Biomes and Aquatic Ecosystems

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Biome Noun

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[by-ohm]

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Biome

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A regional climate community described by its abiotic factors, such as climate and soil, and its biotic factors.

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Example: This map shows how a large land area like a country can be divided into several different biomes, each with its own distinct environment.

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Abiotic factors Noun

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[ay-by-ot-ik fak-ters]

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Abiotic factors

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The non-living chemical and physical components of an ecosystem, such as climate, soil, temperature, and precipitation.

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Example: This image shows examples of abiotic factors—the non-living parts of an ecosystem—such as sunlight, water, rocks, soil, temperature, and wind.

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Biotic factors Noun

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[by-ot-ik fak-ters]

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Biotic factors

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The living or once-living organisms within an ecosystem, including all plant and animal life.

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Example: This image shows that biotic factors are all the living parts of an ecosystem, including animals, plants, fungi, and microorganisms like bacteria and protists.

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Canopy Noun

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[kan-uh-pee]

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Canopy

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The dense, leafy covering formed by the tops of tall trees in a forest, located high above the forest floor.

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Example: This diagram shows the canopy layer as the dense roof of treetops in a forest, located below the emergent layer and above the understory.

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Understory Noun

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[un-der-stor-ee]

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Understory

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The layer of shorter trees and vines that grow in the shade beneath the forest canopy.

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Example: This diagram shows the understory as the layer of shrubs and small plants growing beneath the taller trees of the overstory in a forest biome.

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Epiphytic plants Noun

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[ep-uh-fit-ik plants]

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Epiphytic plants

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Plants that grow on the branches of other tall plants to take advantage of available sunlight without being parasitic.

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Example: This image shows epiphytic plants growing on the branches of a host tree in a forest biome, using the tree for support only.

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Chaparral Noun

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[shap-uh-ral]

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Chaparral

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A shrubland community characterized by dense, low plants containing flammable oils, common in temperate woodland biomes.

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Example: This image shows a chaparral biome, characterized by a hot, dry climate (sun), drought-resistant shrubs, and wildlife like deer that have adapted to the environment.

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Coniferous Adjective

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[koh-nif-er-uhs]

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Coniferous

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A type of tree that produces seed-bearing cones and typically has needle-like or scale-like leaves.

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Example: Coniferous trees, like the pine, spruce, and fir shown, are a group of plants that have needle-like leaves and produce cones.

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Deciduous Adjective

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[dih-sij-oo-uhs]

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Deciduous

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A type of tree or shrub that sheds its leaves annually, usually during a cold winter or a dry season.

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Example: This image shows a deciduous forest biome where trees change color in the fall before losing their leaves for the winter.

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Humus Noun

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[hyoo-muhs]

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Humus

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A fertile material in soil formed from decaying leaves and other organic matter.

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Example: This diagram shows humus as the top, dark, organic-rich layer of soil where plants grow, situated above the topsoil, subsoil, and bedrock.