TERRESTRIAL BIOMES By knowt

Vocabulary flashcards covering key biome concepts and terms from the lecture notes.

Biome

A major regional complex of similar communities, recognized by its dominant plant type and vegetation structure.

Abiotic factors

Nonliving environmental components (wind patterns, temperature, soil, precipitation) that determine biomes.

Climatographs

Climate diagrams that show mean monthly temperature and precipitation to help categorize biomes.

Tundra

Cold, very dry biome near the poles; vegetation is mainly lichens and scrub; permafrost remains frozen year‑round.

Permafrost

Underground soil that remains frozen year-round in tundra regions.

Boreal forest (Taiga)

Cold climate with low to moderate rainfall; evergreen trees dominate; bogs and lakes; nutrient‑poor, acidic soils; long winters.

Coniferous forest

Evergreen-dominated forest typical of boreal regions.

Temperate deciduous forest

Warm climate with moderate rainfall; dominated by broad-leaved deciduous trees (oaks, beeches, maples) that lose leaves in fall; fertile soils.

Temperate grassland

Warm climate with low rainfall; more grasses than trees; largely converted to farming and ranching.

Desert

Very sparse rainfall; not always hot; high diurnal temperature variation; animals and plants highly adapted to harsh climate.

Tropical rainforest

Hot climate with high rainfall year‑round; extremely diverse; soils are poor and acidic; most nutrients are in plants.

Savanna

Hot climate with low rainfall; rainfall is seasonal; animals concentrate near water holes during the dry season.

Chaparral

Mediterranean climate: mild, wet winters and hot, dry summers; frequent fires; dominated by shrubs.

Temperate rainforest

Warm climate with high rainfall; tall trees and a moist, shaded forest interior; soils are fertile but erode when cleared.

Deciduous

Trees that lose their leaves in the fall and go dormant in winter.

Mean monthly temperature

The average temperature for each month, used in climate diagrams.

Mean annual precipitation

The total precipitation per year shown in climate diagrams.