Biomes Flashcards
What is a biome?
Biome is an area of land or water that is characterized by similar vegetation, climate and animal species. Biomes are classified as terrestrial (land based) or aquatic (water based).
What are different types of biomes?
Boreal forest, tropical forest, temperate forest, mountain vegetation, grasslands, deserts, polar lands, tundra, are different types of biomes.
What are some characteristics of boreal forests?
Boreal forests are made up predominately of a limited range of coniferous trees. These trees are usually evergreen and are characterized by having cones or needle-like leaves (e.g. pine and fir trees).
What are some characteristics of tropical forests?
Tropical forests are characterized by a warm, constant climate and high levels of rainfall. Most tropical forests are found close to the equator and are home to a huge number of different plant and animal species.
What are the characteristics of mountain vegetation?
Mountain vegetation are characterized by plants that are low to the ground. Plant and animal species in this biome need to be able to sustain themselves during long periods of cold, winter weather.
What are the characteristics of temperate forests?
Temperate forests occur in areas that are temperate, i.e. not subject to particular extremes in climate. Temperate forest experience high levels of rainfall and are often characterized by deciduous trees.
What are the characteristics of grasslands?
The grasslands are large areas of land dominated by various grasses and low shrubs. Grasslands are found in the middle of continents and often experience large seasonal variations in temperature.
What are the characteristics of deserts.
Deserts are characterized by low levels of rainfall, however climates can vary greatly between different deserts. Plant and animal life within deserts are dependent on the amount of available water.
What are the characteristics of polar lands?
Polar lands are land that are subject to year long ice and snow. They have very little levels of rainfall and thus sustain little or no plant life. For example, Antarctica contains only two small plants species and no land mammals.
What are the characteristics of Tundra?
A tundra is subject to a very cold climate all year long. As a result of this plant life is very limited, and only grows very low to the ground. A tundra will only have a small number of plant and animal species.
