Biomes

Question 1

what is a biome

Answer 1

major terrestrial ecosystem

with unique and specific climatic conditions, soils, organisms, and location

generally following a latitudinal distribution

Question 2

how do mountains effect biomes

Answer 2

Mountains form specific oro-biomes which may differ greatly from the surrounding environment

Question 3

where is the tundra

Answer 3

beyond the arctic circle, no trees

Question 4

tundra climate

Answer 4

cold

Question 5

what is the growing period in the tundra

Answer 5

at most June to September, often shorter

Question 6

soil characteristics of the tundra

Answer 6

permafrost

solifluction

low nitrogen availability

Question 7

taiga climate

Answer 7

extremely cold

Question 8

characteristics of taiga soil

Answer 8

permafrost

podsols

thick O horizons (organic matter layer)

Question 9

what is a steppe and a cold desert

Answer 9

steppe refers to cold grasslands and desert is a cold desert

they experience cold winters with reduced precipitation

Question 10

what is the climate of steppe and cold desert biomes

Answer 10

temperate

Question 11

characteristics of steppe and cold desert soils in humid areas

Answer 11

podsols

Question 12

characteristics of steppe and cold desert soils in semi-arid areas

Answer 12

brown soils, with extensive
A- horizons (topsoil) and very good nutrient supply – most
productive soils on earth

Question 13

characteristics of steppe and cold desert soils in arid areas

Answer 13

lithosols (early soil development stages, mostly broken rock)

Question 14

where are temperate deciduous forests found

Answer 14

mainly in northern hemisphere, bc leaf shedding in forest trees is as a result of cold winter months

Question 15

climate of temperate deciduous forests

Answer 15

cold winter and warm, humid summer months

Question 16

soil of temperate deciduous forests

Answer 16

brown soils with a medium availability of nutrients, old, weathered soils more acidic

Question 17

where does mediterranean shrubland exist?

Answer 17

five distinct zones; in the Mediterranean, California, southern Africa, Chile and SW-Australia

Question 18

climate of mediterranean shrubland biome

Answer 18

winter rains, only a short frost period and a warm, dry summer with water deficits for the vegetation

Question 19

soil characteristics of mediterranean shrubland biome?

Answer 19

usually shallow soil with high base saturation and high nutrient content, but lack of Manganese and Iron

In australia, it has very poor sandy soils

Question 20

location of hot deserts

Answer 20

~ 30° N and S

Question 21

climate of hot deserts

Answer 21

subtropical, arid, high interannual variability in precipitation. Sometimes there are fog deserts - no rain, only fog

Question 22

hot desert soil characteristics`

Answer 22

early developmental stages,

low in organic matter – salt accumulation

Question 23

where are tropical grasslands and savannas located

Answer 23

cover huge regions within the tropics, especially in Africa and S-America

Question 24

tropical grasslands and savannas climate

Answer 24

summer rains, deciduous trees shedding leaves in short dry seasons

Question 25

tropical forest climate

Answer 25

high rainfall, stable temperatures

Question 26

tropical rainforest soils

Answer 26

old poor soils, quick closed nutrient cycles. Very suitable for modern agriculture

Question 27

reference for species interaction

Answer 27

begon et al 2006

Question 28

tropical grassland and savannah vegetation

Answer 28

trees shed leaves in dry season ad make soft eaves in rainy season, but growth halted by poor soils

Question 29

tropical grassland and savannah fauna

Answer 29

highest density of large mammals e.g. serengeti, termites. High diversity. Wildebeest, antelope, elephants, lions

Question 30

hot desert vegetation

Answer 30

halophytes, ephemeral, extensive root system,

Question 31

hot desert fauna

Answer 31

nocturnal animals, burrowing bipeds, flightless beetles, camels

Question 32

mediteranean shrubland vegetation

Answer 32

highly diverse, forests and shrubs. If soils become very poor, it can be heath, some carnivorous plants

Question 33

what is temperate deciduous forest vegetation

Answer 33

dense tree crown cover in summer, flowering in early spring

Question 34

what is temperate deciduous forest fauna

Answer 34

fox, deer

Question 35

what is steppe vegetation

Answer 35

grasses, early flowering herbs, desert halophytes

Question 36

what is steppe fauna

Answer 36

snow leopard, antelope, horses, wolves

Question 37

what is taiga vegetation

Answer 37

mainly conifer forests, large swamps

Question 38

what is taiga fauna

Answer 38

very low biodiversity, moose, tiger