Exam 23: Terrestrial Ecosystems

Describe four types of leaf forms and the characteristics of the environment in which each leaf type typically occurs.

Rainfall is greater in temperate deciduous forests than in temperate shrublands and grasslands.

Deserts are typically hot throughout the year because most are located near the equator.

Deciduous leaves usually live for more than a single year or growing season.

Trees, shrubs, and grasses are the dominant plant forms used to classify ecosystems.

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

The diversity of plant and animal life is higher in tropical savannahs than in any other terrestrial biome.

The largest and most continuous region of tropical rain forest in the world is in South America.

A classification of plant formations and associated animal life into biotic units based on the predominant plant types, with at least eight major terrestrial types, is referred to as a(n)

Tropical ________ refers to vegetation in the drier tropics and subtropics that is dominated by a ground cover of grasses with scattered shrubs or trees.

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

The largest terrestrial biome on Earth is the

Classification of the world's major terrestrial biomes is based on the dominant forms of plant life.

The dry forests of tropical regions are referred to as tropical savannahs.

Leaves that live for only a single year or growing season are classified as ________.

A(n)________ is a classification of plant formations and associated animal life into biotic units based on the predominant plant types, with at least eight major terrestrial types.

The dominant biome in Mediterranean climates with hot, dry summers and cool, moist winters is

The study of the distributions of organisms, past and present, is referred to as

Discuss the differences in structure and climate between tropical rain forest and dry tropical forest.

The taiga covers ________ of Canada's landmass.