air masses:cold air and warm air, meet and cold air mass settles at the bottom of a STEEP frontal boundary
under warm air, QUICKLY pushing warm air up to rise
Term
What is squall line? Which front causes squall line?
Definition
Long chain of very violent, but shirt-lived storms/cold front
Term
warm front
Definition
when two air masses meet(cold and warm)and warm air rises up a gradual frontal boundary settling above warm air
Term
Which front, cold or warm, results in more violent storms? longer storms?
Definition
Cold/Warm
Term
Occluded front
Definition
When cold air mass meets the cool air mass and the cooler air rises above cold air, pushing warm air already above cold air
Term
Stationary front
Definition
When cold air mass and warm air mass meet at same level due to slow rise or descend of one or another and stop moving for a period due to parallel winds that have formed along the air masses until normal motion is resumed
Term
_____(temp.) water powers the hurricane. The ______(temp.) the water, the more intense the hurricane.
Definition
warm, warmer
Term
What are tropical cyclones and where and when do they form?
Definition
severe tropical storms(hurricanes, typhoons) powered by heat from water/ over tropical waters in late summer or early fall
Term
What causes most damage in tropical cyclones?
Definition
storm surge- water battering the shore line
Term
Hadley cell
Definition
global vertical currents through which heat and moisture are distributed
Term
Air pressure formula
Definition
density times gravity
Term
The low pressure air mass forms when
Definition
rising air column rises more quickly than it can be replaced(mass of local area reduced)
Term
________ is the most powerful type of storm. Why? It lasts_____.
Definition
tornado/enormous size and speed(can reach up to 300mph)/Short period of time
Term
What fact can explain the theory of Earth's conveyer belt leading to end of Ice Age?
Definition
It distributes cold and hot air throughout the planet
Term
Current circulation and air flow in convection cells are the results of
Definition
unequal heating or cooling of earth
Term
Why is the equator warmer than the poles?
Definition
It receives more direct sunlight(travels less distance, more energy, more warmth)
Term
How is the coriolis effect created
Definition
rotation of earth on axis; winds in the N/ Hamisphere spin towards right into S. Hamisphere winds
Term
Hadley cells are present every __degrees, there are _ of them on Earth.
Definition
30, 6
Term
Describe Milankovitch cycle
Definition
Every once in a 1000 yrs. Earth wobbles on its axis. Link to Ice Age.
Term
Describe leaping frog effect
Definition
When one of the Hadley cells-convection cells, picks up the pollution of other hadley cells, and carries it up or down in latitude, into a different region
Term
El Nino used to occur every __ years, now occurs in every __ years, theoretically due to _________.
Definition
15, 2, global warming
Term
Describe El Nino process
Definition
Trade winds, normally blowing west in the Equatorial Pacific Ocean region,weaken and reverse direction to east pushing warm(unusually) water towards east side of continents. This lowers the thermocline in oceans, suprassin gupwelling. As nutrients don't ascend to the surface from the ocean depths, population of plankton, fish, and birds,and on is disrupted. Global change in temperature occurs.
Term
Trade Winds
Definition
winds that blow across eastern hamisphere- normally towards west, but east during El Nino; they push the unusually warm waters of Equatorial Pacific Ocean away from continents, whereas during an El Nino warm waters are pushed toward continents
Term
What are the climatic changes that may reult from El Nino
Definition
wetter conditions, warmer water, higher temperatures, drier conditions, droughts
Term
How do wetter conditions, resulting from El Nino, has a negative effect on continents?
Definition
1. increases regions where mosquitoes(carriers of disease) can breed
2.flooding-sanitation problem
Term
How does warmer water near the continents, resulting from El Nino inflict a negative impact on the continents?
Definition
1. Allows increased growth of phyto and zoo plankton and therefore the increase in ammoun tof toxins(poisonous to animals) they produce
2. Bacterial growth increase in warm water
3. Increase in breeding of insects
Term
How does higer air/land temperature, which results from El Nino, have a negative impact on continents?
Definition
1.Loneger reproduction of insects, such as mosquitoes
2. Increase in breeding of insects
3. Higher population of insects in wintr due to the higher winter temperatures( not many killed by frezzes)
Term
How do slightly drier conditions resulting from El Nino negatively affect the continents?
