BIO120H1 Chapter Notes - Chapter 2: Tropical And Subtropical Moist Broadleaf Forests, Herbaceous Plant, Biome
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BIO120H1 Full Course Notes
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Savanna biomes: north and south of tropical forest biomes. Longer dry seasons: mix of grasses/small trees (drought deciduous, cover 60% of africa. = transition from tropical forest to desert: dry season fires occur, plays role in balance btwn. Fire = tree + shrub population : fire release nutrients in dead plant litter, soil = thermal insulator. Seeds/ground rhizomes (underground horizontal roots) protected from damage: productivity ranges, depend on local conditions (soil depth, decomposition rapid, year-round, turnover rate of leaf material high, turnover rate because diversity of large herbivores in savannas. Herbivores = predators + scavengers: occur in band around world (15-30on and s) Grassland biomes: mostly in interiors of continents. 3 factors dominate evolution of plant traits in grasslands: recurring fire. Stimulate productivity/germination of fire resistant seeds: periodic drought, grazing. Some grasses have below ground rhizomes, connect above ground shoots. Grass blades grow from bottom up, with actively dividing meristems @ base of leaf.
