Biomes Flashcards
What is a biome?
the largest geographic biotic unit, a major community of plants and animals with similar life forms and environmental conditions
What is the distribution of biomed based mainly on?
climate
What factors affect climate?
latitude and elevation
How does latitude affect climate?
the farther you move north or south, the colder the temperature gets
How does elevation affect climate?
the higher you go in elevation, the colder it gets
Where are biomes at cold latitudes also sometimes found?
high mountains at low latitudes
Where are tropical rainforests typically found?
near the equator
How much rain does tropical rainforest get?
more than 200cm yearly
Where are 50% of all world’s animal species found?
tropical rainforest
What temperatures do tropical rainforests get?
between 20 C and 25 C
What are characteristics of tropical savanna?
- grasslands with a few scattered trees
- experience a wet and dry season
- hot temps
What rainfall do tropical savanna get?
50 - 127 cm
What species do tropical savanna have more than any other biome?
grazing animals
Where are deserts found?
between 25 and 40 degree latitude
How much rain do deserts get?
less than 25 cm year
What temp do deserts get?
typically between 20-25 C but some can reach 38 C and lower than -15 C
Where are chaparral found?
between 32 degree and 40 degree latitude on west coast of continents
How much rain does chaparral get?
between 35 and 70 cm of rain usually in winter
What is a characteristic of chaparral?
extremely resistant to drought and weather events
What is a characteristic of grasslands?
because of dry climate, trees are found only near water sources
How much rain do grasslands get?
between 50 - 90 cm year
What temperatures do grasslands get?
in summer up to 38 C and in winter can fall to -40C
What kind of climate do temperate deciduous forests have?
moderate
What are characteristics of temperate deciduous forests?
most trees lose leaves in winter and have well developed understory
What temperature do temperate deciduous forests have?
-30 C to 30 C
What rain do temperate deciduous forests get?
75 to 150 cm of rain
What are temperate boreal forests also known as?
Taiga
Where are temperate boreal forests also found?
between 45 and 60 degree north latitude
What is precipitation like in temperate boreal forests?
snow is main form of precipitation (40-100 cm)
What is climate like in temperate boreal forest?
cold climate with summer rains
What species are not found in temperate boreal forests?
very few amphibians and reptiles
What is understory of temperate boral forest like?
limited
What does tundra mean?
treeless or marshy plain
What is the tundra characterized by?
permafrost
What is permafrost
permanently frozen soil starting as high as a few centimeters below the surface (which severely limits plant growth)
What are temperatures like in tundra?
winter temps avg -34 C while summer are usually < 10 C
What is precipitation like in tundra?
low (15-25 cm year) but ground is usually wet due to low evaporation
What are marine biomes?
- oceans
- coral reefs
- estuaries
- inter-tidal zones
- mangroves
What are estuaries?
freshwater meets saltwater
What are mangroves?
land meets sea
What are freshwater biomes?
- lakes
- rivers
- ponds
- swamps
- wetlands