Definition
1.Stangnant streams, which become ponds in which serve as mosquito breeding grounds, cause increase in mosquito populations
Term
How does drought negatively affect continents during El Nino
Definition
1. Shortage of fresh water
2. Concentration of pollutants in shallow ponds
3. Higher probability of diahhreal diseases
Term
People most affected by the diseases resulting from El Nino are those where a) and b)
Definition
a) Climate changes are at the extreme
b) Low healthcare and sanitation
Term
Describe the normal state of Equtorial Pacific Ecean conditions
Definition
Trade winds blow westward, pushing warm water away from continents, causing upwelling along the western edges of continents
Term
upwelling
Definition
the process by which the thermocline(transition between cold and warm water) bends and surfaces at one end- along the western edge of continents by the Equtorial Pacific Ocean, resulting in the ascending of nutrients from the ocean depths to the top
Term
Climatic conditions that generally result from El Nino are
Definition
dryness, wetness,hotness
Term
High pressure air mass is associated with
Definition
Clear sky
sunshine
Term
Low pressure air mass is associated with
Definition
rainy
cloudy
blocked sun
Term
The high pressure air forms when
Definition
a sinking column of air spreads out as it meets the surface and accumulates(mass of local area increases)
Term
La Nina
Definition
opposite of El Nino, characterized with unusually cold ocean temeratures(cold water that is moved by winds)
Term
What winter weather across USA does La Nina bring?
Definition
Southeast USA: warm winters
Great Lakes to Northwest: cold winters
North East & Middle Atlantic states: mixture of bad/good winter
Term
What is the continent that existed approximately 225 million years ago
Definition
Pangea, mans "all lands"
Term
Proposition of Continental drift theory
Definition
The theory that continents move proposed by Alfred Wagener
Term
Plate tectonics
Definition
study of movement of earth's crust
Term
lithosphere
Definition
crust and upper portion of mantle, plates
Term
asthenosphere
Definition
molten lower mantle on which the lithosphere(plates) floats
Term
convection currents
Definition
Flow of magma driven by intense heat of inner core(cool magma-denser descends while hot magma ascends)
Term
Seafloor spreading is a result of what internal process of Erath
Definition
convection currents
Term
How can formation of mountains be explained?
Definition
Convergent plate boundary where plates come together
Term
What happens at subduction zone
Definition
two plates come together and one plate subductsunder the other plate and its material is melted into magma
Term
Why are there frequent earthquakes in California
Definition
Calfornia is composed of several small pieces of plates jammed together that slide
Term
rate of movement of plates each year
Definition
2-3 cm
Term
Name the types and number of plates earth's crust consists of
Definition
20 lithospheric plates, 7 major plates(continents) and 13 minor plates
Term
List the steps of progress of continental drift
Definition
approx.225 million years ago- Pangea(supercontinent)
135 yrs ago- Pangea broke apart into Gondwandaland(southern part) and Laurasia(northern part)
65 million yrs ago- 7 major continents formed and took on present locations
Term
What is the evidence to continental drift theory
Definition
plates fitting together like a puzzle
fossil record
convection current and seafloor spreading
Term
air moves from(hint: pressure)
Definition
high air pressure to low air pressure
Term
Which type of crust is thicker?(oceanic or continental)
Definition
continental(30-60km thick while oceanic is 5-10km)
Term
How does mid ocean ridge shape?
Definition
My seafloor spreading: the oceanic crust parts and is pshed apart due to emerging magma from the Earth's interior. The thinner oceanic crust is puckered against he boundaring continental crust causing the formation of underwayer mountains.
Term
Biome
Definition
Large land region with different populations and communities adapted to region's specific climate, having similar adaptations.
Term
Why are there different organisms in different places?
Definition
difference in climate and therefore the results of the specific levels of precipitation and temperature
Term
How many plates are there?How are they distributed?
Definition
20; 7 major plates(continents) and 13 minor plates
Term
Transform fault
Definition
Boundary of two plates that slide
Term
What determines the type of biome?
Definition
precipitation, soil type, temperature
Term
What's the limiting factor for plants that determines what type of biome they will inhabit?
Definition
precipitation
Term
Which side of the mountatins(leeward or windward) will be dry according to the rainshadow effect?
Definition
leewards side
Term
Climate and biomes vary with ________&________
Definition
latitude and altitude
Term
Climates get ________from equator to poles.
Definition
colder
Term
How come different plants have different shapes, sizes, and survival strategies?
Definition
Due to inhabitation of different biomes, which differ in climate and soil type.
Term
Succulant plants/ex.
