HBIO Quiz (climate + biomes)

Climate

Long term prevailing weather patterns in an area

Latitude and Sunlight

Earth's curvature creates different sunlight intensities

Tropics (23.5 N and S)

Receive the most direct sunlight

Poles

Receive the least amount of sunlight

Sunlight

Affects global wind and precipitation patterns

Precipitation at Tropics

Warm, wet air rises then cools causing lots of rain

Precipitation at 30 Degrees N and S

Dry air absorbs moisture leading to little rain

Precipitation at 60 Degrees N and S

Warm air mixes with cold air from the poles

Precipitation at 90 Degrees N and S

Cold, dry air creates no rain or plant growth

Seasonality

Earth's tilt and rotation around the sun creates seasons

December Solstice

Short days in the north, long days in the south

March Equinox

Equal daylight and darkness for both hemispheres

June Solstice

Long days in the north, short days in the south

September Equinox

Equal daylight and darkness for both hemispheres

true

Oceans regulate coastal temperatures

Coasts

Cooler compared to inland due to high specific heat of water

Daytime Coastal Effect

Hot temps above land bring in cool breezes from the ocean

Nighttime Coastal Effect

Warm air moves from the ocean over the land

Mountains and Air

Cool ocean air moves inland and cools coastal temps

Mountains and Rain

Cool air condenses and forms rain when it hits mountains

Rain Shadow Effect

Air becomes dry after passing over mountains, creating deserts on the east side

Biomes

Determined by temperature ranges, precipitation, and latitude

Tropical Rainforest Location

Between the tropics

Tropical Rainforest Rain

Highest rainfall of all biomes

Tropical Rainforest Temperature

75 to 85 degrees year round

Tropical Rainforest Plants

Vertical layers, broadleaf evergreens, succulents, thorny shrubs, epiphytes

Tropical Rainforest Animals

Most biodiverse, includes amphibians, reptiles, birds, mammals, insects

Desert Location

30 degrees N and S

Desert

Lowest rainfall of the biomes

Desert Temperature

Up to 120 degrees in the day and down to

Desert Climate

Low humidity, low cloud cover, low specific heat

Desert Plants

Scattered vegetation like succulents, shrubs, herbs

Desert Plant Adaptations

Heat tolerance, water storage, physical and chemical defenses

Desert Animals

Snakes, lizards, birds, bats, insects, rodents

Desert Animal Adaptations

Water conservation, heat tolerance, underground living, nocturnality

Savanna Location

Equatorial and subequilateral

Savanna Rain

Seasonal rainfall with long dry season (8 months)

Savanna Temperature

Warm year round (75 to 85 degrees)

Savanna Plants

Mostly grass, scattered thorny trees with small leaves

Savanna Plant Adaptations

Fire, grazing, and drought tolerance

Savanna Animals

Large migrating herbivores, large predators, insects such as termites

Savanna Fires

Fires are prevalent in this biome

Chaparral Location

Widely distributed, usually coastal

Chaparral

Rainy winters and dry summers

Chaparral Temperature

Cool fall, winter, and spring (around 50 degrees), warm summers (up to 85 degrees)

Chaparral Plants

Shrubs, small trees, grasses, herbs, diverse vegetation

Chaparral Plant Adaptations

Drought and fire tolerance

Chaparral Animals

Deer, grazers, small mammals, amphibians, reptiles, birds, insects

Chaparral Fires

Fires are common, especially in places like California