Biome Flashcards: Tundra, Taiga, Temperate Deciduous Forest, Grassland, Desert, Tropical Rainforest

Vocabulary-style flashcards covering biomes, climate, soils, flora, fauna, locations, and human impacts based on the notes.

Tundra

A cold, treeless biome characterized by permafrost (permanently frozen soil) and very short growing seasons.

Permafrost

Permanently frozen ground that prevents deep root growth and limits soil development.

Taiga (Boreal Forest)

A cold, conifer-dominated biome with acidic soils from pine needles and slower nutrient cycling.

Temperate Deciduous Forest

A biome with four distinct seasons, cold winters and warm summers, and nutrient-rich soil from decomposing broadleaf leaves.

Grassland

An open, mostly treeless biome with deep, nutrient-rich soil and grasses as the dominant vegetation.

Desert

An arid biome with very low rainfall; soils are rocky, dry, and often acidic with little organic matter.

Tropical Rainforest

Hot and rainy year-round; highest biodiversity; soils are often nutrient-poor despite abundant vegetation.

Climate Data

General descriptors of a biome’s climate, including hot/cold, rainy/dry patterns and typical temperature ranges.

Bearberry

A shrub species found in tundra habitats.

Arctic Willow

A willow species adapted to Arctic conditions, common near tundra margins.

Snow Gentian

A flowering plant found in Arctic/alpine zones.

White Spruce

A conifer common in the taiga/boreal forest.

Pine Trees

Coniferous trees contributing to acidic soils in the taiga.

Oak Trees

Hardwood trees listed among temperate forest flora.

Hickory Trees

Hardwood trees typical of some temperate deciduous regions.

Big Galleta Grass

A grass species found in grassland ecosystems.

Prickly Bear Cactus

A desert cactus adapted to hot, dry climates.

Ocotillo Plant

Desert shrub with spiny, leafless stems adapted to arid conditions.

Tumbleweed

A plant that breaks off and disperses by wind in desert or grassland regions.

Desert Kit Fox

A small fox adapted to arid desert habitats.

Arctic Ground Squirrel

A tundra-dwelling rodent that hibernates seasonally.

Dall Sheep

An Arctic/mountain sheep species found in northern regions.

Caribou

North American reindeer; migratory herbivore of Arctic and subarctic regions.

Snowshoe Hare

A tundra/taiga hare adapted to cold climates with seasonal coat changes.

NPP (Net Primary Productivity)

The rate at which plants accumulate biomass; varies by biome (low in deserts/tundra, high in tropical rainforest).

Anthropogenic Problems

Human-caused threats to biomes such as climate change, deforestation, overhunting, and habitat loss.

Solutions

Strategies to mitigate human impacts: renewable energy, regulations, reforestation, sustainable land use, education, and wildlife management.

Tundra Locations

Canada, Alaska, Greenland, Northern Russia.

Taiga Locations

Northern Canada, Alaska, Northern Russia; parts of eastern USA, northern Europe, and Asia.

Desert Locations

Areas around 20 degrees north and south of the equator; Sahara and Great Basin Desert.

Tropical Rainforest Locations

Amazon, Congo Basin, and rainforests of Southeast Asia.