AP Environmental Science Climate Biomes and Ecosystem Ecology

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What is a biome?

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A biome is a large geographic biotic unit, a major community of plants and animals with similar life forms and environmental conditions.

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What are the characteristics of a desert biome?

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Desert biomes are characterized by low precipitation, extreme temperature variations, and vegetation such as cacti and shrubs.

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How do large bodies of water influence climate?

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Large bodies of water moderate the climate by absorbing heat in the summer and releasing it in the winter, influencing the temperature of the air above.

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What is the Coriolis Effect?

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The Coriolis Effect is the deflection of moving objects, such as winds and currents, caused by the rotation of the Earth on its axis.

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What is the significance of ocean currents?

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Ocean currents regulate global climate by distributing heat across the planet, affecting weather patterns and marine ecosystems.

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What factors determine the climate of a region?

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Climate is determined by factors such as latitude, altitude, proximity to water bodies, and prevailing winds.

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What is the difference between weather and climate?

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Weather refers to short-term atmospheric conditions, while climate is the long-term average of weather patterns in a specific area.

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What role do plants play in an ecosystem?

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Plants produce oxygen through photosynthesis, provide food and habitat for animals, and help regulate the water cycle.

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What is biodiversity?

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Biodiversity refers to the variety of life in a particular habitat or ecosystem, including the diversity of species, genetic variation, and ecosystem diversity.

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What are the main types of biomes?

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The main types of biomes include tundra, taiga, temperate forest, grassland, desert, savanna, and aquatic biomes.