Rural - Biomes

• What is the definition of a biome?

  A world scale ecosystem usually defined by the dominant  vegetation, for example the tropical rainforest.
• What is an ecosystem?

  A community of living organisms and their interactions with each other and their physical environment.
• What is biodiversity?

  The variety of plant and animal life in the world or in a particular habitat, a high level of which is usually considered to be important and desirable.
• What are the factors influencing biome type?

  Latitude, Earth's tilt, Common (prevailing) winds, Altitude, Ocean and air circulation
• How does latitude influence biome type?

   The level of solar radiation has a large impact on temperature.
• What does higher latitude mean for biomes?

  The higher the latitude the closer to the poles and the colder it will be. This is due to the curvature of the earth which means the further from the equator. Light is spread over a larger area and so the temperature will be colder.
• What does lower latitude mean for biomes?

   This is due to the curvature of the earth which means that at the equator, light is concentrated in a relatively small area
• How does the Earth's tilt affect biomes?

  Further north or south, due to the earth’s tilt, the temperature is not constant throughout the year. This creates seasons.
• Give an example for how the Earth's tilt causes seasons

  When the northern hemisphere is tilted away from the sun it will be winter; simultaneously in the southern hemisphere it will be summer. As the earth moves around the sun, the hemisphere tilted away from the sun will swap over.
• What is the climate between the tropic of cancer and capricorn?

  Between the Tropic of Cancer and Capricorn the climate is relatively constant (tropical climate)
• State two factors that influence the global distribution of biomes

  Precipitation and temperature
• How do prevailing winds affect the biome type

  The direction of the wind can have an impact on the lowland .  When wind blows over water it picks up moisture and this is carried onto the land. Particularly where there are mountains, there can be a ‘rain shadow effect. The winds bring rain to the windward slopes but are then blocked by the mountain, creating deserts on the leeward (sheltered) slope. For example, the Gobi desert beyond the Himalayas. 
• How do Atmospheric Cells (air circulation) affect biome type?

  The most famous of these is the ‘Hadley cell’.  Air that is heated at the equator rises there is low pressure and it creates clouds and therefore rain. This is where tropical rainforests form. After this the air cools and sinks back down around 30 degrees north and south of the equator.  Air sinking creates clear skies, high pressure and therefore little rain. This is where deserts are found. 
• How do Oceanic Circulation affect biome type?

  the oceans also have currents within them. Warmer water brings warmer temperatures to the coastline and vice versa.
• How does Altitude affect biome type?

  The height above sea level influences the temperature. This is why mountainous areas have colder climates and thus different biomes are found in these areas compared to tropical areas at the same latitude.
• What are tropical Rainforest like?

  Hot and humid with dense vegetation and high biodiversity. For example, The Amazon rainforest in South America
• What are Savanna Grasslands like?

  Hot all year round. Open landscapes with scattered trees and grasses which are the dominant plant. Most extensive in Africa. For example, The Serengeti Plains in Central Tanzania
• What are Temperate Grasslands like?

  Grass dominates as climate is unsuitable for growth of trees and shrubs. Found in dry continental interiors in North America and Eurasia. 
• Climate of temperate grasslands?

  Hot summers – 35 degrees celcius and cold winters. 500 – 900 mm per year. Seasonal drought
• Climate of savanna grasslands?

  Hot all year: 25-35 degrees celsius.

  Variable rainfall totals a marked season of drought

  500-1000mm of rain per year
• Climate of tropical rainforests?

  Hot all year – 27 – 30 degrees celsius

  Wet all year – 2000-3000 mm 
• Climate of desert?


  Very hot most of the year - above 30

  Low rainfall - less than 250mm
• What are Desert like?

  Lack of vegetation.

  Plants that do grow are adapted to cope with little water such as cactus.
• Climate of Deciduous Forest

  Warm summers – approx 18 degrees celcius

  Mild/Cool winters – approx 5 degrees

  Precipitation all year – 1000 mm
• Vegetation of decidiuous forest?

  Broadleaved plants that shed their leaves in the winter.  4 distinctive seasons.

  Mainly found in North America and Europe
• Climate of Boreal/ Coniferous Forest 

  Warm summers – 16-20 degrees celsius

  Very cold winters – below freezing

  Rains mainly during summer – less than 500ml rain per year
• Vegetation of Boreal/Coniferous forest

  Found in high latitudes. Trees have needle like leaves and can survive in acidic soil. They are evergreen and shed needles throughout the year. 
• Climate of Tundra


  The main seasons are winter and summer. Average summer temperatures range from 3° to 16°C. Winter temperatures can drop to -70 degrees celsius. The world's coldest and driest biomes
• Vegetation of Tundra


  Ground is permanently frozen so only mosses, lichens and shrubs and grasses. Growing season is very short.