MSC 316 Study Guide - Midterm Guide: Intertropical Convergence Zone, Terra Preta, Alfisol

• School: University of Miami
• Department: Marine Science
• Course: MSC 316
• Professor: Gary Hitchcock

Document Summary

What are the primary abiotic determinants for terrestrial biomes, and why are biomes primarily distributed in an east-west direction across continents: winds control temperature and precipitation. Wind belts determine precipitation rising air creates rainfall. Belts with wind moving towards earth are dry zones; high pressure = descending air. Ultisols: highly weathered, no calcium, red clay soils, very acidic, agriculture requires input of ca, phosphate, and lime, minerals have been leached by high rain. Oxisols: deeply weathered, very acidic, lack organic matter and minerals, hold water, reddish color due to iron and aluminum. Alfisols: mostly in broadleaf forests, not quite as weathered as others, more nutrients, less acidic, only moderately leached: in general rainforest soils are acidic and have low nutrient content. Exception: anthropogenic terra preta soil in amazon. What physiological characteristics are typical of plants on the rainforest floor: shade plants adapted to low light, high humidity, only 5-10% light intensity, reach maximum photosynthesis faster than light plants.