Exam 23: Terrestrial Ecosystems

Tropical rain forests typically have a thick layer of litter on the forest floor.

More than one-half of all known plant and animal species occur in tropical ________ forests.

Mediterranean climates are characterized by relatively dry summers and wet winters.

Deserts often occur in the rain shadow of mountain ranges.

Identify four Canadian biomes and state their dominant characteristics.

Tundra occurs at high elevations on mountains.

________ is the study of the spatial or geographical distribution of organisms, both past and present.

Discuss the factors that limit the growth of trees in savannahs and grasslands.

In a temperate deciduous forest, the concentration and diversity of animal life is greatest in the

Deciduous trees and shrubs occur in some areas of the tropics.

The highest diversity of plant and animal life occurs in

Conifer forests are dominated by needle-leaf evergreen trees.

Net primary productivity of boreal forest is generally lower than in temperate deciduous forest.

Large grazing ungulates and burrowing animals are most abundant in

Grazing ungulates are relatively common and burrowing rodents are relatively rare in temperate grasslands.

More than half of all known plant and animal species occur in tropical rain forests.

Savannahs typically occur in

Discuss the differences in structure and climate between tropical savannahs and deserts.

In temperate deciduous forests, the greatest concentration and diversity of life occurs in the canopy.

Tundra occurs only at high latitudes in polar regions.