BIOL 2050 Chapter Notes - Chapter 3: Soil Fertility, Sugar Glider, Flying Squirrel
29 Mar 2016
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Concept 3. 1 terrestrial biomes characterized by growth forms of the dominant vegetation. Biosphere- zone of life on earth between lithosphere (the crust) and the troposphere (lowest layer of atmosphere) 4 things to consider when defining terrestrial biomes: average temperature, average rainfall (or other precipitation) Both average temp and rainfall predict biome distribution and types of animals and plants in the region. Dictates primary productive levels (amount of organic matter producted) Also affects numbers and types of primary producer: temperature patterns (constant/seasonal, rainfall patterns (constant/seasonal) Biomes- large scale plant and animal communities shaped by the climate. Plants are good indicators of the physical environment reflecting climatic conditions and past disturbances. Distribution of these biomes determined by global climatic zones: major deserts in high pressure zones of 30n and s. Selection pressures- solar radiation, extreme temperatures, grazing, crowding, aridity pressures plants to respond in order to survive. Convergent evolution evolutionary adaptations due to similar pressure (ex.
