Biomes

Question 1

Name the 9 biomes

Answer 1

1. Polar and high mountain ice
2. Tundra
3. Temperate Deciduous Forest
4. Coniferous Forest
5. Temperate Grassland
6. Chaparral
7. Savanna
8. Dessert
9. Tropical Rainforest

Question 2

What are biomes?

Answer 2

• An area with distinctive climate and vegetation.
• Can contain different ecosystems (e.g. grassland can have woodland, swamps, lakes).
• Cover large areas (usually spanning multiple countries)
• Character determined by topography, climate, soil, plant life and animal life.

Question 3

Biome characteristics - TRF

Answer 3

• Found near equator
• Central and South America, parts of Africa, and Asia.
• Hot and humid.
• Huge variety of plants and animals.
• Around half of the worlds species.
• Trees mostly hardwood.
• Climate called equatorial.

Question 4

Biome characteristics - Savannah

Answer 4

• Hot and dry.
• Dominated by grass, scrub and the occasional tree.
• Two distinct seasons - a dry season when most veg dies back, & rainy season when it grows rapidly.
• Found in central Africa (Zambia, Kenya, Tanzania), northern Australia, and central and south America (Venezuela and Brazil).

Question 5

Biome characteristics - Desert

Answer 5

• The driest and hottest of areas.
• Sahara = worlds largest desert.
• Areas of scrubland bordering the desert are called desert scrub.

Question 6

Biome characteristics - Mediterranean

Answer 6

• Climates not too hot or cold.
• Found around the Mediterranean sea, near Cape Town, and Melbourne.

Question 7

Biome characteristics - Temperate

Answer 7

• Grassland dominated by grass (trees and large bushes scarce)
• Temperate continental climate.
• Weather mild with moderate rainfall.
• e.g. Prairies in USA

Question 8

Biome characteristics - Temperate deciduous forest

Answer 8

• Trees that lose their leaves.
• Found across Europe & USA.
• Climate called temperate maritime.
• Weather mild and wet.

Question 9

Biome characteristics - Coniferous forests

Answer 9

• Contain evergreen trees.
• Found in Scandinavia, Russia, Canada.
• Temperate continental climate.
• Cool climate called cool temperate.
• Moderate rainfall.

Question 10

Biome characteristics - Mountain

Answer 10

• Can be very cold at night & winter.
• Growing season short.
• Higher level trees will not grow.

Question 11

Biome characteristics - Tundra

Answer 11

• Surrounds North and South poles.
• Extremely cold climate.
• Limited numbers of plants and animals able to survive.

Question 12

Factors affecting biomes

Answer 12

1. Latitude
2. Distance from Sea
3. Prevailing Winds
4. Ocean Currents
5. Altitude