UNIT 5 Chapter 15 The Biosphere

1. UNIT 5 Chapter 15 The Biosphere

2. UNIT 5: ECOLOGY Chapter 15: The Biosphere I. Life in the Earth System (15.1) A. The biosphere is the portion of the Earth that is inhabited by life 1. Biosphere- part of Earth where life exists a. Includes all living and non-living parts b. Biota- collection of just living things in biosphere

3. a. Includes all living and non-living parts b. Biota- collection of just living things in biosphere

4. 2. Earth has 4 major connected systems a. Biosphere b. Hydrosphere- all of Earth’s water, ice, water vapor c. Atmosphere- the air blanketing Earth’s solid and liquid surface d. Geosphere- features of Earth’s surface (continents, rocks, sea floor, and everything below Earth’s surface

5. B. Biotic and Abiotic factors interact in the biosphere 1. All four of Earth’s systems are connected to another 2. Gaia hypothesis- Earth itself is kind of a “living organism”

6. II. Climate (15.2) A. Climate is the prevailing weather of a region 1. Weather- day to day conditions 2. Climate- long term pattern of weather conditions

7. 2. Climate- long term pattern of weather conditions

8. B. Key factors that shape an area’s climate 1. temperature- key factor 2. sunlight 3. water (moisture)- key factor 4. wind

9. western slope eastern slope 4. Landmasses- also shape climate a. Coastal areas tend to have smaller changes in temperature (moderated by oceans) b. Mountains have large effect on climate- causes precipitation

10. 5. Adaptation to Climate- Many organisms adapted to survive in specific climate

11. III. Biomes (15.3) A. Earth has 6 major biomes- Each biome characterized by certain set of abiotic factors, ecosystems

12. Source: World Meteorological Organization 1. Tropical Rain Forest Biome- warm temperatures, abundant precipitation all year, lush forests

13. 2. Grassland Biome- primary plant life is grass. Occurs in variety of climates

14.  3. Desert Biome- arid environment, little precipitation, four types: hot, semi-arid, coastal, and cold

15. 4. Temperate Forests- Include deciduous forests and rain forests. Temperate deciduous forests have hot summers and cold winters. Deciduous trees are the dominant plant species

16. 5. Taiga- Found in cool northern climates. Long winters, short summers. Small amount of precipitation

17. 6. Tundra- Far northern latitudes with long winters (10 months) limited precipitation, permafrost

18. 7. Minor biomes- example: chaparral- hot, dry summers and cool, moist winters

19. B. Polar ice caps and mountains are not considered biomes 1. Polar ice caps- have no soil and do not have specific plant community a. Found at poles (north and south) b. Most animals depend on sea for food

20. IV. Marine Ecosystems (15.4) A. The ocean can be divided into zones 1. Ocean Zones

21. b. Divided between areas that receive light (photic zone) and those that do not (aphotic zone) photic zone aphotic zone

22. V. Estuaries and Freshwater Ecosystems (15.5) A. Estuaries are dynamic environments where rivers flow into the ocean 1. Estuary- partially enclosed body of water formed where a river flows into the ocean

23. a. Mix of fresh and salt water b. River carries lots of nutrients c. Large numbers of species thrive and are highly productive ecosystems d. Provide refuge for many species and spawning grounds e. Over 80% of estuaries have been lost to land development

24. B. Freshwater ecosystems include moving and standing water 1. Freshwater ecosystems- rivers, streams, wetlands 2. among most productive ecosystems on Earth

25. C. Ponds and lakes share common features 1. Smaller in size than oceans, but also divided into zones

26. Chapter 15 The Biosphere

27. The average year-after-year conditions of temperature and precipitation in a particular region is the region’s a. weather. b. latitude. c. ecosystem. d. climate.

28. The average year-after-year conditions of temperature and precipitation in a particular region is the region’s a. weather. b. latitude. c. ecosystem. d. climate.

