Terrestrial biomes Flashcards
1
Q
What biome is around the equator?
A
Tropical forest
2
Q
What is an ecotone?
A
Transitional zones between biomes
3
Q
What determines where major biomes are?
A
Climate/temp/precipitation
4
Q
Examples of biomes:
A
Desert
Temperate grassland
Temperate broadleaf forest
Tropical forest
Northern coniferous forest
5
Q
Tropical Forest
A
- Along equator
- Warm with little seasonal variation
- tropical rainforest = 200-400cm of rain per year
- tropical dry forest = 120-200cm of rain per year
- Vertically layered
- High biodiversity
6
Q
Desert
A
- Up to 50 degrees Celsius and down to -30
- Precipitation <30cm per year
- low sparse vegetation characterised by adaptations against desiccation and herbivory (threat to plants)
7
Q
Savanna
A
- Edges of tropical forest
- Warm, avg = 25 celcius
- Seasonal with pronounced dry season
- Grasslands with scattered trees
- Large mammals and dominant herbivorous insects
- Fire
8
Q
Chaparral
A
- Mediterranean scrubland
- Hot summers, mild winters
- Always on coats (high moisture levels)
- Shrubs and small trees
- High floral diversity
- Fire
9
Q
Temperate grasslands
A
- Centre of North America and Eurasia
- Cold winters, hot summers
- Large grazers
- Fire
- Largely converted to farmland
10
Q
Northern Coniferous forest
A
- Along top of North America and Eurasia
- Largest terrestrial biome on earth
- Very cold winters and warm summers
- relatively dry
- low biodiversity
- close canopy trees
11
Q
Tundra
A
- Only in Northern hemisphere
- Cold and dry
- Low vegetation of Moses,grass,herbs,lichens
- Permafrost (thick layer of frozen soil, undecomposed vegetation)
- Forms huge carbon store
