Unit 2

• What is a biome?

  An ecological community whose global distribution corresponds with climatic regions of the Earth
• What is leaching in the context of soil?

  The removal of soluble nutrients in water, percolating downwards through soil
• What are the benefits of afforestation?

  • Reduces atmospheric CO2
  • The UN-REDD Programme reduces emissions from deforestation
  • Ecosia plants a tree for every search, with 1 million trees planted in 2019
  • Brazil pledged to reduce emissions by 43% by 2030 in the 2016 Paris Agreement
• What is the temperature range of tropical rainforests?

  25 - 30 °C
• What is the average annual rainfall in tropical rainforests?

  250 mm
• What do GPP and NPP stand for in the context of tropical rainforests?

  GPP = Energy made by photosynthesis; NPP = GPP subtract energy lost in respiration
• How much carbon is stored in rainforest biomass per year?

  2000 grams of carbon per metre squared per year
• Where are temperate grasslands located?

  Between 30 - 50 degrees north and south of the equator
• What are the climate characteristics of temperate grasslands?

  Hot and wet summers, with cold and dry winters
• What types of grasses are found in temperate grasslands?

  Turf and bunch grasses
• What fraction of the Earth's land is covered by temperate grasslands?

  1/4
• How do fires caused by lightning benefit temperate grasslands?

  They allow new growth and aid the decomposition process
• Why can't trees grow in temperate grasslands?

  Because the average rainfall is less than 500 mm
• What is the net primary productivity (NPP) of temperate grasslands?

  600 g C per m² per year
• How much biomass is there per square meter in temperate grasslands?

  1. 6 kg