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AP Environmental Science Biomes Flashcards

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7784775752Temperate Deciduous Forest-Cool Winters, Warm Summers (Seasonal Variation) -Precipitation is relatively evenly spread throughout the year -Deciduous Trees (Oak, Beech) -Europe, China, Eastern North America -Northern Hemisphere -Good Soils0
7784775753Temperate Grassland-Cool Winters, Warm Summers (seasonal variation is more extreme than temperate deciduous forests) -Limited amount of precipitation -Frequent fires (no trees) -Also called prairie or steppe -Northern Hemisphere -North America, Middle East, Europe, Asia -Very fertile soils (used for agriculture)1
7784775754Temperate Rainforest-Cool Winters, Warm Summers (Seasonal Variation) -Large amount of precipitation (Less rain in winters) -Coniferous Trees -Provide lumber and paper -Northern Hemisphere -East coast of North America and Canada -Fertile soils that are susceptible to land slides and erosion if forests are cleared2
7784775755Tropical Rainforest-Warm all year round -Very high amount of precipitation (300-500 mm per month) -Southern Hemisphere -Central America, Africa, South America, Southeast Asia -Great Biodiversity -Poor, thin soils3
7784775756Tropical Dry Forest/Tropical Deciduous Forest-Warm all year round -Extreme wet and dry seasons -Wet summer (October to April) and dry winter (May, June, July, August, September) -Southern Hemisphere -India, Africa, South America, northern Australia -Erosion-prone soils4
7784775757Savanna (Tropical Grasslands)-Slight seasonal variation (warmer in summer) -Extreme wet and dry seasons -Wet Summer (not as wet as tropical dry forest) -Southern Hemisphere -Isolated Trees -Africa, South America, India, Australia -Zebras, Giraffes, Gazelles5
7784775758Desert-Driest Biome -Barely an rainfall -Slight seasonal variation -Saline soils -Little Vegetation -Temperatures drop at night -Northern Hemisphere -Africa, Mexico, Middle East, Asia6
7784775759Tundra-Coldest Biome -Warmer in summers, but still cold (5 degrees celsius) -Freezing in winters (-20 degrees celsius) -Northern Hemisphere -Dry -Slightly wet summers -Soil is permanently frozen (permafrost) -Also occurs as alpine tundra at the tops of mountains -Northern Europe, Northern Canada, Northern Asia, Greenland7
7784775760Boreal Forest/Taiga/Coniferous Forest-Largest Biome -Northern Hemisphere -Coniferous Trees (Pinecones) -Cold. Cooler in summers (never above 20 degrees Celsius) -Moderate Precipitation -More wet in summer than winter -Poor soils -Moose, Wolves, Lynx, Bears -Northern Europe, Canada, Northern Asia8
7784775761Chaparral-Densely thicketed -Highly seasonal -Cool, wet winters and warm, dry summers -Induced by oceanic influences -Northern Hemisphere -California, Chile, Australia -Frequent fires9
7850275018Rain shadow effectAn area having relatively little precipitation due to the effect of a topographic barrier, especially a mountain range, that causes the prevailing winds to lose their moisture on the windward side, causing the leeward side to be dry.10
7850282567Climatethe weather conditions prevailing in an area in general or over a long period11
7850287308WeatherThe daily conditions of the atmosphere in terms of temperature, atmospheric pressure, wind, and moisture.12
7850297378biomelarge land regions with certain types of climate and dominant plant life13
7850309634EquatorGreater biodiversity occurs in this region of the world14
7850329090Theodore RooseveltEstablished the first national park in 187215
7850337317Yellowstone National ParkFirst national park established by Theodore Roosevelt16
7850340955John MuirInfluential in establishing national parks such as Yosemite and Sequoia National Park17
7856826407El NinoWarming of the Equatorial Pacific Ocean First, the trade winds near South America weaken. This weakening reduces the amount of water being "pushed west" allowing warm equatorial water from the western Pacific to move eastward toward the west coast of South America. The lack of winds and the movement of warm water and air toward South America suppresses upwelling off the coast of Peru and decreases productivity there, reducing fish populations near the coast.18
7856827581La NinaCooling of the Equatorial Pacific Ocean First, the trade winds near South America increase. This strengthening increases the amount of water being "pushed west" The increase in winds and the movement of warm water and air toward Asia increases upwelling off the coast of Peru and increases productivity there, increasing fish populations near the coast.19
7856830913Upwellingas the surface currents separate from one another, deeper waters rise and replace the water that has moved away. This upward movement of water brings nutrients from the ocean bottom that supports the large populations of producers, which in turn support large populations of fish.20
7856832474Effects of El NinoEastern Pacific (South America): Increased rainfall (erosion, mudslides) and heat Increased infectious disease Decrease in fish stock due to upwelling cutoff Western Pacific (Asia/Australia): Drought (fires, loss of crops) Can also increase number of Atlantic hurricanes21
7856833209Effects of La NinaEastern Pacific (South America): Drought (fires, loss of crops) Western Pacific (Asia/Australia): Increased rainfall (erosion, mudslides) and heat Increased infectious disease Decrease in fish stock due to upwelling cutoff Can also decrease number of Atlantic hurricanes22

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