Ecosystems, Biomes & Habitats Flashcards
What is an Ecosystem?
A geographic area where plants, animals, and other organisms, as well as weather and landscape work together to form a bubble of life
What is a biome?
A region of the world characterized by its resident life, environment & climate
What is a habitat?
A place where a specific species or organism makes its home
What are the major differences between an ecosystem & a biome?
An ecosystem is the interaction between organisms living together in an environment. A biome is a region of the world characterized by its residents’ life, environment and climate.
What biome
is very dry and there are very high temperatures?
Desert
What biome
is very wet and there are very high temperatures?
Tropical forest
What biome
is very cold and there are very low temperatures?
Tundra (arctic regions)
What biome
has mid levels of dryness and very high temperatures?
Temperate forest:
grassland, chapparal, desert
Deserts & grasslands can occur in what two regions?
Tropical & Temperate Regions
Houston is in which biome region?
Temperate region
What biome is the most perfect place for plants, animals & insects to survive?
Temperate regions because of forests & grasslands. Also rainforest because of the moisture
Characteristics of the Chapparal Mediterranean Biome
Coastal area that have mild, wet winters and hot, dry summers. Vegetation (plants) are small and drought resistant (don’t need alot of water)
Animals: Bear, skunk, muledeer, foxes, coyote
Characteristics of the Tropical Rainforest Biome
The climate is hot & wet all year round and is home to a diverse variety of plants and animals. There are dense canopies (broad leaf trees) of vegetation.
Animals: Tiger, Orangutans, Jaguar, monkeys, frogs, tropical birds
Characteristics of the Taiga Biome
A forest of the cold sub-arctic region, south of the Arctic circle. Mostly coniferous trees (pine, spruce, balsam, fir). Few plants grow due to poor soil conditions.
Animals: Bears, caribou, wolves, owls
Characteristics of the Tundra Biome
The climate is cold & dry with harsh conditions. Winters are long, cold & dark. Summers are short and chilly but can get warm. The tundra is characterized by permafrost that is permanently frozen all year.
Animals: Reindeer, Polar Bears, Snowy Owls, Arctic fox, Penguin
Characteristics of the Desert Biome
The desert is the driest of all biomes. The climate is arid & dry meaning that it receives very little precipitation.The organisms and plants have adapted to the extremely dry climate. Plants have made adaptations to conserve water.
Animals: Camels, Meerkat, Reptiles, Scorpions,
Characteristics of the Grassland & Savannah Biomes
Both of these biomes are covered in grasses and other plants. Very few trees. There are dry and wet seasons that stay warm all the time.
Characteristics of the Rainforest Biome
This is a hot, moist biome where it rains all year long. It is known for dense canopies of trees that grow to heights of about 250 ft or more.
