geography - biomes

Where are polar biomes located (latitude)?

At the North Pole (Arctic) and South Pole (Antarctica).

What are the main characteristics of polar biomes?

Extremely cold, ice-covered, long dark winters, very low biodiversity.

What human activities negatively impact polar biomes?

Climate change melting ice, oil and gas exploration, increased shipping disturbing wildlife.

Where is the tundra biome located (latitude)?

Just below the polar regions in the far north (Alaska, Canada, Russia).

What are the main characteristics of the tundra biome?

Permafrost, short summers, low-growing plants like moss and shrubs, very cold and dry.

What human activities negatively impact the tundra biome?

Oil pipelines, mining, vehicle damage to permafrost, climate warming.

Where is the boreal forest (taiga) located (latitude)?

Found in high northern latitudes across Canada, Russia, and Scandinavia.

What are the main characteristics of the boreal forest?

Long cold winters, coniferous trees (pine, spruce, fir), many large mammals such as moose, wolves, and bears.

What human activities harm the boreal forest?

Logging, mining, and wildfires made worse by climate change.

Where are temperate forests located (latitude)?

Mid-latitudes in Europe, eastern USA, China, and parts of Australia.

What are the main characteristics of temperate forests?

Four seasons, deciduous trees (oaks, maples), rich soil, high biodiversity.

What human activities damage temperate forests?

Urban development, agriculture expansion, pollution, deforestation.

Where are grasslands located (latitude)?

Temperate grasslands

mid-latitudes (USA prairies, Australia).

Savannahs

near the equator (Africa, South America, Australia).

What are the main characteristics of grasslands?

Dominated by grasses, few trees, seasonal rainfall, frequent fires that maintain grass cover.

What human activities harm grasslands?

Overgrazing, converting land into farms, poaching (e.g., elephants in savannahs).

Where are deserts located (latitude)?

Around 30° north and 30° south of the equator.

What are the main characteristics of deserts?

Extremely dry, very little rainfall, hot days and cold nights, plants like cacti, animals adapted to store water.

What human activities negatively impact deserts?

Mining, off-road vehicle damage, climate change increasing desertification.

Where are tropical rainforests located (latitude)?

Near the equator in regions like the Amazon, Congo Basin, and Southeast Asia.

What are the main characteristics of tropical rainforests?

Hot and wet all year, very high biodiversity, dense canopy layers, nutrient-poor soils.

What human activities harm tropical rainforests?

Deforestation for cattle, soy, and palm oil, illegal logging, mining that pollutes rivers.

What are the main differences between different biomes?

Temperature, rainfall, vegetation types, animal species, and latitude/altitude.

How does latitude influence flora and fauna in biomes?

Higher latitudes = colder, less sunlight → smaller plants, fewer species.

Lower latitudes (equator) = warm and wet → tall trees, very high biodiversity.

Mid-latitudes = moderate climate → deciduous forests and grasslands.

What human activities negatively impact biomes in general?

Deforestation, farming, mining, pollution, overgrazing, urbanisation, and climate change.