1.1 Biomes Flashcards
What is a biome? (2)
- largest division of the biosphere
- characterized by abiotic and biotic factors
What is the biosphere?
It is the thin layer of air, land, and water on or near Earth’s surface where living things exist.
What are the main characteristics of the Tundra Biome? (3)
- located in the upper northern hemisphere
- very cold and dry
- due to permanently frozen soil (permafrost), plants are short and there are few trees
What are the main characteristics of the Boreal Forest Biome? (3)
- found in the far north
- below freezing half the year
- mainly coniferous (cone-bearing) trees
What are the main characteristics of the Temperate Deciduous Forest Biome? (3)
- located in temperate regions
- trees lose their leaves in the Winter
- large seasonal changes with four distinct seasons
What are the main characteristics of the Temperate Rainforest Biome? (3)
- found along coastlines where ocean winds drop large amounts of moisture
- cool and very wet
- trees (mainly evergreens) grow very tall
What are the main characteristics of the Grassland Biome? (2)
- occurs in temperate and tropical regions
- covered in grasses that have deep roots that are well adapted for drought
What are the main characteristics of the Tropical Rainforest Biome? (3)
- found in a wide band around the equator
- wet and warm year-round
- there is growth of a dense canopy of tall trees
What are the main characteristics of the Desert Biome? (4)
- occur in temperate and tropical regions
- days are hot and nights are cold
- rainfall is minimal
- plants and animals are adapted to reduce water loss
What are the main characteristics of the Permanent Ice Biome? (2)
- includes polar land masses and large polar ice caps
- the few animals that live here are well isolated against the extreme cold
What are the two most important abiotic factors that influence which biome will be in which area?
- temperature
- precipitation
What are four factors that influence precipitation and temperature?
- latitude
- elevation
- wind
- ocean currents
What is latitude and what does it influence (and how)?
- the distance north and south from the equator
- it influences both temperature and precipitation, tropical zones have very warm temperatures and high precipitation
What is elevation and what does it influence (and how)?
- it is the height above sea level
- higher elevation have less air and retain less heat (temperature)
- windward sides of mountains are wet, leeward sides are very dry (precipitation)
What are ocean currents and what does it influence?
- ocean currents carry warmth and moisture to coastal areas
- temperate biomes are found where warm currents meet land
