Chapter 3 Outline
Case Study: The American Serengeti: Twelve Centuries of Change in the Great Plains
Terrestrial Biomes
CONCEPT 3.1 Terrestrial biomes are characterized by the dominant growth forms of vegetation.
- Terrestrial biomes reflect global patterns of precipitation and temperature
- The potential distributions of terrestrial biomes differ from their actual distributions due to human activities
- Biological communities in mountains occur in elevational bands
Freshwater Biological Zones
CONCEPT 3.2 Biological zones in freshwater systems are associated with the velocity, depth, and chemistry of the water.
- Biological communities in streams and rivers vary with stream size and location within the stream channel
- Biological communities in lakes vary with depth and light penetration
Marine Biological Zones
CONCEPT 3.3 Marine biological zones are determined by ocean depth, light availability, and the stability of the bottom substratum.
- Nearshore zones reflect the influence of tides and substratum stability
- Shallow ocean zones are diverse and productive
- Open ocean and deep benthic zones are determined by light availability and proximity to the bottom
Case Study Revisited: The American Serengeti: Twelve Centuries of Change in the Great Plains
Connections in Nature: Long-Term Ecological Research
