Biomes

• What three key characteristics define rainforests?

  High rainfall, warm temperatures, great diversity
• What primary characteristic defines deserts?

  Extreme dryness and sparse vegetation
• What temperature variations are seen in deserts?

  Hot and cold deserts
• What type of plant life dominates grasslands?

  Grasses
• What environmental factors vary in grasslands?

  Temperature and rainfall
• What kind of animal life do grasslands support?

  Diverse grazing animals
• What biomes do savannas form transition zones between?

  Forests and grasslands
• Besides grasses, what other plant life can be found in savannas?

  Scattered trees and shrubs
• What is the permanently frozen ground in the tundra called?

  Permafrost
• What is another name for the taiga biome?

  Boreal forest
• Describe the winters and summers in the taiga.

  Long, harsh winters, short, cool summers
• What type of forests are taigas?

  Cold, coniferous forests
• What is the main characteristic of temperate forests?

  Distinct seasons
• What type of trees are commonly found in temperate forests?

  Deciduous trees
• What does it mean for a tree to be deciduous?

  Trees that lose leaves seasonally
• Besides deciduous trees, what other type of forests can be found in temperate regions?

  Mixed forests
• What type of biome is a chaparral?

  A shrubland biome
• What are the summers and winters like in a chaparral?

  Hot, dry summers, mild, wet winters
• What environmental factor are chaparral biomes often adapted to?

  Fire
• Name three types of freshwater biomes.

  Lakes, rivers, and wetlands
• What kind of life do freshwater biomes support?

  A wide array of aquatic life
• What biomes do marine biomes encompass?

  Oceans and seas
• Name two diverse ecosystems found in marine biomes.

  Coral reefs to deep-sea trenches
• What is the largest biome on Earth?

  Marine
• What is a biome defined as?

  A large-scale ecosystem
• What defines the characteristics of a biome?

  Abiotic factors
• What are abiotic factors?

  Non-living environmental factors
• What is a biome known for?

  Its dominant type of vegetation
• Why do global biomes form broad belts following lines of latitude?

  Their climate is dictated by global atmospheric circulation
• What factors cause variations in vegetation across biomes?

  Distance from the sea, ocean currents, winds, geology, soils, altitude and relief
• Why do temperatures fall with height above sea level?

  The air is thinner and cannot retain as much heat
• What type of vegetation replaces trees on steep mountains due to temperature decrease?

  Tough grasses
• How do cold ocean currents affect climate?

  They create dry conditions because of a lack of evaporation
• What effect does the warm Gulf Stream have on Western Europe?

  Makes countries warmer than they should be due to their latitude
• What is a rain shadow?

  Dry land on the other side of a mountain range
• How do mountain ranges cause relief rainfall?

  They force air to rise upwards
• Where are tropical rainforests typically located?

  Along or close to the equator
• In what regions can tropical rainforests be found?

  South America, Central Africa, southeast Asia and Australia
• Why are temperatures high in tropical rainforests?

  The sun's rays are concentrated
• What causes heavy rainfall in tropical rainforests?

  High temperatures cause evaporation and the moist air rises