GGY 130 1st Edition Lecture 15Chapter 11: Terrestrial Flora-Terrestrial Flora• Plant characteristics-Hardy-High survival potential rate depends on• Subsurface root system• Reproductive mechanism-Perennials mechanism-Annuals-Floristic Terminology • Two types: spores and seeds -Spore reproduction • Bryophytes: mosses • Pteridophytes: ferns, horsetails-Seed reproduction• Gymnosperms: seeds in cones; also called conifers • Angiosperms: seeds encased in protection; all other plant life is of this type• Stem/trunk composition: Woody versus herbaceous plants• Leaf Retention: Deciduous versus evergreen trees • Leaf shape: Broadleaf versus needleleaf trees -Environmental Adaptations• Xerophytic Adaptations-Adapted to survive in dry conditions• Roots are modified in shape and size to seek moisture • Stems are modified as mean to store moisture• Leaf surface is modified to decrease transpiration• Lie dormant for years until the receive rain and then they reproduce rapidly • Hygrophytic Adaptation-Plants that can grow in saturated or semi-saturated environments-Extensive root systems-Widened trunks near the ground to provide more support/stability-Flexible stems to withstand water currents-Spatial Association of Plants • Geographers are more concerned with spatial groupings than individual plants• Major plant classification-Forests:• Trees so close that their leaf canopies overlap• Require significant annual precipictation to transport mineral nutrients-Woodlands• Trees spaced more widely than forests, no overlapping canopies • Ground cover is not inhibited by lack of sunlight• Drier than forest environments-Shrublands• Short, woody plants such as shrubs or bushes• Stems branching near the ground• Generally restricted to arid and semi arid regions-Grasslands• Scattered trees and shrubs• Dominated by grasses and forms • Prominent types include savanna, prairie, and steppe-Deserts• Widely scattered plants with much bare ground• Great variety of vegetation• Covered by sand and gravel -Tundra• Complex mix of low plants with no trees-Wetlands• Shallow standing water • Swamps and