Topic 6 - Forest biomes
Essential elements from Topic 6:
1. Forest biomes occur in mesic regions where annual precipitation exceeds potential evapotranspiration (on average).
2. At higher latitudes, forest biome distribution is limited by the presence of permafrost. Boreal forests are the highest latitude forest biome.
3. At drier sites, forest biome distribution is limited by drought tolerance. There is often a replacement sequence with some tree species being more drought tolerant than others. These gradients occur along both geographic and elevation gradients.
4. Upper elevations of trees are limited by both cold temperature tolerances and capacity of a tree life to persist through cold, windy winter extremes.
5. Historical factors, such as fire, animal impacts, and land-use history, can disrupt the persistence of forests on sites where forest biomes would be expected.
Terms to know from Topic 6
Essential elements from Topic 6:
1. Forest biomes occur in mesic regions where annual precipitation exceeds potential evapotranspiration (on average).
2. At higher latitudes, forest biome distribution is limited by the presence of permafrost. Boreal forests are the highest latitude forest biome.
3. At drier sites, forest biome distribution is limited by drought tolerance. There is often a replacement sequence with some tree species being more drought tolerant than others. These gradients occur along both geographic and elevation gradients.
4. Upper elevations of trees are limited by both cold temperature tolerances and capacity of a tree life to persist through cold, windy winter extremes.
5. Historical factors, such as fire, animal impacts, and land-use history, can disrupt the persistence of forests on sites where forest biomes would be expected.
Terms to know from Topic 6