Definition
Plants that survive in dry climates all day long. They have vertical orientation, limiting the amount of absorbed sunlight and no leaves, allowing storage of water. Pores open only at night for the absorbtion of CO2. ex: Cacti
Term
Broadleaf evergreen plants/ex.
Definition
Trees of wet-tropical that keep most of their broad leaves all year long. Large surface-area-leaves help in photosynthesis and release of heat during the day. ex: rainforest trees
Term
Broadleaf decidious plants/ex.
Definition
Plants that survive drought or cold by shedding leaves and becoming dormant. ex. oak
Term
Coniferous evergreen plants/ex.
Definition
Plants with cones, keeping some of their needle shaped leaves all year long. Leaves' Waxy layer restrains heat and water loss. ex: spruce
Term
Keystone species/ex.
Definition
Species that play roles affectong many other species in an ecosystem/Flying bats-pollinators, alligator-protector of its eggs
Term
Indicator species/ex.
Definition
Species that serve as early warnings that a community or an ecosystem is being damaged./lichen population decreases with pollution, frogs react if pollution enters body
Term
Immigrant species/ex.
Definition
Non-native species that migrate into an area or are accidentally inroduced to an area by humans./boa constrictor and python in Everglades, armadillo in Florida
Term
How come some non-native species thrive in a foreign area?
Definition
similar climate+no natural predators(the specie doesn't take place in any food chain)
Term
Native species
Definition
Species that usually live and thrive in a certain biome
Term
Desert
Definition
Area where evaporatiom exceeds precipitation
Term
What is the largest desert? Where is it located?
Definition
Sahara, Africa
Term
Characterize tropical desert/ex.
Definition
High teperature all year long
little rain
driest place on Earth
little vegetation/sahara
Term
Characterize temperate desert/ex.
Definition
Daytime summer tepmerature is hot
Daytime winter temperatures are low
More precipitation that in the tropical desert/Mohabi
Term
Characterize cold desert/ex.
Definition
Cold winters
Warm or hot summers lasting 6-8 weeks
Low precipitation/Gobi Desert in China
Term
List the characteristics of desert plants that help them survive?
Definition
Wax coating(coniferous) for prevention of loss of water
Deep tap roots that reach far undergound for water and contain the nutrients
Dormancy during dry periods
Term
List the characteristics of desert animals that help them survive?
Definition
Deep burrows
Animal hide
Thick outer skin for consevation of H2O
Term
How do humans impact the desert ecosystems?
Definition
Building cities and claiming habitat
Vehicles off-road destruct soil
Soil salinization(build up of salt) due to irrigation
mining
millitary experimentation
Storage of toxins and radioactive wastes
Term
Grasslands
Definition
Regions with enough annual precipitation to allow grass and shrub growth. Droughts(insufficient precipitation) and fires prevent abundant growth of trees.
Term
Grass in the grasslands persists becaise of:
Definition
occasional fires(leave behind nutritious soil)
seasonal drought(biodiversity)
grazing of large herbivores(prevent overpopulation and demand of resources)
Term
Three types of grasslands
Definition
tropical, temperate, and polar
Term
Tropical Cyclones in the Pacific are called _______while tropical cyclones in th eatlantic are called ________
Definition
typhoons, hurricanes
Term
Tropical grassland location and characteristics
Definition
equitorial regions/high temperatures, low-moderate precipitation, extended dry season
Term
what category does the savannah belong to? characterize it.
Definition
tropical grasslands/warm teperature year round, two extended dry seasons, abundant rain the rest of the year
Term
How do animals of savannah categorize themselves in feeding patterns to avoid competition and ensure sufficient feeding?
Definition
grazing animals eat grass(gazelles), browsing animals eat twigs and leaves(giraffes)
Term
temperate grasslands and types
Definition
bitter cold winters, hot and dry summers, sparce, periodic, uneven precipitation/prairies, pampas, vel, steppesdt
Term
How is arctic tundra affected by humans?
