BIOMES

Biome

A large geographic region characterized by specific climate, plants, and animals

Terrestrial biome

Land-based biome such as forests, deserts, grasslands, and tundra

Aquatic biome

Water-based biome including freshwater and marine environments

Climate

Long-term pattern of temperature, humidity, and precipitation in an area

Temperature

Measure of how hot or cold an environment is, affecting biome type

Precipitation

Amount of rainfall or snowfall an area receives

Latitude

Distance from the equator that influences climate and biome distribution

Tropical rainforest biome

Hot, wet biome with very high biodiversity and dense vegetation

Desert biome

Dry biome with very low rainfall and organisms adapted to conserve water

Savanna biome

Grassland biome with scattered trees and seasonal rainfall

Grassland biome

Biome dominated by grasses with few trees and moderate rainfall

Temperate forest biome

Biome with four seasons and trees that shed leaves annually

Boreal forest (taiga)

Cold biome dominated by coniferous trees and long winters

Tundra biome

Cold, treeless biome with permafrost and very low biodiversity

Permafrost

Permanently frozen layer of soil found in tundra regions

Aquatic freshwater biome

Water biome with low salt content such as rivers, lakes, and ponds

Marine biome

Saltwater biome including oceans, coral reefs, and seas

Estuary

Biome where freshwater meets saltwater, highly productive and diverse

Biodiversity

Variety of living organisms found in a biome or ecosystem

Adaptation

Trait that helps an organism survive in its environment

Biome distribution

Pattern of how biomes are spread across Earth based on climate

Altitude

Height above sea level that affects temperature and biome type

Coniferous trees

Trees with needle-like leaves adapted to cold biomes like taiga

Deciduous trees

Trees that shed leaves seasonally in temperate forests

Biome productivity

Rate at which energy and biomass are produced in a biome

Primary productivity

Amount of organic matter produced by plants through photosynthesis in an ecosystem

Net primary productivity

Energy available to consumers after plant respiration is subtracted

Climograph

Graph showing temperature and precipitation patterns of a biome

Climate zone

Region of Earth classified based on temperature and rainfall patterns

Arid climate

Very dry climate with little rainfall typical of deserts

Humid climate

Climate with high moisture and frequent rainfall

Seasonality

Variation in climate conditions throughout the year

Latitude effect

Influence of distance from the equator on temperature and biome type

Altitude effect

Decrease in temperature as elevation increases affecting biome distribution

Biome transition zone (ecotone)

Area where two biomes meet and overlap

Edge effect

Increased biodiversity in ecotones due to overlapping habitats

Endemic species

Species found only in a specific biome or location

Biome adaptation

Structural, behavioral, or physiological traits that help organisms survive in a biome

Xerophyte

Plant adapted to survive in dry desert conditions

Hydrophyte

Plant adapted to live in aquatic environments

Mesophyte

Plant adapted to moderate water conditions

Camouflage adaptation

Trait that allows organisms to blend into their environment for protection or hunting

Migration adaptation

Seasonal movement of organisms to survive changing biome conditions

Hibernation adaptation

State of inactivity during cold conditions to conserve energy

Water conservation adaptation

Features in organisms that reduce water loss in dry biomes

Leaf shedding adaptation

Loss of leaves in dry or cold seasons to reduce water loss or damage

Thick fur adaptation

Trait in cold biome animals for insulation against low temperatures

Nocturnal behavior

Being active at night to avoid heat in hot biomes like deserts

Food availability in biomes

Amount of energy resources available that affects population survival

Biome disturbance

Event such as fire, storm, or human activity that changes biome structure

Human impact on biomes

Effects of deforestation, pollution, and urbanization on natural biomes

Biome conservation

Efforts to protect and restore natural biome ecosystems

Deforestation effect on biomes

Loss of trees leading to reduced biodiversity and climate imbalance

Desertification

Process where fertile land becomes desert due to drought or human activity