Biomes Definitions

Question 1

Biome

Answer 1

A large global ecosystem with its own distinctive vegetation, soils and animals adapted to a particular climate.

Question 2

Climate

Answer 2

the average atmospheric conditions (long term weathe raverages over the past thirty years)

Question 3

Biotic

Answer 3

living factors such as plants, animals, humans and bacteria. Usually the effects or actions of living things such as disease, competition or predation.

Question 4

Abiotic

Answer 4

physical conditions, not derived from living things

Question 5

equatorial

Answer 5

hot, humid forest ecosystems found near the equator between the tropics of Cancer and Capricorn

Question 6

convectional rainfall

Answer 6

rain caused be hot moist air that rises into the atmosphere, cools, condenses and forms clouds and rain.

Question 7

deciduous

Answer 7

broadleaf trees/shrubs that shed their leaves in winter.

Question 8

desertification

Answer 8

process of becoming a desert: a process in which land becomes increasingly dry until almost no vegetation grows on it or making it a desert.

Question 9

ecosystems

Answer 9

an ecological system formed by the interactions of all living organisms with each othe rand with the environment in which they live.

Question 10

evergreen

Answer 10

trees/shrubs that do not loose their leaves yearly.

Question 11

horizen

Answer 11

a layer of soil (top soil)

Question 12

humus

Answer 12

the organic component of soil, formed by the decomposition of leaves and other plant material by soil microorganisms.

Question 13

leaching

Answer 13

the process in which water runs through the soil, dissolving nutrients and minerals and carrying them into subsoil.

Question 14

precipitation

Answer 14

the forms in which moisture is returned to the earth from the sky, most commonly in the form of rain, hail and snow.

Question 15

rain shadow

Answer 15

the dry area on the leeward side of a mountain range

Question 16

salinity

Answer 16

mearsurement of the quantity of salt found in soil. Found in semi arid-arid regions. Caused by over irrigation or vegetation clearing.

Question 17

solar insolation

Answer 17

the energy coming from the sun

Question 18

weathering

Answer 18

the chemical or mechanical process by which rocks exposed to weather undergo changes such as breaking down

Question 19

xerophytic

Answer 19

adaptations that allow plants to cope with dry/drought conditions.

Question 20

spacial distribution

Answer 20

the location of a feature, including absolute and relative locations.