EVSC 111 Lecture - Spring 2002

Exam #2: Study Summary

Unit 2: Terrestrial Ecosystems

Ecosystems, Biomes, Succession

• what is an ecosystem?
• what are the two main categories of ecosystems?
• what is meant by the "role of climatic similarity"?
• what is a biome?
• what do we need to know to be able to predict the type of biome that will be found in a particular area?
• if we know what type of biome is found in an area, what characteristics of that area can we approximate?
• what two key physical factors interact to affect the distribution of biomes?
• which two climatic factors are most important in determining the distribution of biomes?
• why are there variations in the earth's climate?
• why are the tropics warmer?
• geographically, where is precipitation generally lower and why?
• generally, where are the great deserts of the world located?
• geographically, where is precipitation generally higher and why?
• what is the rain shadow effect and why does it occur?
• how does temperature vary with latitude?
• where do the highest mean global temperatures occur?
• how are the variations in temperature with altitude and with latitude similar?
• what is succession?
• what is a climax community?
• what are the characteristics of a climax community?
• what are the two major type of succession?
• what are factors that affect the rate and direction of primary terrestrial succession?
• what is a pioneer community?
• what are the characteristics of a pioneer community?
• what is the dominant organism in a pioneer community?
• what is a lichen?
• what is a seral stage?
• what is a sere?
• how do the characteristics of soil, in general, change as succession proceeds?
• what are the seven major biomes of the world discussed in class?
• generally, what are the characteristics of the desert biome and where are desert biomes found?
• generally, what are the characteristics of the grassland biome and where are grassland biomes found?
• generally, what are the characteristics of the savanna biome and where are savanna biomes found?
• generally, what are the characteristics of the tropical rainforest biome and where are tropical rainforest biomes found?
• generally, what are the characteristics of the temperate deciduous forest biome and where are temperate deciduous forest biomes found?
• generally, what are the characteristics of the taiga or boreal forest biome and where are taiga or boreal forest biomes found?
• generally, what are the characteristics of the tundra biome and where are tundra biomes found?

Forests

• approximately what percentage of the total acreage in the US is forested?
• in general, how does the distribution of US forestlands vary geographically?
• in general, how has the quantity of forestland in the US changed since the time of the early settlers until the present?
• approximately what percentage of US forestlands are privately owned?
• in terms of landscape ecology, what is meant by a landscape mosaic?
• what are the four generally recognized strata in the vertical structure of a forest?
• what is forest management?
• what are the two approaches to wildlife management?
• what are corridors and why are they important for wildlife?
• what is habitat fragmentation and why is it detrimental to wildlife?
• what are the major issues affecting US forests?

Soils

• what are geologic processes that build erode the earth's surface?
• what are the physical, chemical and biological factors involved in soil formation?
• what is humus and what role does it play in soil fertility?
• what is soil texture?
• what is soil structure?
• how do soil texture and soil structure influence soil atmosphere and water content?
• what role do living organisms play in soil formation?
• what are the various layers in a soil profile?
• how are wind and water involved in soil erosion?
• what is the crust of the earth?
• what is the mantle of the earth?
• what are plate tectonics?
• what tends to occur at places where plates meet?
• what is weathering?
• what is mechanical weathering?
• what is chemical weathering?
• what is erosion?
• what is the difference between the terms land and soil?
• what is parent material?
• what is humus?
• what are the basic components of soil and what are their relative percentages?