Ecosystems, Biodiversity and Management

Question 1

Define Ecosystem

Answer 1

An area where biotic parts (plants and animals) work with their abiotic surroundings (rocks, water) to form a unit.

Question 2

Characteristics of Deserts

Answer 2

Very hot all year (30°C), very low rainfall (less than 250 mm annual average)

Question 3

Characteristics of Tropical Rainforests

Answer 3

Hot all year (27°C - 30°C). Wet all year (average annual precipitation 2000 - 3000 mm)

Question 4

Characteristics of Tropical Grasslands

Answer 4

Hot all year (25°C - 35°C), 500 - 1000 mm of rainfall a year but always with a dry season

Question 5

Characteristics of Temperate Grasslands

Answer 5

Hot in summer (25°C), very cold in winter (as low as -40°C), 500 - 900 mm of rainfall a year, most in late spring and summer.

Question 6

Characteristics of Temperate Forests

Answer 6

Warm summers (around 18°C), cool winters (around 5°C), precipitation all year (1000 mm)

Question 7

Characteristics of Boreal Forests

Answer 7

Warm summers (16 °C - 30°C), very cold winters (well below 0°C), low precipitation (less than 500 mm) mainly in the summer

Question 8

Characteristics of Tundras

Answer 8

Temperatures below 0°C for most of the year, and only reaching around 10°C in summer, low precipitation (often less than 250 mm)