Exam 23: Terrestrial Ecosystems

Leaves that live for more than a year are classified as ________.

The vegetation formation dominated by needle-leaf evergreen trees and occurring at high latitudes or high elevations where growth is restricted to a few months of the year due to low temperatures is referred to as

Similar climates produce similar vegetation structure around the world.

Frozen, treeless plains dominated by sedges, heaths, and willows at high latitudes and elevations are referred to as ________.

The independent evolution of a similar characteristic in two different species, not derived from a recent, common ancestor is referred to as

Explain why the soils of rain forests are poor for agriculture.

Biogeography is the study of the distribution and abundance of organisms.

Buttresses, which are broad outgrowths at the base of trees, are best developed in

Which of the following allocates the greatest amount of biomass to photosynthetic tissue and the least amount to supportive tissue?

Describe the soil conditions in boreal forest and how vegetation affects and is affected by the soil conditions.

Plants that root and grow on other plants in the tropical rain forest are called

A ________ climate is characterized by hot, dry summers and cool, moist winters.

Identify the four type of Canadian grasslands. Where are they located and why are they in those locations?

Which of the following is the predominant leaf form of environments where the growing season is very short or where nutrient availability severely constrains photosynthesis and plant growth?

The vegetation of tundra is dominated by

In the tropical latitudes, the length of the dry season increases with distance from the equator.

Arid environments that occur in the rainshadow of mountain barriers or are located far inland where moist maritime air rarely penetrates are referred to as ________.

A belt of coniferous forest, known as taiga, or ________ forest, occurs in the high latitudes of the Northern Hemisphere.

Temperate shrublands are the dominant biomes in regions with a Mediterranean climate.

Describe the climatic and topographic factors that favour the formation of deserts.