The Earth's Biomes

Question 1

fresh water biomes fall into 2 categories which are..

Answer 1

1. standing water biomes

2. flowing water biomes

Question 2

describe shallow water

Answer 2

photosynthesis and roots from terrestrial biomes

Question 3

define aphotic zones

Answer 3

decomposition and nutrient cycling

Question 4

aphotic zones are found in…

Answer 4

deep water

Question 5

river and streams are composed of

Answer 5

flowing water

Question 6

what influences plant and animal life in rivers and streams?

Answer 6

flow and sediment

Question 7

terrestrial biomes reflect

Answer 7

regional variations in climate

Question 8

how many terrestrial biomes exist?

Answer 8

9

Question 9

terrestrial biomes are primarily distinguished by

Answer 9

the predominant vegetation

Question 10

what are some key factors that determine what type of biome exists in a region?

Answer 10

precipitation, temperature, fire

Question 11

what occurs in geographically distant places if the climate is similar?

Answer 11

the same type of biome

Question 12

tropical rainforests occur in

Answer 12

equatorial areas

Question 13

tropical rainforests experience what types of days and temperatures?

Answer 13

days: 11-12 hour
temperatures: warm

Question 14

tropical rainforests have _______ rainfall

Answer 14

variable

some seasonal: some not seasonal

Question 15

tropical rainforests harbor…

Answer 15

large #’s of species

Question 16

savannas are _____ year-round

Answer 16

warm

Question 17

how much rainfall do savannas experience?

Answer 17

30-50 cm of annual rainfall

Question 18

savannas experience dramatic…

Answer 18

seasonal variation

Question 19

savannas are dominated by

Answer 19

grasses and scattered tress

Question 20

savannas have _____ as the dominant herbivores

Answer 20

insects

Question 21

deserts are the…

Answer 21

driest of all terrestrial biomes

Question 22

deserts have _____ and _______ rainfall

Answer 22

low

unpredictable

Question 23

in a desert, what is keyed to rainfall?

Answer 23

growth and reproduction cycles

Question 24

temperatures of deserts can range from…

Answer 24

very hot to very cold

Question 25

define desertification

Answer 25

the conversion of semiarid regions of desert

Question 26

give an example of convergent evolution in the desert

Answer 26

sidewinder snakes

Question 27

the chaparral is characterized by

Answer 27

dense, spiny shrubs with tough evergeen leaves

Question 28

chaparral experiences what type of winters?

Answer 28

mild and rainy

Question 29

chaparral experiences what type of summers?

Answer 29

hot and dry

Question 30

the chaparral has vegetation that is

Answer 30

adapted to periodic fires

Question 31

temperate grasslands are mostly ______ except along _____ or ______.

Answer 31

• treeless
• rivers
• streams

Question 32

temperate grasslands are found in regions of

Answer 32

relatively cold winters

Question 33

describe the precipitation of temperate grasslands

Answer 33

~25-75 cm/year with periodic droughts

Question 34

in North America temperate grasslands have been grazed by…

Answer 34

large bison and pronghorn

Question 35

what has replaced most of North America’s temperate grasslands?

Answer 35

productive farms

Question 36

temperate broadleaf forests have many

Answer 36

tree species

Question 37

broadleaf forests grow where

Answer 37

there is sufficient moisture to support tree growth

Question 38

describe the temperatures of broadleaf forests

Answer 38

wide-ranging

Question 39

temperate broadleaf forest’s precipitation is

Answer 39

high with 75-150 cm

Question 40

broadleaf forests typically have a growing season of

Answer 40

5-6 months

Question 41

compare the trees of temperate broadleaf forests and tropical rain forests

Answer 41

• more open

- not as tall and diverse

Question 42

what dominates coniferous forests?

Answer 42

cone-bearing evergreens

Question 43

define taiga

Answer 43

the northern coniferous forest

Question 44

what is the largest terrestrial biome on Earth?

Answer 44

the taiga

Question 45

the taiga is characterized by

Answer 45

• long, cold winters

- short, wet summers

Question 46

what are also recognized as coniferous forests?

Answer 46

temperate rain forests of coastal North America

Question 47

what characterizes the artic tundra?

Answer 47

long, bitter-cold winters

Question 48

the tundra covers expansive areas of the artic between…

Answer 48

the taiga and the permanently frozen polar ice

Question 49

the treeless artic tundra is characterized by

Answer 49

permafrost

Question 50

define permafrost

Answer 50

continously frozen subsoil

Question 51

the treeless artic tundra may receive as little precipitation as

Answer 51

some deserts

Question 52

what has caused major changes to the artic tundra?

Answer 52

global warming

Question 53

polar ice covers….

Answer 53

-land north of the tundra
-the artic ocean
the continent of Antarctica

Question 54

polar ice temperatures are

Answer 54

extremely cold year-round

Question 55

the polar ice has low…

Answer 55

precipitation

Question 56

the terrestrial polar biome is closely interconnected with the

Answer 56

neighboring marine biome

Question 57

cave systems have…

Answer 57

little to no light

Question 58

cave systems are often reliant on

Answer 58

nutrients from other sources (often aquatic)

Question 59

what connects biomes?

Answer 59

global cycles

Question 60

all parts of the biosphere are linked by

Answer 60

• the global water cycle

- nutrient cycles

Question 61

what continuously moves water between land, oceans, and the atmosphere?

Answer 61

precipitation
evaporation
transpiration