geography definitions – Biomes – Flashcards
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abiotic
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meaning not alive, these are nonliving factors that affect living organisms. Environmental factors such habitat (pond, lake, ocean, desert, mountain) or weather such as temperature, cloud cover, rain, snow, hurricanes are abiotic factors.
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Biodiversity
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the variety of plant and animal life in the world or in a particular habitat, a high level of which is usually considered to be important and desirable.
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biome
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A biome is a large global ecosystem, adapted to a particular climate. A biome is a large vegetation community, such as a grassland or desert, characterised by the dominant forms of plant life and the prevailing climate.
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biotic
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The biotic parts of the environment are the living things (or things that have lived).
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climate
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the weather conditions prevailing in an area in general or over a long period
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Convectional rainfall
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Stage 1. The sun heats the ground and warm air rises. Stage 2. As the air rises it cools and water vapour condenses to form clouds.
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Deciduous
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of a tree or shrub) shedding its leaves annually
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Deforestation
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is the clearing of trees, transforming a forest into cleared land
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Desertification
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the process by which fertile land becomes desert, typically as a result of drought, deforestation, or inappropriate agriculture
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ecosystem
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An ecosystem is a natural region - a hill, slope, pond, beach etc- where all of the living things interact with each other, and also with their non-living environment
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evaporation
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is the process of a substance in a liquid state changing to a gaseous state due to an increase in temperature and/or pressure
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evergreen
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a plant that retains green leaves throughout the year
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formal region
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which are defined formally by government or other structures, such as cities, states, and mountain ranges
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humus
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the organic component of soil, formed by the decomposition of leaves and other plant material by soil microorganisms.
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leaching
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drain away from soil, ash, or similar material by the action of percolating liquid, especially rainwater.
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plain
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a large area of flat land with few trees.
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plateau
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an area of fairly level high ground.
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precipitation
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rain, snow, sleet, or hail that falls to or condenses on the ground.
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organic matter
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refers to the large pool of carbon-based compounds found within natural and engineered, terrestrial and aquatic environments.
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Rain shadow
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a region having little rainfall because it is sheltered from prevailing rain-bearing winds by a range of hills
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Salinity
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is the saltiness or dissolved salt content of a body of water (see also soil salinity).
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savanna
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grassy plain in tropical and subtropical regions, with few trees.
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Solar insolation
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Solar isolation is the amount of solar energy that reaches the surface of the earth. It is greatest at the equator.
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tundra
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a vast, flat, treeless Arctic region of Europe, Asia, and North America in which the subsoil is permanently frozen.
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Urbanisation
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is the increase in the proportion of people living in towns and cities
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Weathering
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wear away or change the appearance or texture of (something) by long exposure to the atmosphere.