29. The Earth’s climate is, in part, created by the interplay of a. temperatures, ecosystems, and wind. b. landmasses, the atmosphere, and the ocean. c. weather, heat transport, and the environment. d. solar radiation, surface temperatures, and biomes.

30. The Earth’s climate is, in part, created by the interplay of a. temperatures, ecosystems, and wind. b. landmasses, the atmosphere, and the ocean. c. weather, heat transport, and the environment. d. solar radiation, surface temperatures, and biomes.

31. The loss of heat to space is slowed by a. radiation entering the atmosphere. b. atmospheric gases. c. solar energy. d. the biosphere.

32. The loss of heat to space is slowed by a. radiation entering the atmosphere. b. atmospheric gases. c. solar energy. d. the biosphere.

33. The greenhouse effect is a. the result of an excess of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. b. a natural phenomenon that maintains Earth’s temperature range. c. the result of the differences in the angle of the sun’s rays. d. an unnatural phenomenon that causes heat energy to be radiated back into the atmosphere.

34. The greenhouse effect is a. the result of an excess of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. b. a natural phenomenon that maintains Earth’s temperature range. c. the result of the differences in the angle of the sun’s rays. d. an unnatural phenomenon that causes heat energy to be radiated back into the atmosphere.

35. Earth has three main climate zones because of the differences in latitude and a. amount of solar energy received. b. angle of heating. c. ocean currents. d. prevailing winds.

36. Earth has three main climate zones because of the differences in latitude and a. amount of solar energy received. b. angle of heating. c. ocean currents. d. prevailing winds.

37. Cool air over the poles will a. rise. b. sink. c. absorb heat from the equator. d. flow parallel to Earth’s surface.

38. Cool air over the poles will a. rise. b. sink. c. absorb heat from the equator. d. flow parallel to Earth’s surface.

39. The unequal heating of Earth’s surface a. drives wind and ocean currents. b. causes winds that transport heat throughout the biosphere. c. has important effects on Earth’s climate regions. d. all of the above

40. Each of the following is an abiotic factor in the environment EXCEPT a. plant life. b. soil type. c. rainfall. d. temperature.

41. Each of the following is an abiotic factor in the environment EXCEPT a. plant life. b. soil type. c. rainfall. d. temperature.

42. Which is a biotic factor that affects the size of a population in a specific ecosystem? a. average temperature of the ecosystem b. type of soil in the ecosystem c. number and kinds of predators in the ecosystem d. concentration of oxygen in the ecosystem

43. Which is a biotic factor that affects the size of a population in a specific ecosystem? a. average temperature of the ecosystem b. type of soil in the ecosystem c. number and kinds of predators in the ecosystem d. concentration of oxygen in the ecosystem

44. An organism’s niche is a. the way the organism uses the range of physical and biological conditions in which it lives. b. all the physical and biological factors in the organism’s environment. c. the range of temperatures that the organism needs to survive. d. a full description of the place an organism lives.

45. An organism’s niche is a. the way the organism uses the range of physical and biological conditions in which it lives. b. all the physical and biological factors in the organism’s environment. c. the range of temperatures that the organism needs to survive. d. a full description of the place an organism lives.

46. Several species of warblers can live in the same spruce tree ONLY because they a. have different habitats within the tree. b. eat different foods within the tree. c. occupy different niches within the tree. d. can find different temperatures within the tree.

47. Several species of warblers can live in the same spruce tree ONLY because they a. have different habitats within the tree. b. eat different foods within the tree. c. occupy different niches within the tree. d. can find different temperatures within the tree.

48. An interaction in which one organism captures and feeds on another organism is called a. competition. b. sybiosis. c. mutualism. d. predation.

49. An interaction in which one organism captures and feeds on another organism is called a. competition. b. sybiosis. c. mutualism. d. predation.

50. Different species can share the same habitat, but competition among them is reduced if they a. reproduce at different times. b. eat less. c. move away. d. occupy different niches.