T1 People And The Biosphere - What And Where Are Biomes

Question 1

What is a biome?

Answer 1

A large area characterised by certain types of plants and animals

Biomes are defined by their climate, soil, and biological communities.

Question 2

Define grassland.

Answer 2

A large biome with rolling terrains of grasses, flowers, and herbs, with precipitation that supports grass growth but is unpredictable

Droughts can prevent the growth of forests in grasslands.

Question 3

What characterizes a tropical rainforest?

Answer 3

A hot and wet biome located on or near the equator with the greatest diversity

Tropical rainforests are known for their dense vegetation and high biodiversity.

Question 4

Describe the arctic/alpine tundra.

Answer 4

Below freezing at night all year round, little precipitation, and a short growing season

Tundra regions have a layer of permafrost beneath the surface.

Question 5

What is a desert?

Answer 5

A hot and very dry biome with very little plant growth, primarily cacti

Deserts have extreme temperature variations between day and night.

Question 6

Define temperate/boreal forest.

Answer 6

Taiga, an evergreen forest, cold woodland north of temperate deciduous forests

Boreal forests are characterized by coniferous trees and long winters.

Question 7

What characterizes a temperate deciduous forest?

Answer 7

No extremes of climate, has four seasons

These forests are known for trees that lose their leaves in autumn.

Question 8

Describe the chaparral/mediterranean biome.

Answer 8

Contains flat plains, rocky hills, and mountain slopes, hot and dry in summer, mild in winter

This biome is often found in regions with a Mediterranean climate.

Question 9

What is a tropical savanna?

Answer 9

A hot and dry grassland scattered with shrubs and isolated trees

Savannas often have distinct wet and dry seasons.

Question 10

What are the factors that influence the location of different biomes?

Answer 10

Sunshine hours - global
rain/precipitation - global
temperature - global
altitude - local
types of rock - local
drainage - local

Question 11

How does latitude affect temperature?

Answer 11

Sunlight in the tropics is highly concentrated, leading to more plants, while at the poles it is spread more thinly

Question 12

How does latitude influence rainfall?

Answer 12

Rainfall is highest in coastal and highland regions; precipitation occurs at low pressure belts

Low pressure belts are areas where air rises, leading to cloud formation and precipitation.

Question 13

What is the temperature change with altitude?

Answer 13

Temperatures fall by 0.6°C for every 100m increase in altitude

This temperature decrease is significant in understanding ecosystem changes at different elevations.

Question 14

What type of forest develops as altitude increases?

Answer 14

Tropical rainforest (TRF) develops into coniferous forest as you gain height

However as altitude increases and reaches the tree line tree growth stops due to cold conditions

Question 15

What effect does limestone bedrock have on soil conditions?

Answer 15

Limestone bedrock creates dry soil conditions because percolating rainwater passes through it easily

Question 16

What type of land is often found close to rivers?

Answer 16

Poorly drained land close to rivers is often occupied by swamps instead of grasslands or forests

The presence of swamps indicates high water levels and poor drainage in these areas.