Ch 6 Biomes & Aquatic Ecosystems

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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 is an aquatic ecosystem?

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An aquatic ecosystem is a water-based environment that supports a community of organisms, including freshwater and marine ecosystems.

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What is the photic zone?

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The photic zone is the upper layer of a body of water where sunlight penetrates, allowing photosynthesis to occur.

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What is the aphotic zone?

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The aphotic zone is the layer of a body of water where sunlight does not penetrate, preventing photosynthesis.

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What are primary consumers?

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Primary consumers are organisms that eat primary producers (plants) to obtain energy.

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What is the benthic zone?

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The benthic zone is the lowest ecological zone in a body of water, consisting of the sediment surface and sub-surface layers.

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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 refers to long-term average weather patterns in a region.

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What role do producers play in an ecosystem?

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Producers, such as plants and algae, convert solar energy into chemical energy through photosynthesis, forming the base of the food chain.

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What is the significance of the thermocline in aquatic ecosystems?

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The thermocline is a layer in a body of water where temperature changes rapidly with depth, affecting the distribution of aquatic life.

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What is a food web?

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A food web is a complex network of feeding relationships among organisms in an ecosystem, illustrating how energy and nutrients flow.