Definition
air and water pollution, vehicles oil production
Term
What is monoculture/does it have negative or positive affect/how
Definition
Planting mile after mile of the same crop in farming/negative/soil becomes prone to erosion, since a certain type of crop uses certain type of nutrient, than nutrient becomes depleted because there are too many same crops planted, much fertilizer is required as substitute of natural nutrient, as well as irrigation
Term
polar grasslands climate and soil
Definition
winters: bitterly cold, frigid winds, snow or ice covering, dry soil because permafrost prevents water from seeping down; summers are short with soggy soil
Term
Describe arctic tundra's vegetation and adaptations
Definition
low to the ground thick spongy mat of grasses, mosses, and shrubs due to cold winds, some evergreens with waxy coating to prevent loss of water and heat
Term
Describe polar grasslands' animals' adaptations and behaviors and give examples
Definition
no hibernation, underground burrows, thick coats of fur or feather, tightly packed bodies to limit exposure/reindeer, wolves, snowy owl
Term
alpina tundra/ how does vegetation here differ from vegetation in arctic tundra
Definition
Occurs on mountains above limit of tree growth, but below permanent snow/vegetation gets more sunlight
Term
chaparral geographic locations/climate
Definition
coastal areas/Mediterranean climate: mild winters, moderate precipitation,long, hot, and dry summers
Term
Describe vegetation of a temperate shrubland
Definition
Dense growth of low evergreen shrubs, leathery leaves that resist water loss, large underground root system, plants store food supple in fire resistant roots as they the biome is prone to fires
Term
what is so special about the reproduction of plants in a charappal
Definition
seeds only sprout after fire that bursts the cone
Term
How do humans impact the tropical and temperate grasslands
Definition
converting grassland into farmland due to thick and fertile soil, release of CO2 by slash and burn agriculture, overgrazing area by livestock(disturbs root system and kills plants)
Term
tropical rainforest/ descriptions on climate
Definition
broadleaf evergreen forest in equitorial region/warm climate year-round, high humidity, heavy precipitation
Term
Which biome and category has the most diversity on Earth/ how many existant land species on Earth does it serve as home for
Definition
forests, rainforests/50-80%
Term
What are the layers of the rain forest-top to bottom/which two absorb most sunlight/ehich one absorbs least sunlight
Definition
emergent layer, canopy, understory, shrub layer, ground layer/emergent and canopy/ground layer
Term
governments owning rainforests encourage or discourage its deforestation/why?
Definition
encorage/money for government from lumber
Term
What type of root do massive rainforest trees have
Definition
Buttress:support
Term
tropical decidious forest sharacteristics of climate
Definition
warm year round, rainfall during wet season(monsoon)
Term
describe the trees of tropical rainforest and compare them to trees of tropical rain forest
Definition
decidious trees(loose leaves to survive dry season), evergreen trees(retain leaves year-round) Canopy is lower
Term
Temperate decidious forest climatic characteristics
Definition
moderate average temperatues, long warm summers, col(not severe winters), abundant precipitation spread even throughout the year
Term
Temerate decidious forest plants
Definition
broadleaf decidious plants that become dormant in winter(shed leaves)
Term
tropical and temperate grasslands and temperate forest can all be turned into farmland because of
Definition
highly nutritious soil
Term
Evergreen coniferous forests(syns.) climate and soil
Definition
boreal forest, taiga/Long, dry and cold winters, sunlight 6-8 hrs a day, short summers, nutrient poor soil:acidic
Term
Evergreen coniferous forest trees
Definition
Coniferous evergreen plants: cone-

bearing trees with needle shaped leaves,

waxy covering
Term
How does temperate rain forest differ from tropical rainforest?
Definition
dense coniferous trees
Term
How do humans impact world's forest
Definition
deforestation for agriculture, livestock, and

timpeb harvesting, urban development,

conversion of forests to tree farms
Term
Dramatic changes occur in mountain

biomes due to
Definition
great change in altitude over short
distance, and therefore great change in
climate, soil, and vegetation
Term
How are mountains valuable abiotic
factors?
Definition
contain majority of world's forests,regulate global climate by reflecting solar radiation (snow tops), playing part in hydrologic cycle
Term
How do humans impact mountain biomes
Definition
timber and mineral extraction,increasing tourism, air pollution from industry - 03 depletion-increased exposure to UV
radiation.
Term
Vegetation _______ as you go up the
mountain.
Definition
decreases
Term
How much in percentage of USA land is set aside for public use(resources, enjoyment) and wildlife/what state mostly
Definition
43%/Alaska
Term
Which two presidents comntributed to the most in the preservation of land for public use and wildlife
Definition
Carter and Clinton
Term
National forest
Definition
Preserved area managed by the principle of multiple use(land could be used for variety of purposes:logging, mimingm farming, recreation with permit) and principle of sustainable yield(resources can't be harvested faster than replenished).
