APES Ch 6 (Major Ecosystems of the World) Study Guide
Vocabulary
Biome- large, relatively distinct terrestrial region with a similar climate, soil, plants and animals
regardless of its location in the world
Permafrost- soil that is permanently frozen
Species richness- diversity (number) of species
Primary productivity- the rate at which energy is accumulated in an ecosystem by plants
Monoculture- growing only one species
Desertification- conversion of land to desert
Alpine- mountain
Salinity- salt concentration
Plankton- free-floating organisms in aquatic ecosystems that are carried by currents
Phytoplankton- photosynthetic plankton such as algae and cyanobacteria
Zooplankton- animal plankton such as jellyfish, protozoa, krill, and also larvae of many organisms
including shrimp, crabs, lobsters, barnacles,…
Nekton – organisms that are relatively strong swimmers such as whales, most fish, and turtles
Benthos- bottom-dwelling organisms such as sea cucumber, worms, clams, scallop, sea stars,
lobsters
Headwater streams- small, cool, fast flowing streams that are feed a river and are its source
Flood Plain- flat areas along a river bank that are prone to flooding
Tributaries –rivers which feed into a larger river
Delta- low lying plain formed by sediments deposited at the mouth of a slow-moving river
Limnetic zone- open water farther from shore than the limnetic zone and extending down to the
depth reached by sunlight
Littoral zone- shallow areas around the shore of a lake where light reaches to the bottom
Profundal Zone- deeper areas of a lake which light does not reach
Estuary- area where fresh water and salt water mix
Zooxanthellae- algae that live in the tissues of coral animals and carry out photosynthesis
Intertidal zone –region between low tide and high tide marks
Pelagic Environment – all ocean water from the shoreline to the deep sea floor (divided into the
neritic and oceanic provinces)
Euphotic Zone- zone of the ocean where there is enough light to support photosynthesis
Neritic Province- part of the pelagic environment that overlies the ocean floor from the shoreline to
a depth of 200 m
Oceanic Province- open ocean that does not lie over he continental shelf
Bycatch- fish, birds, sea turtles, dolphins and other organisms unintentionally caught in nets and
other fishing gear
Aquaculture- farming aquatic organisms (mussels, salmon, oysters, etc)
1.
Describe at least three characteristics of the tundra.
2.
List at least three species of wildlife that are characteristic of the tundra.
3.
Describe at least three characteristics of the boreal forest (also known as taiga).
4.
Explain why conifers are well-adapted to the conditions of the boreal forest.
5.
List at least three species of wildlife that are characteristic of the boreal forest.
6.
Describe the location of the temperate rainforests.
7.
Describe conditions in the temperate rainforests.
8.
List at least three species of wildlife characteristic of the temperate rainforest.
9.
Hot summers, cold winters and moderate precipitation are characteristics of this biome.
10.
List at least four tree species that are characteristics of this ecosystem and at least four species
of wildlife.
11.
What conditions determine the type of prairie found in the grasslands (shortgrass or tallgrass)?
12.
Name two factors that prevent prairies from becoming temperate forests.
13.
Describe two characteristics of chaparral vegetation that makes it well-adapted to this biome.
14.
Where in the US can you find chaparral? Where else in the world?
15.
Describe three adaptations of desert plants.
16.
Describe three adaptations of desert animals.
17.
How do day and night temperature compare in the desert?
18.
What conditions are characteristic of savannas?
19.
What is the dominant form of vegetation in savannas?
20.
Describe how vegetation changes with elevation on mountains.
21.
Name two biomes found only in the northern hemisphere.
22.
Choose two biomes and discuss the effects of human activities on those biomes.
23.
Which zone in a lake has the highest productivity?
24.
Water reaches its maximum density at _____ °C.
25.
Describe spring and fall turnovers.
26.
Do spring and fall turnovers occur in all lakes? Explain?
27.
How do spring and fall turnovers affect algae populations?
28.
List at least three ecosystem services provided by wetlands.
29.
What is a mangrove?
30.
Describe the values of salt marshes.
31.
Describe the conditions in which coral reefs are found.
32.
Describe the at least three ways humans affect coral reefs.
33.
Explain why coral reefs are particularly vulnerable to global warming.
34.
What is the primary source of food in the deeper waters of the oceanic province?
35.
Describe what factors led to the severe degradation of the Everglades.
36.
Describe the steps that have been proposed to partially restore the Everglades.