APES UNIT 1 - Terrestrial Biomes

• What are the two most important climatic factors in terrestrial biomes?

  Temperature and precipitation
• How does temperature vary across the Earth?

  It is warmest at the equator and coldest at the poles due to the angle of sunlight.
• What drives global rainfall patterns?

  Global wind circulation driven by the sun
• What happens to air in the equatorial belt?

  Solar energy heats the air, causing it to rise.
• What occurs when rising air cools in the atmosphere?

  Its condensed moisture falls back as rain.
• Where does cool air sink after rising?

  At about 30° north and south latitudes.
• What are the main terrestrial biomes represented in the world map?

  • Desert
  • Tropical Rainforest
  • Tundra
  • Taiga
  • Ocean
  • Temperate Forest
  • Savanna
  • Grassland
  • Chaparral
  • Polar Ice
  • Mountains
• Which biome has the highest precipitation?

  Tropical Rainforest
• How does temperature behave in a tropical rainforest?

  It remains stable year-round and throughout the day due to high temperatures.
• What is a leading factor for many plant species in tropical rainforests?

  Sunlight
• What characterizes the biodiversity of tropical rainforests?

  It has a high biodiversity compared to other terrestrial biomes.
• What happens to decaying organic matter in tropical rainforests?

  It is quickly absorbed by large vegetation.
• What are the characteristics of hot deserts?

  They are hot with extremely low rainfall.
• At what latitudes do hot deserts typically occur?

  Around 20° north and south of the equator.
• What adaptations do plants and animals in hot deserts have?

  Special adaptations for low precipitation.
• What characterizes savanna or tropical grassland?

  Open grassland with scarce shrubs and trees.
• What are the seasonal characteristics of savannas?

  They have warm temperatures year-round and periodic fires with wet and dry seasons.
• Why can't savannas become forests?

  There is not enough precipitation to support forests.
• What is a notable feature of temperate grasslands?

  They have cooler temperatures and more dramatic wet and dry seasons than tropical grasslands.
• What is the biodiversity level in temperate grasslands compared to tropical grasslands?

  Temperate grasslands have much lower biodiversity.
• What is notable about the soils in temperate grasslands?

  They are known for having the richest soils of all biomes.
• What is an example of a temperate grassland?

  The Great Plains of America.
• What characterizes temperate rainforests?

  They receive a lot of year-round rainfall, leading to large old-growth trees.
• Where are temperate rainforests typically found?

  At higher latitudes than tropical rainforests, resulting in cooler temperatures.
• Which state in the US has the most old-growth forests?

  Alaska
• What type of trees dominate temperate deciduous forests?

  Deciduous trees like oak, hickory, elm, and maple.
• What is the rainfall pattern in temperate deciduous forests?

  They experience moderate rainfall.
• What seasonal changes occur in temperate deciduous forests?

  They have a dramatic appearance of all four seasons.
• What is the taiga biome characterized by?

  Northern forests with long, cold winters and short, mild summers.
• What adaptations do conifers have in the taiga?

  They do not lose leaves in winter.
• Why can't deciduous trees survive in the taiga?

  Because the growing seasons are short.
• What characterizes the chaparral biome?

  Warm and hot-dry summers with mild, rainy winters.
• How is the chaparral biome maintained?

  By fire during dry summers.
• What is the tundra biome characterized by?

  A cold desert with low precipitation.
• What are the conditions in the tundra biome?

  Very cold temperatures, low growing season, and high winds.
• What is permafrost?


  A permanently frozen surface found in the tundra.
• Where is the tundra biome typically found?

  In arctic or sub-arctic regions and high mountains.
• What are the key characteristics of the major terrestrial biomes?

  • Tropical Rainforest: High precipitation, stable temperatures, high biodiversity.
  • Hot Deserts: High temperatures, low rainfall, special adaptations.
  • Savanna: Open grassland, warm temperatures, periodic fires.
  • Temperate Grasslands: Cooler temperatures, rich soils, lower biodiversity.
  • Temperate Rainforest: Year-round rainfall, large old-growth trees.
  • Temperate Deciduous Forest: Moderate rainfall, four distinct seasons.
  • Taiga: Long, cold winters, coniferous trees.
  • Chaparral: Warm, dry summers, mild, rainy winters.
  • Tundra: Cold desert, low precipitation, permafrost.