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Chapter 35: Problem 17

In which of the biomes are plants unable to grow because the soil is frozen most of the year? a. arctic tundra b. boreal forests c. grasslands d. chapparals

Short Answer

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Arctic Tundra

Step by step solution

01

- Understand the question

Identify the biome where plants struggle to grow due to permanently frozen soil.
02

- Definition of biomes

Recall the definitions and characteristics of each biome listed: arctic tundra, boreal forests, grasslands, and chapparals.
03

- Analyze the Arctic Tundra

Recognize that the Arctic Tundra has permafrost, which means the soil is frozen most of the year, making it difficult for plants to grow.
04

- Compare with other biomes

Examine the other options: boreal forests, grasslands, and chapparals. These biomes do not have permafrost, and thus do not have soil frozen most of the year.
05

- Conclusion

Conclude that the Arctic Tundra is the only biome where the soil remains frozen most of the year, preventing plant growth.

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Key Concepts

These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.

Permafrost
Permafrost is a key feature of certain cold biomes, particularly the Arctic Tundra. It refers to ground, including soil or rock, that remains completely frozen for at least two consecutive years.

This frozen layer can be found both on land and beneath the ocean floor. Essentially, permafrost acts like a barrier, preventing deep roots from penetrating the soil and accessing essential nutrients and water.

As a result, plant growth is severely limited. Only certain hardy species, like mosses, lichens, and low-lying shrubs, have adapted to survive in these harsh conditions by growing close to the surface where the soil might thaw slightly during the brief summer.
Biomes
Biomes are large geographic areas defined by specific climate conditions and distinctive plant and animal communities. Let's explore and compare the different biomes mentioned in the exercise:

  • Arctic Tundra: Characterized by its freezing temperatures and permafrost, making it inhospitable for most plant species.
  • Boreal Forests (Taiga): Found just south of the Arctic Tundra. These forests experience cold winters but have warmer summers that allow for a variety of trees and plants to grow.
  • Grasslands: These biomes have more temperate climates and are primarily covered with grasses. They support many herbivores and their predators. These areas typically do not experience frozen soil.
  • Chaparrals: Located in Mediterranean climates, these areas have hot dry summers and mild wet winters. The vegetation is mostly shrubs and small trees that are adapted to withstand drought conditions.

Each biome has distinctive features that determine the types of plants and animals that can survive there. However, the Arctic Tundra stands out because its permafrost severely limits plant growth.
Plant Growth
Plant growth greatly depends on the quality of soil, availability of nutrients, water, and suitable temperatures. In environments like the Arctic Tundra, these factors are extremely restricted.

  • Soil Quality: In the tundra, the presence of permafrost keeps the soil perpetually frozen, cutting off deep root systems. This prevents the growth of most plants that require more hospitable conditions.
  • Temperature: The consistently low temperatures in these regions mean that even during the short summer months, the ground thaws only slightly. This limited thawing restricts the types and amounts of vegetation that can grow.
  • Nutrient Availability: The frozen ground and lack of decomposed organic matter imply fewer nutrients in the soil, further making it difficult for plants to thrive.

Hardy species like mosses, lichens, and certain shrubs have adapted by developing shallow root systems and short growth cycles to maximize the brief growing period. Instructor Note: Understanding the interplay of these factors can help students appreciate why certain biomes, like the Arctic Tundra, have such unique and limited plant life.

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Most popular questions from this chapter

Define and give an example of organismal, population and community ecology a. Organismal ecology includes the study of the number of individuals in an area as well as how and why population size changes over time, such as a study of the drop in antelope population. Population ecology includes the study of adaptations that enable individuals to live in specific habitats, such as a study of the use of opposable thumbs. Community ecology includes the study of the processes and consequences of interactions within and among different species in an area, such as a study of interactions between wolves and deer. b. Organismal ecology includes the study of the processes and consequences of interactions within and among different species in an area, such as a study of the interactions between wolves and deer. Population ecology includes the study of the number of individuals in an area as well as how and why population size changes over time, such as a study of the drop in antelope population. Community ecology includes the study of adaptations that enable individuals to live in specific habitats, such as a study of the use of opposable thumbs. c. Organismal ecology includes the study of adaptations that enable individuals to live in specific habitats, such as a study of the use of opposable thumbs. Population ecology includes the study of the number of individuals in an area as well as how and why population size changes over time, such as a study of the drop in antelope population. Community ecology includes studies of the processes and consequences of interactions within and among different species in an area, such as a study of the interactions between wolves and deer. d. Organismal ecology includes studies of the adaptations that enable individuals to live in specific habitats, such as a study of the use of opposable thumbs. Population ecology includes studies of the processes and consequences of interactions within and among different species in an area, such as a study of the interactions between wolves and deer. Community ecology includes studies of the number of individuals in an area as well as how and why population size changes over time, such as a study of the drop in antelope population.

