Environmental Science:
Study Guide for test: Biomes
Biomes (general)
- What are the reasons for biomes location on planet Earth?
- What is the difference between: species, population, community, and ecosystem
Tundra Biome:
- Definition and characteristics of this biome.
- Flat arctic region. There is always Permafrost (soil is frozen permanently)
- Very cold and dry
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- Where is it generally located?
- Specific latitude…located in the North; Arctic circle – North of the Equator
- Growing season
- Plants/Animals
Low shrubs, grasses, moss
Foxes, birds, musk ox
Animals with fur and blubber
- Adaptations to biome
- Plants grow close together with shallow roots, low to the ground.
- Animals migrate and hibernate
Taiga Biome:
- Definition and characteristics of this biome.
- 2 Seasons – long winter and short summer
- Where is it generally located?
- 60 degrees latitude because of global wind patterns.
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- Growing season
- Short growing season
- Plants/Animals
Bears, moose, rabbits, chipmunks, and squirrels
Tall evergreen trees with cones – Conifers
- Adaptations to biome
- Trees have needles to conserve energy and does not lose moisture
- Needles are stiff and brittle – wax keeps the moisture in
- Trees are cone shaped to not topple over
- Bears hibernate
- Squirrels gather nuts and pine seeds and store the food
Deciduous Forest Biome:
- Definition and characteristics of this biome.
- 4 Seasons
- A biome that is very good for humans
- Where is it generally located?
- In the northern hemisphere
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- Growing season
- Plants/Animals
- Broadleaf trees that drop their leaves in Fall
- Squirrels, rabbits, sparrow birds
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- Adaptations to biome
- Trees have the resources and energy to grow new leaves
- Bears hibernate
- Birds migrate
- Broadleaf/deciduous trees lose their leaves
Grassland Biome:
- Definition and characteristics of this biome.
- Little rain – does not have enough rain for Photosynthesis to carry on.
- Hot
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- Where is it generally located?
- Generally located between deserts and woodlands/forests
- Nebraska, Kansas, North Dakota – Midwest
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- Growing season
- Plants/Animals
- Tall grasses and shrubs
- Buffalo
- Bison, Cows
- Adaptations to biome
- Grass turns brown to stop photosynthesis – not enough rain
- Animals migrate or store food
- The Grasslands are the world’s most productive crop growing biome, especially in the US
Desert Biome:
- Definition and characteristics of this biome.
- Hot during the day and cold at night
- Very little rain
- Sandy soil
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- Where is it generally located?
- Deserts tend to fall around 30 and 90 degrees latitude (Antarctica is a polar dessert) because of global wind patterns/falling air masses, and on the leeward side of mountains/Orographic effect
- Growing season
- Plants/Animals
- Limited amount of organisms – cactus, lizards, snakes
- Adaptations to biome
- Thorns are adapted leaves. The water is stored inside – contain the moisture.
- Thorns protect from animals
- Some cactus have long taproots to reach moisture deep in the ground.
Rainforest Biome:
- Definition and characteristics of this biome.
- Warm, humid, rainy climate
- Poor nutrients
- Where is it generally located?
- Around the Equator at 0 degrees latitude because of global wind patterns/rising air mass
- Growing season
- Plants/Animals
- Greatest amount of organisms
- Colorful plants, insects, birds, reptiles, frogs
- Tall trees and shallow roots and vines
- Adaptations to biome
Because of competition animals have adapted to eating specific foods no other species eat, and some use advanced camouflage for protection
Some trees have grown tall to reach sun, other plants have to adapt to living in low light conditions