Chapter 6, Biomes, Environmental Science

Front

biome

Back

A large naturally occurring community of flora and fauna occupying a major habitat, e.g., forest or tundra.

Front

climate

Back

The weather conditions prevailing in an area in general or over a long period.

Front

weather

Back

The state of the atmosphere at a place and time as regards heat, dryness, sunshine, wind, rain, etc.

Front

climatographs

Back

Graphs that show the average temperature and precipitation of a biome over a year.

Front

net primary production

Back

The rate at which all the plants in an ecosystem produce net useful chemical energy.

Front

canopy

Back

The upper layer or habitat zone, formed by mature tree crowns and including other biological organisms.

Front

emergent layer

Back

The top foliage layer in a forest where the trees extend above surrounding trees.

Front

understory

Back

A layer of vegetation beneath the main canopy of a forest.

Front

epiphytes

Back

Plants that grow on other plants but are not parasitic, such as many ferns and orchids.

Front

deciduous

Back

Trees or shrubs that lose their leaves seasonally.