Question

What climate variables are most important to distribution of terrestrial ecosystems?

Answer 1

Temperature and precipitation are the key climate variables influencing the distribution of terrestrial ecosystems, dictating plant growth patterns and thus affecting the biodiversity and species adaptations within a biome.

Step-by-step explanation:

The climate variables most important to the distribution of terrestrial ecosystems are temperature and precipitation. These two abiotic factors significantly influence plant growth, which in turn affects biodiversity and the adaptations of organisms in a particular biome. Terrestrial biomes, such as tropical rainforests, savannas, deserts, chaparral, temperate grasslands, temperate forests, boreal forests, and the Arctic tundra, can be characterized by distinctive temperatures and amounts of precipitation, reflecting how these critical climate variables shape the composition of plant and animal communities.

Areas like the northern latitudes, which are experiencing a significant increase in temperature due to climate change, are witnessing a northward shift in the distribution of both flora and fauna. Species like the sugar maple and the Baltimore oriole are moving towards cooler regions as their current habitats become unsuitable. Thus, in terrestrial biomes, biodiversity tends to increase from the poles to the equator and is usually greater in more humid climates.

Answer 2

Temperature and precipitation are the key climate variables influencing the distribution of terrestrial ecosystems, affecting biomes, plant growth, and biodiversity. Ecosystems adapt to climate changes, with species shifting their ranges in response to temperature and moisture variations.

Step-by-step explanation:

The most important climate variables that affect the distribution of terrestrial ecosystems are temperature and precipitation. These two factors largely dictate the type and distribution of biomes by influencing plant growth and, consequently, the biodiversity within an ecosystem.

Terrestrial biomes, such as tropical rainforests, savannas, deserts, and tundras, each have distinct climates and precipitation patterns that result in a unique set of plant and animal life suited to those conditions. Additionally, temperature impacts the geographic range of species, as evidenced by organisms like the sugar maple and the Baltimore oriole shifting their ranges in response to climate changes.

With the ongoing global climate change, alterations in temperature and precipitation patterns are significant for ecosystems. Rising temperatures are affecting biogeography, causing shifts toward the poles and higher altitudes for certain species. Similarly, changes in moisture levels can lead to the expansion or contraction of ecosystems, highlighting the critical role these variables play in the health and makeup of terrestrial biomes.