Learn: Comprehensive Biomes and Ecosystems: Climate, Vegetation, and Locations

What is a biome?

A large region with a specific climate, vegetation, and animal life.

What are the two biggest factors that determine where terrestrial biomes occur?

Temperature and precipitation.

What is climate?

The long-term pattern of temperature and precipitation in an area.

What determines the type of vegetation in a biome?

Mainly temperature and precipitation.

What does precipitation include?

Rain, snow, sleet, and other forms of water falling from the atmosphere.

What is the easiest way to distinguish many terrestrial biomes?

Look at their temperature and precipitation.

What is the climate of a temperate deciduous forest?

Moderate temperatures and precipitation; four distinct seasons.

What does 'deciduous' mean?

Trees lose their leaves seasonally.

What is the dominant vegetation in a temperate deciduous forest?

Broadleaf deciduous trees.

Where are temperate deciduous forests commonly found?

Eastern North America, Europe, and parts of Asia.

What is a major characteristic of temperate deciduous forests?

Trees lose their leaves in fall and regrow them in spring.

What is the climate of a temperate grassland?

Moderate precipitation with hot summers and cold winters.

What is the dominant vegetation of temperate grasslands?

Grasses.

Why are there relatively few trees in temperate grasslands?

Not enough precipitation for many trees, plus fires and grazing.

What are temperate grasslands commonly used for by humans?

Agriculture and grazing livestock.

What is the climate of a temperate rainforest?

Cool to mild temperatures with very high precipitation.

What is the dominant vegetation of a temperate rainforest?

Large evergreen trees, including conifers.

Where are temperate rainforests commonly found?

Coastal areas with high rainfall, such as the Pacific Northwest.

What is the climate of a tropical rainforest?

Warm and very wet year-round.

What is the dominant vegetation of a tropical rainforest?

Tall, dense, broadleaf evergreen trees.

What is the biodiversity of tropical rainforests like?

Extremely high.

Where are tropical rainforests mainly found?

Near the equator.

What are two famous tropical rainforest regions?

Amazon and Congo.

What is the climate of a tropical dry forest?

Warm year-round with a distinct wet season and dry season.

What happens to many trees during the dry season in a tropical dry forest?

They lose their leaves to conserve water.

How is a tropical dry forest different from a tropical rainforest?

It has a pronounced dry season and less precipitation.

What is the climate of a savannah?

Warm year-round with distinct wet and dry seasons.

What is the dominant vegetation of a savannah?

Grasses with scattered trees.

What animals are commonly associated with savannahs?

Large grazing animals and predators.

Where are savannahs commonly found?

Tropical regions, especially Africa.

What is the defining characteristic of a desert?

Very low precipitation.

What type of vegetation is common in deserts?

Drought-resistant plants such as cacti and shrubs.

What adaptations help desert plants survive?

Water storage and reduced water loss.

Can deserts be cold?

Yes. Deserts can be hot or cold.

What is the most important thing to remember about deserts?

Low precipitation, not necessarily high temperature.

What is the climate of the tundra?

Extremely cold with low precipitation.

What is permafrost?

Permanently frozen soil.

What is the dominant vegetation of the tundra?

Mosses, lichens, grasses, and small shrubs.

Why don't large trees grow in the tundra?

Extremely cold temperatures, short growing season, and permafrost.

Where is Arctic tundra found?

Near the Arctic Circle.

What is the climate of the boreal forest?

Long, cold winters and short, cool summers.

What is the dominant vegetation of the boreal forest?

Evergreen coniferous trees.

Where is the boreal forest mainly found?

Canada, Alaska, Russia, and northern Europe.

What is another name for the boreal forest?

Taiga.

What is the climate of chaparral?

Hot, dry summers and mild, wet winters.

What is the dominant vegetation of chaparral?

Shrubs and small trees.

Where is chaparral commonly found?

Mediterranean-type climates, including California.

What natural disturbance is common in chaparral?

Wildfires.

What is the intertidal zone?

The area between high tide and low tide.

What is the biggest challenge for organisms in the intertidal zone?

Constant changes between being underwater and exposed to air.

What environmental factors change frequently in the intertidal zone?

Water level, temperature, salinity, and wave action.

What is a salt marsh?

A coastal wetland regularly flooded with saltwater.

What is the dominant vegetation of salt marshes?

Salt-tolerant grasses and other plants.

What is an important function of salt marshes?

They provide habitat and help protect coastlines from flooding and erosion.

Where are mangrove forests found?

Tropical and subtropical coastal areas.

What makes mangroves special?

They tolerate salty water and have specialized roots.

Why are mangrove forests important?

They protect coastlines and provide habitat for many species.

What is an estuary?

Where freshwater from rivers mixes with saltwater from the ocean.

Why are estuaries highly productive?

They receive nutrients from both land and water.

What is the salinity of an estuary like?

Variable because freshwater and saltwater mix.

What is a kelp forest?

An underwater ecosystem dominated by large kelp algae.

Where are kelp forests generally found?

Cool, nutrient-rich coastal waters.

What is the dominant 'vegetation' of kelp forests?

Kelp/algae.

What is one major animal associated with kelp forests?

Sea otters.

Where are coral reefs generally found?

Warm, shallow, clear marine waters.

Why are coral reefs important?

They support extremely high biodiversity.

What is one major threat to coral reefs?

Ocean warming and coral bleaching.

What is the main characteristic of rivers and streams?

Flowing freshwater.

How does water movement affect organisms in rivers and streams?

Organisms must be adapted to moving water.

What is usually higher: oxygen in fast-moving or stagnant water?

Fast-moving water.

What is the main characteristic of lakes and ponds?

Standing or slow-moving freshwater.

What factors affect life in lakes and ponds?

Temperature, sunlight, oxygen, nutrients, and depth.

What is a wetland?

An area where water covers or saturates the soil for part or all of the year.

What are examples of wetlands?

Marshes, swamps, and bogs.

Why are wetlands important?

They provide habitat, filter water, store water, and reduce flooding.

What does a biome climate graph usually show?

Temperature and precipitation throughout the year.

What does the x-axis usually show in a biome climate graph?

Months of the year.

What does precipitation tell you when identifying a biome?

How wet or dry the biome is.

What does temperature tell you when identifying a biome?

How hot or cold the biome is.

What biome is most likely if a graph shows high temperatures and high precipitation throughout the entire year?

Tropical rainforest.

What biome is most likely if a graph shows very little precipitation throughout the year and very high temperatures?

Desert.

What biome is most likely if a graph shows extremely cold temperatures and very low precipitation?

Tundra.

What biome could a graph represent if it shows cold winters, mild summers, and moderate precipitation?

Boreal forest/taiga.

What biome is most likely if a graph shows hot, dry summers and mild, rainy winters?

Chaparral.

What biome could a graph represent if it shows warm temperatures all year but a very wet season and a very dry season?

Savannah or tropical dry forest.

What biome is most likely if a graph shows moderate temperatures, moderate precipitation, and four distinct seasons?

Temperate deciduous forest.