Lesson 1 Flashcards
Definition of abiotic factor?
A factor that is not associated with or from living organisms
Examples of abiotic factors
Sunlight, temperature, wind patterns, precipitation
Definition of biotic factors
Factors that are associated with living organisms
Examples of biotic factors
The organisms itself, symbiosis (close interaction between two different biological organisms), food webs, competition for food resources
Where is the Taiga located?
In the Northern hemisphere 50-70 degrees North
What is the taiga made up of?
Made up of confier trees, that are evergreen so they don’t drop their leaves. Also due to the summer growing seasons being shorter so they need to be ready to photosynthesise quickly.
Lots of insects, so lots of migrating birds arrive too.
What percent of the world’s forest does the Taiga make up?
30%
What is the climate like in the Taiga?
Taiga has a subarctic climate. This means that the taiga is below freezing for 9 months/year.
Why is it that during the summer the Taiga has more animals species than in the winter?
So that animals need to be able to make several unique adaptations to survive the seasonal changes
How many species are present during the winter in the Canadian Taiga?
In the Canadian Taiga there are more than 300 species of animals, but in the winter it is reduced to 30
How are leaves on plants adapted?
They have needle shaped leaves with a small surface area and a waxy coating to prevent water loss.
Why are the plants in the Taiga dark green in colour?
So that they can absorb more sunlight
Why do the plants in the taiga have a small amount of sap?
So that they don’t freeze as easily so they can survive cold conditions
Why do the trees grow close together and have downward facing branches?
To gain protection from the wind and so that the snow falls off and doesn’t break the branches.
To avoid frostbites, how are some animals adapted?
By having smaller ears and shorter tails
