7.1a

Question 1

Name the 7 major biomes in order of belts around the Earth starting at the poles.

Answer 1

Tundra
Taiga
Temperate rainforest
Temperate grassland
Desert
Tropical grassland
Tropical rainforest

Question 2

Define biosphere and biome.

Answer 2

Biosphere - living layer of Earth

Biome - components of the biosphere, large scale ecosystem

Question 3

How does temperature affect the characteristics of biomes?

Answer 3

Latitudes influence biome type due the amount of insolation.

• E.g. near equator = more sunshine, sun is at high angle, lots of rain due to ITCZ
• Polar areas, low sunshine intensity, lack of heat and light limits plant growth

Question 4

What happens to seasonality when latitude increases?

Answer 4

Latitude increasing (nearer the poles), winter is longer and the climate is more seasonal (temperate)

Question 5

What are the characteristics of the tropical rainforests?

Answer 5

Due to them being situated at the equator, there is high precipitation due to low pressure weather systems bringing dense forests and layers of trees.

Question 6

What are the characteristics of the savanna (tropical grassland)?

Answer 6

Next to the tropical rainforest in terms of latitude, high temperatures and pressures due to sinking air (within Hadley cell).
- No dense vegetation can grow, only tall grass which grow rapidly during the moist summer.

Question 7

What are the characteristics of the desert biome?

Answer 7

At the boundary between Hadley and Ferrel cell, so high pressure, very warm, very little precipitation.

• High day temperatures, cooler night temperatures, few clouds means heat escapess.
• Flora and fauna must adapt to low water and hot days.

Question 8

What are the characteristics of the temperate grassland?

Answer 8

Pronounced seasons (hot summer cold winter), grass thrives in the warm and moist conditions due to the rainfall. 
Fewer trees as they can't survive the long dry winters

Question 9

What are the characteristics of the temperate forests?

Answer 9

Higher latitudes, e.g. UK (warm summer cool winter)
Low pressure systems, year round rainfall
In winter the Sun is low in the sky, less sunshine, slowing photosynthesis so plants can’t grow
Deciduous trees save energy and are protected in winters.

Question 10

What are the characteristics of the Boreal forests (Taiga)?

Answer 10

Further north in latitude,
Cold temperatures due to sinking cold air, low precipitation
Conifer trees have waxy needle leaves to help with quick photosynthesis when the short summer arrives.
Mild summer, very cold winter.

Question 11

What are the characteristics of the tundra biome?

Answer 11

Furthest north.
Low temperatures, short sunlight hours in winter
Sinking air, high pressure, low precipitation
Slow evaporation means bog plants can grow.
Trees are rare