You have seen that Earth's terrestrial biomes reflect regional variations in climate. But what determines these climatic variations? Interpret the following diagrams in reference to how each represents effects on global patterns of temperature, rainfall, and winds. a. Solar radiation and latitude: b. Earth's orbit around the sun: c. Global patterns of air circulation and rainfall:

Communities that exist in the aphotic zone ultimately depend on food manufactured by chemoautotrophic bacteria or __________.

In which of the following biomes would you expect decomposers to work most rapidly and efficiently?

Explain why the northern United States experiences a cold season in winter and a warm season in summer.

Which of the following areas of study focuses on the exchange of energy, organisms, and materials between ecosystems?a. organismal ecologyb. landscape ecologyc. ecosystem ecologyd. community ecology

Name the five main levels of study in ecology from smallest to largest.

Which lake zone would be absent in a very shallow lake?a. benthic zoneb. aphotic zonec. pelagic zoned. littoral zone

Match each description on the left with the correct biome on the right. 2. The most complex and diverse biome 3. Ground permanently frozen 4. Deciduous trees such as ­hickory and birch 5. Limited to small coastal areas 6. Spruce, fir, pine, and hemlock trees 7. Home of ants, antelopes, and lions 8. North American plains a. chaparral b. savanna c. taiga d. temperate broadleaf forest e. temperate grassland f. tropical rain forest g. arctic tundra

Where do rain shadows exist?a. the part of a mountain that receives prevailing winds and heavy rainb. the region beyond a mountain range that receives dry airc. the region along the equator where precipitation is abundantd. the region near 30°N and 30°S latitude that receives dry air