Terrestrial biomes

Question 1

Tundra

Answer 1

• climate: cold (-94-10F); dry
• precipitation: 15-25 cm per year
• characterized: permafrost; above tree line; sedges, Forbes, and grasses; lichens & mosses; extend weather; short summer/growing season
• geography: south of polar ice caps in N. hemisphere

Question 2

Desert

Answer 2

• climate: temperature fluctuates; very dry
• precipitation: 2-26 cm per year
• characterized: cacti; plants/animals sparse, sand dunes
• geography: every continent except Europe

Question 3

Boreal Forest

Boreal definition: north

Answer 3

• climate: cold (-65-60F); some rain
• precipitation: 30-84 cm per year
• characterized: little permafrost; some trees (conifers and shrubs); extreme weather; 1/3 forested land; decomposition slow; fire important
• geography: northern part of N. America, Europe, Asia

Question 4

Temperate evergreen forest

Answer 4

• climate: (50-80F); wet
• precipitation: 50-400 cm per year
• characterized: lower diversity of trees; conifers, pines, junipers, etc. (nutrient poor soil)
• geography: Western N. America, Southern S. America, Australia

Question 5

Temperate woodland & shrubland

Answer 5

•climate: hot (50-100F) fairly dry
•precipitation: 38-100 cm per year
•characterized: scrubs and small trees; seasonality of precipitation; fires promote higher biodiversity
*winger rainy season in Mediterranean region
•geography: N. America, S. America, Asia, Africa, Australia

Question 6

Tropical rainforest

Answer 6

•Low latitude (between 10 degrees N & S)
•climate: warm (75-80F)
•precipitation: wet (>79 inches rainfall per year)
•characterized: no real season, broadleaf evergreens, and ferns
*contains roughly 50% earths species
*geography: Africa, S. American, Central America, Asia

Question 7

Temperate grassland

Answer 7

•climate: hot (40-100F); fairly dry
•precipitation: 50-89 cm per year
•characterized: grasses and Forbes; strong seasonality; fire promotes biodiversity
*short grass, mixed grass, tall grass
•geography: N. America, S. America, Asia, Africa, Australia

Question 8

Temperate deciduous forest

Answer 8

•climate: (22-86F); fairly wet
•precipitation: 75-150 cm per year
•characterized: large deciduous trees; due to freezing
*sufficient rainfall and soil fertility support growth
•geography: Eastern N. America, Eastern Asia, Australia, Europe

Question 9

Tropical seasonal forest

Answer 9

•north to tropics of Capricorn and cancer
•climate: warm (70-90F); wet and dry seasons
•characterized: trees, orchids, mosses
*vegetation gradients related to precipitation gradients
•geography: Africa, S. America, Central America, Australia, Asia