Page 705 - Geosystems An Introduction to Physical Geography 4th Canadian Edition

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Chapter 20 Terrestrial Biomes 669
in the new ecosystem, some species may disrupt native ecosystems and become invasive species.
invasive species (p. 646)
5. Give several examples of invasive species described in the text, and describe their impact on natural systems.
6. What happened in the waters of Tristan da Cunha? Why was this subject first introduced in Chapter 6 of the text and then concluded in this chapter? What are the linkages between the chapters? What economic damage might evolve in Tristan’s marine ecosystems?
■ Summarize the characteristics of Earth’s 10 major terrestrial biomes, and locate them on a world map.
For an overview of Earth’s 10 major terrestrial biomes and their vegetation characteristics, soil orders, climate-type designations, annual precipitation ranges, temperature pat- terns, and water-balance characteristics, review Table 20.1. The tropical rainforest biome is undergoing rapid deforesta- tion. Because the rain forest is Earth’s most diverse biome and is important to the climate system, this loss is creating great concern among citizens, scientists, and nations.
tropical rain forest (p. 647)
tropical seasonal forest and scrub (p. 651) tropical savanna (p. 651)
midlatitude broadleaf and mixed forest (p. 654) boreal forest (p. 655)
needleleaf forest (p. 655)
taiga (p. 655)
montane forest (p. 655)
temperate rain forest (p. 657)
Mediterranean shrubland (p. 658)
chaparral (p. 658)
midlatitude grassland (p. 659)
warm desert and semidesert (p. 659)
cold desert and semidesert (p. 659)
polar desert (p. 659)
arctic tundra (p. 661)
alpine tundra (p. 661)
7. Using the integrative chart in Table 20.1 and the world map in Figure 20.7, select any two biomes and study the correlation of vegetation characteristics, soil, moisture, and climate with their spatial distribution. Then contrast the two using each characteristic.
8. Describe the tropical rain forests. Why is the rainfor- est floor somewhat clear of plant growth? Why is log- ging of individual tree species so difficult there?
9. What issues surround the deforestation of the rain forest? What is the impact of these losses on the rest of the biosphere? What new threat to the rain forest has emerged?
10. What do Caatinga, Chaco, brigalow, and dornveld refer to? Explain.
11. Describe the role of fire in the tropical savanna biome and in the midlatitude broadleaf and mixed forest biome.
12. Why does the boreal forest biome not exist in the Southern Hemisphere, except in mountainous regions? Where is this biome located in the Northern Hemi- sphere, and what is its relationship to climate type?
13. In which biome do we find Earth’s tallest trees? Which biome is dominated by small, stunted plants, lichens, and mosses?
14. What type of vegetation predominates in the Mediterranean (dry summer) climate? Describe the adaptations necessary for these plants to survive.
15. What is the significance of the 98th meridian in terms of North American grassland? What types of inventions enabled agriculture in this grassland?
16. Describe some of the unique adaptations of xerophytes. 17. What types of plants and animals are found in the
tundra biome?
18. As an example of shifting-climate impacts, we
tracked temperature and precipitation conditions for Illinois in Geosystems Now in Chapter 19. What impacts do you think climate change will have on biomes in the United States and in other countries?
■ Discuss strategies for ecosystem management and biodiversity conservation.
Efforts are under way worldwide to set aside and protect remaining representative sites within most of Earth’s principal biomes. Principles of island biogeography used in the study of isolated ecosystems are important in setting up biosphere reserves. Island communities are special places for study because of their spatial isolation and the relatively small number of species present. Protection of aquatic ecosystems includes the designa- tion of large marine ecosystems (LMEs). In reality, few undisturbed biomes exist in the world, for most have been modified by human activity. The new concept of anthropogenic biomes considers the impacts of human settlement, agriculture, and forest practices on vegeta- tion patterns.
island biogeography (p. 664)
large marine ecosystem (LME) (p. 664) anthropogenic biome (p. 665)
19. Describe the theory of island biogeography. How has this theory been important for preserving biodiver- sity? What are the goals of a biosphere reserve?
20. What are threats to coastal aquatic ecosystems? Name an example of a protected large marine ecosystem in Canada.
21. Describe the concept of anthropogenic biomes. According to the categories presented on the map in The Human Denominator 20, how would you classify the area in which you live?