RUSSIA - Biomes

Question 1

What is a biome?

Answer 1

A large naturally occurring community of flora and fauna occupying a major habitat.

Question 2

Describe the TUNDRA.

Answer 2

• Conditions are very cold.
• The average temperature is less than 5ºC, and the precipitation is about 100 mm per year.
• In the summer there is a 24 hour daylight.
• This biome has permafrost.
• Biggest threat are airborne pollutants (as the planet warms, these pollutants bring more (pollutants) making the permafrost melt and collapsing the tundra ecosystem).

Question 3

Describe the TAIGA.

Answer 3

• It stretches about 5,800 km (from the Pacific Ocean to the Ural Mountains).
• Taigas are thick forests.
• They also have permafrost.
• They are threatened by human activity (hunting), global warming, clear cutting, climate change, and the melting of permafrost (if permafrost melts, CO2 is released, accelerating global warming).

Question 4

Describe the STEPPE.

Answer 4

• Throughout history, the Russian steppe has been a natural boundary to prevent civilisations or migrations from entering.
• The grass that grows there provides grazing for goats, camels, horses, sheep, etc.
• Threats are overgrazing and over-cultivation.

Question 5

Describe SEMI DESERT.

Answer 5

• Low rainfalls (25 mm precipitation)
• Some vegetation
• Threatened by climate change and human exploitation.