Term
National resource lands
Definition
Land containing major energy source or mineral(uranium, coal)
Term
National wildlife refuge
Definition
area with some land(25%)preserved as wilderness; some land used by public(logging, grazing, hunting...with permit)
Term
National park system
Definition
Half of the land is preserved wilderness for animals; half used for public recreation like camping, hiking, fishing, and boating
Term
national wilderness preservation system
Definition
roadless areas to be almost untouched by Americans except for recreation(camping, hunting, boating, fishing)
Term
Short rotation
Definition
Trees that have a short time growth and are continually cut and replaced for fuel wood and textile threads
Term
long rotation
Definition
type of trees that take 100 yrs to mature; used as furniture wood or plywood
Term
Even aged management vs. uneven aged managment of forest
Definition
Practice of cutting down trees all at once therefore maintaining same size and age of trees/ Practice of cutting down and replanting different aged trees, therefore maintaining different age and size of trees
Term
Decsribe Selective cutting and benefit
Definition
Intermediate or mature trees are selected to be cut in a forest; reduces crowding
Term
Describe shelter wood cutting/benefit
Definition
Removing all mature trees in 2-3 timber harvests over 10yrs/sunlight reaches young plants as a result
Term
seed tree cutting
Definition
Cutting down all, but strong and mature trees, which srop seeds
Term
Which type of forest harvesting is the worst, describe it, and explain why it's the worst
Definition
clear cutting- removal of all trees of the forest in single harvest/causes loss of habitat, cause soil to become susceptible to erosion, reduce biodiversity
Term
strip cutting
Definition
Type of clear-cutting deforestation-cutting strips of trees at a time, in order, allowing regeneration of cut areas and reuse
Term
whole tree harvesting/gove example of downside
Definition
Harvest of whole trees(limbs and twigs are chipped into pulp for paper, big parts of trees are used for building materials /nothing left to replenish soil
Term
How is fire important to certain coniferous trees
Definition
It bursts the cone and releases the seeds that allow coniferous plants to germinate
Term
How does fire affect the soil?
Definition
It returns plan stored nutrients to the soil
Term
Surface fires
Definition
occur close to the ground, burn undergrowth
Term
Which type of fire is the worst, why
Definition
Crown fire, burn whole trees
Term
ground fires
Definition
Fires that proceed underground, smoldering through litter and humus, burning most of organic layer
Term
Fragmentation and its result
Definition
The pattern of increased destruction of habitat by more an more road construsctions and area conversions into farmland or grazeland or mining land...The result is organisms' habitat being limited by borders and the result of its inability to interbreed with organisms of same popuation throughout the forest due to
Term
Prescribed burning
Definition
Method of prevention of natural fires by setting controled ground fires to get rid of flammable material that builds up
Term
presuppression
Definition
early detection and control of fires
Term
suppression
Definition
the fighting of fires once they have started
Term
fire prevention methods besides prescribed burning
Definition
burning permits(when starting fire within 500 ft from grassland, forest, or woodland) closed camping during high fire seasons, Smokey Bear
Term
How can prevention of alll fires lead to the likelihood of higlhy destructive crown fires?
Definition
No fires lead to accumulation of brush, shrubs, and small trees, which make fire grow hotter and spread faster, Developed growth of various aged(height) trees acts as staircase between next ground fire to crown fire. Overall increased density of the forest allows more destructive fires next time(spread easier and burn hotter)
Term
Why would it be unhealthy for the forest located by a city?
Definition
Air pollution is highly concentrated
Term
How are boreal forests affected by global warming
Definition
increased threat of fires in the dry region, change in temperature threatens organisms
Term
How can we promote sustaiable forestry
Definition
recycle more paper
not wasting pulp on production of unnecessary paper(junk mail)
selective sutting and strip cutting
minimizing fragmentation
Leaving debris of cut-down trees to recycle nutrients
evaluate economic value of tree before cut down
Term
What is Healthy Forest Restoration Act and which president issed it?
Definition
A law issued to resist destructive wildfires in order to save lives of firefighters, citizens of communities, threatened and wndangered species, and protect property by reducing tree density and build-up of underbrush and litter/President Bush
Term
what are the negative aspects of Healthy Forest Restoration Act
Definition
It encourages deforestation, which leads to loss of habitat and biodiversity
Term
How do trees benefit us and living things ecologically?
Definition
Intake CO2-#1 green house gas
Provide habitat
Prevent erosion
Nutrients to soil from litter and organic material
Slow down precipitation
Term
How does a Hadley Cell keep cycling?
Definition
warm air as it rises, grows colder and denser due to higher altitude; cold air grows warmer as it descends because of lowering altitude; dense air descends beneath while less dense air ascends atop
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