Terresterial

Question 1

Temperate Seasonal Forest

Answer 1

Warm summers and cold winters
Usually host broadleaf deciduous forests
• Deciduous trees lose their leaves each fall and remain dormant during winter
• Mid-latitude forests in Europe, East China, and Eastern North America
• Fertile soils
• Forests = oak, beech, maple

Question 2

Temperate Grasslands

Answer 2

Cold harsh winters and hot, dry summers
Wildfires
More extreme temperature difference between winter and summer
• Less precipitation
• Also called steppe or prairie - Once widespread throughout parts of North and South America and much of central Asia
- Much was converted for agriculture
- Bison, prairie dogs, antelope, and ground-nesting birds

Question 3

Temperate Rainforest

Answer 3

Moderate temperatures year round and high precipitation
Found near coasts
Supports growth of large trees
• Coastal Pacific Northwest region
• Great deal of precipitation
• Coniferous trees: cedar, spruce, hemlock, fir
• Moisture-loving animals - Banana slug
• The fertile soil is susceptible to erosion and landslides
• Provides lumber and paper

Question 4

Tropical rainforest

Answer 4

• Central America, South America, southeast Asia, and west Africa
• Year-round rain and warm temperatures
• Dark and damp
• Lush vegetation
• Variety of animals and tree species, but in low numbers
• Very poor, acidic soils

Question 5

Tropical Dry Forest

Answer 5

• Tropical deciduous forest
• India, Africa, South America, northern Australia
• Wet and dry seasons
• Warm, but less rainfall
• Converted to agriculture
• Erosion-prone soil

Question 6

Savanna

Answer 6

Warm temperatures but has distinct wet and dry seasons
• Grassland interspersed with trees
• Africa, South America, Australia, India
• Precipitation only during rainy season
• Water holes
• Zebras, gazelles, giraffes, lions, hyenas

Question 7

Desert

Answer 7

• Minimal precipitation
• Some deserts are bare, with sand dunes (Sahara)
• Some deserts are heavily vegetated (Sonoran)
• They are not always hot - Temperatures vary widely
• Saline soils
• Nocturnal or nomadic animals
• Plants have thick skins or spines

Question 8

Tundra

Answer 8

• Canada, Scandinavia, Russia
• Minimal precipitation - Nearly as dry as a desert
• Seasonal variation in temperature - Extremely cold winters
• Permafrost: permanently frozen soil
• Few animals: polar bears, musk oxen, caribou
• Lichens and low vegetation with few trees

Question 9

Taiga (Boreal Forest)

Answer 9

• Canada, Alaska, Russia, Scandinavia
• Variation in temperature and precipitation
• Cool and dry climate - Long, cold winters and short, cool summers
• Poor and acidic soil
• Few evergreen tree species
• Moose, wolves, bears, migratory birds

Question 10

Chaparral

Answer 10

Also known as woodland or shrubland
• Mediterranean Sea, California, Chile, and
southern Australia
• High seasonal - Mild, wet winters, and warm, dry summers
• Frequent fires
• Densely thicketed, evergreen shrubs