Learning Objective Recognize distinguishing characteristics of Mediterranean (Chaparral) & plant adaptations of the biome. The Mediterranean ecosystem occurs only in five relatively small areas around the planet: the area bordering the Mediterranean Sea, central Chile, the Cape region of South…
Learning Objective Recognize distinguishing characteristics of Deserts & plant adaptations of the biome. Subtropical deserts exist between 15o and 30o north and south latitude and are centered on the Tropic of Cancer and the Tropic of Capricorn. Deserts are frequently located on the…
Learning Objective Recognize distinguishing characteristics of savannas & plant adaptations of the biome. Savannas are rolling grasslands scattered with shrubs and isolated trees. Not enough rain falls on a savanna to support forests. Savannas are also known as tropical grasslands. They…
Learning Objective Recognize distinguishing characteristics of tropical deciduous rainforests & plant adaptations of the biome. This biome is distinguished by seasonal rainfall and a constant warm temperature throughout the year. There are two seasons in this biome, are often referred…
Learning Objective Also referred to as tropical wet forest, this biome is found in equatorial regions. Tropical rainforests are the most diverse terrestrial biome. This biodiversity is still largely unknown to science and is under extraordinary threat primarily through logging…
Learning Objective The Identify the role of temperature and percipitation play on distribution of biomes. Biomes are large-scale environments that are distinguished by characteristic vegetation and climate (Figure ). Biomes are also characterized by the animals and other organisms there, which are…
Learning Objective Identify the two major abiotic factors that determine terrestrial biomes. Plants are main components of terrestrial ecosystems as they are primary producers. Almost all terrestrial life if based on the types of plants found in the area. These…
A biome is a large geographical area characterized by climate and vegetation. Biomes may be terrestrial or aquatic, but this chapter will focus only on terrestrial biomes. Terrestrial biomes are characterized by their plant life. The types of plants depend on the…
Biodiversity exists at multiple levels of organization, including ecosystem diversity, species diversity, and genetic diversity. Biodiversity is negatively correlated with latitude for most taxa, meaning that biodiversity is higher in the tropics. The core threats to biodiversity are human population…
Learning Objectives The field of conservation focuses on preserving biodiversity. Effective conservation depends on ecological knowledge. Today, the main efforts to preserve biodiversity involve legislative approaches to regulate human and corporate behavior, setting aside protected areas, and ecosystem restoration. Additionally, citizen science,…