Global biomes

Cards (32)

  • What is the biosphere?
    A narrow zone on Earth's surface
  • How is life on Earth divided?
    Into regions with distinct plants and animals
  • What are biomes?
    Large-scale global ecosystems
  • What is an ecosystem?
    A community of plants and animals interacting
  • How many basic land biomes are there?
    Six basic land biomes
  • What are the six basic land biomes?
    • Tundra
    • Taiga (coniferous forest)
    • Temperate forest (deciduous)
    • Grassland (tropical savanna or temperate)
    • Desert (hot/tropical or temperate)
    • Tropical rainforest
  • What factor primarily controls the distribution of biomes?
    Climate (temperature and precipitation)
  • What latitude range does the Tundra biome occupy?
    Between 55° and 70° North
  • What is the average temperature range in the Tundra?
    Between 0 and 10°C
  • What characterizes a hot desert biome?
    Extreme aridity and limited diversity
  • Where do hot deserts typically lie?
    Between 20° and 30° N and S
  • What percentage of Earth's land surface do hot deserts cover?
    12%
  • What is the climate of the Temperate biome?
    Dry with 100-200mm annual rainfall
  • What latitude range does the Temperate biome occupy in the Northern Hemisphere?
    Between 30° and 60° N
  • What are the average summer maximum temperatures in Temperate grasslands?
    20°C or higher
  • What causes the high annual temperature range in Temperate grasslands?
    Low sun angle in winter and continentality
  • How much rainfall do Temperate grasslands receive annually?
    400-800mm
  • What is the primary vegetation in Temperate grasslands?
    Grasses dominate due to limited rainfall
  • What is the size of the Prairies biome?
    3.5 million km²
  • What are the climatic factors that determine biome characteristics?
    Latitude, rainfall, and height
  • What is permafrost?
    A deep layer of frozen ground
  • What is the average temperature in the Tundra during winter?
    Average temperatures of -10°C
  • What is the precipitation level in the Tundra?
    Between 150-350mm
  • How does the Tundra's climate affect plant activity?
    Long hours of darkness limit plant activity
  • What types of plants can survive in the Tundra?
    Sedge, liverworts, mosses, and lichens
  • What is the meaning of the word 'Tundra' in Finnish?
    Barren or treeless plain
  • What regions are included in the Tundra biome?
    Alaska, Northern Canada, Scandinavia, Northern Russia
  • How does the Tundra's low precipitation affect its ecosystem?
    Limits plant growth and biodiversity
  • What is the significance of insolation in the Tundra during summer?
    It allows for some plant activity
  • What is the average wind speed in the Tundra?
    45-90 km/h
  • How does height affect temperature in biomes?
    Temperature falls with increasing height
  • What is the relationship between altitude and biome vegetation?
    Higher altitudes have different vegetation types