Boreal Forest, Temperate Forest and Desert Flashcards
What is a biome?
A region of the world with similar climate, topography, flora and fauna
What is the largest biome on the planet?
The aquatic biome
If you start at the equator and move north, which biomes will you travel through from closest to furthest?
Tropical rainforests, temperate forests, grasslands, deserts, boreal forests and tundra
What is the major environmental influence on a biome?
Climate
Why are biomes important?
They produce food, fibre and a natural habitat for plants and animals
What are the six key biomes being studied?
Boreal forest, temperate forest, tropical rainforest, desert, grassland and tundra
What are the key characteristics in describing the context of a biome?
Climate, geology, scale, topography, hydrology, flora and fauna
What is the boreal forest biome?
The largest land-based biome, dominated with coniferous flora
Where do Boreal forest occur in terms of latitude and region of the world?
Between 50-60°N latitudes and 2/3 are found in Siberia, with the rest found in Scandinavia, Alaska and Canada
What is length of the growing season in the Boreal Forest?
3 months and it has a low number of species of plants
What is the longest season in the Boreal Forest and describe its temperatures?
Winter of 9 months, average temperatures fall to -15° with snow a common feature
What are the summers like in the Boreal Forest?
High levels of humidity with temperatures climbing towards the 20° mark
What are the major threats to the Boreal Forest biome?
Insect infestation, bush fires, mining, deforestation and climate change
What are three other names for the Boreal Forest?
Evergreen coniferous and taiga forest
What is the temperature range of the temperate forest?
-35°-40°C although the average weather conditions can be considered as temperate
Where do temperate forests occur?
Eastern North America, North Eastern Asia, Western Central Europe, as well as evergreen temperate forests in Australia
What is the climate and seasons like in a temperate forest?
Well-defined seasons with a distinct winter, growing season of 140-200 days during 4-6 frost free months
What latitudes are temperate forests found at and what is a common flora species?
23.6-49°N latitudes, deciduous, broad leaf flora species
What are temperate forests in Tasmania and Victoria characterised by?
Ferns covering the ground and tall trees
What is the soil like in a temperate forest?
Extremely fertile, deep and ideal for plant growth
Which biome do the majority of the world’s population live in?
Temperate forest biome
What types of trees are found in the temperate forest?
Deciduous and maple trees
What is the most important characteristic of the temperate forest?
Climate due to the mild temperatures, fertile soil and frequent rainfall
How has deforestation affected the temperate forest biome?
Forests have been reduced in size to make way for farmland
Which animal had its population decimated from 30 million in the 1500s to about 1000 by 1870?
Bison
When can an area be defined as a desert?
If precipitation is below 250mm per year
What percentage of Australia can be classified as a desert?
18 percent
Where does Australia rank in continents for dryness?
Second driest behind Antarctica
Why can Australia be classified as arid or semi-arid?
70% of the continent receives less than 500mm of rainfall each year
Which biomes are Australia home to?
Tropical rainforest, temperate forest, grassland and desert biomes
Describe desert biomes and their most important characteristic?
The driest biome on the planet and the most important characteristic is the lack of rainfall they receive