The American white pelican migrates from North America to Central America in the winter months. Give three reasons why these birds follow an annual migration pattern. a. The American white pelican follows an annual migration pattern in search of suitable mates, warmer climates, and suitable habitat. Warmer climates help them in maintaining a constant body temperature. b. The American white pelican follows an annual migration pattern in search of food, salt water, and cooler climates. Cooler climates help these birds in reproduction. c. The American white pelican follows an annual migration pattern in search of food, warmer climates, and suitable habitat. Warmer climates help them in maintaining a constant body temperature. d. The American white pelican follows an annual migration pattern in search of warmer climates only. Warmer climates help them in maintaining a constant body temperature.

Define and describe community ecology. Give an example a. It is the study of the number of individuals of one species in an area as well as how and why the number changes over time. An example would be counting the number of individuals of the Karner blue butterfly, a federally endangered species whose population density is highly influenced by the abundance of wild lupine. b. It is the study of the processes and consequences of interactions within and among different species within an area. An example would be the work of scientists who work in a marsh studying the various interactions of several populations of birds, crabs, and grasses without studying the water or air quality. c. It is the study of the physiological, morphological, and behavioral adaptations that enable individuals to live in specific habitats. An example would be the work of scientists who work in a marsh studying the various interactions of several populations of birds, crabs, and grasses without studying the water or air quality. d. It is the study of the processes and consequences of interactions within and among different species within an area. An example would be counting the number of individuals of the Karner blue butterfly, a federally endangered species whose population density is highly influenced by the abundance of wild lupine.

What are possible short-term and long-term effects of natural and human- induced processes on global climate change and, consequently, ecosystems? a. Short term changes include melting of glaciers, rise in levels of water bodies which may cover islands close to sea level, destroying the local ecosystem and animals, and so on. Long-term changes experienced could include changes in seasonal patterns, unseasonal rainfall, and changes in the life cycle of insects. b. Short term changes include changes in seasonal patterns, unseasonal rainfall, changes in the life cycle of insects and animals, and so on. Longterm changes could be change in flowering times of flowers, and the rise in levels of water bodies, which may cover islands close to sea level, destroying the local ecosystem. c. Short-term changes include changes in seasonal patterns,unseasonal rainfall, changes in the life cycle of insects and animals, and so on. Longterm changes could be melting of glaciers, and a rise in levels of water bodies which may cover islands close to sea level, destroying the local ecosystem. d. Short term changes include melting of glaciers, unseasonal rainfall, changes in the life cycle of insects and animals, etc. Long-term changes could be rise in levels of water bodies which may cover islands close to sea level, destroying the local ecosystem.

The extremely low precipitation of subtropical desert biomes might lead one to expect fire to be a major disturbance factor. However, fire is more common in the temperate grassland biome than in the sub tropic desert biome. Why is this? a. Due to higher net primary productivity, biomass in deserts is significantly more than in temperate grassland biomes. However, it is easier for fire to spread in grasslands as they are found in abundance. b. Due to lower net primary productivity, biomass in deserts is significantly less than in temperate grassland biomes. It is easier for fire to spread in grasslands as they are found in abundance. c. Due to lower net primary productivity, biomass in deserts is significantly less than in temperate grassland biomes. It is easier for fire to spread in grasslands as they have very low precipitation and high temperatures. d. Due to higher net primary productivity, biomass in deserts is significantly more than in temperate grassland biomes. However, it is easier for fire to spread in grasslands as they have very low precipitation and high temperatures.
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