Ecosystems

Question 1

What is a biome?

Answer 1

large-scale ecosystem that has distinct vegetation

Question 2

Why is soil in the temperate forest biome nutrient-rich?

Answer 2

leaves are broken down into the soil which makes it good for farming

Question 3

Where can tropical grasslands be found?

Answer 3

between the tropics

Question 4

What are the 2 seasons in a grassland?

Answer 4

wet and dry

Question 5

What altitude are temperate grasslands located: higher or lower?

Answer 5

higher

Question 6

What is the annual rainfall in the tropical grasslands biome?

Answer 6

600-900mm

Question 7

What is the tropical grasslands temperature range?

Answer 7

20-35 degrees celcius

Question 8

What is the other name for a tropical grassland biome?

Answer 8

savannah

Question 9

Give an example of a Savannah

Answer 9

Ilanos of Colombia

Question 10

How does grass dying in the dry season affect the nutrients in soil?

Answer 10

dead organic matter can lead to more nutrients in soil

Question 11

Give an example of a desert

Answer 11

Saharah desert

Question 12

Why is it hard for plants to grow in a desert biome?

Answer 12

there is little soil and the soil is very infertile

Question 13

Do plants in a desert biome have long or short life-cycles?

Answer 13

short

Question 14

How much rain does a desert biome get annually?

Answer 14

less than 25cm

Question 15

What is the average day temperature of a desert according to NASA?

Answer 15

38 degrees celcius

Question 16

Why does a desert have such high temperatures in the Summer?

Answer 16

there is low humidity to block the sun’s rays

Question 17

Name an example of a Tundra biome

Answer 17

Alaska

Question 18

Which people live in the Canadian tundra?

Answer 18

indigenous Inuit people

Question 19

What is the average temperature in Winter for a Tundra biome?

Answer 19

-35 degrees celcius

Question 20

How many seasons are in a Tundra biome?

Answer 20

4 seasons

Question 21

What covers the ground in a Tundra biome?

Answer 21

permafrost

Question 22

What can be found on top of permafrost in a Tundra biome?

Answer 22

tiny layer of acidic, infertile soil on top

Question 23

Name 3 animals which can be found in the Tundra biome.

Answer 23

• wolves
  -reindeer
• owls

Question 24

Which 3 plants can be found in the Tundra biome?

Answer 24

• shrubs
• flowering plants
• grasses

Question 25

How many seasons does a temperate forest have?

Answer 25

4 seasons

Question 26

What is the annual rainfall in a temperate forest?

Answer 26

1000-1500mm

Question 27

name 3 animals which can be found in a temperate forest

Answer 27

- squirrels - hedgehogs - owls

Question 28

Where are tropical forests found?

Answer 28

near the Equator

Question 29

What is the temperature range for a tropical forest

Answer 29

20-28 degrees celcius

Question 30

What is the annual rainfall for a tropical forest?

Answer 30

around 2000mm

Question 31

Why is soil fertility in tropical forests low?

Answer 31

heavy rainfall washes away nutrients

Question 32

Why is there a constant growing season in a tropical forest biome?

Answer 32

A constant climate leads to a constant growing season

Question 33

Why does little light reach the floor of a tropical forest?

Answer 33

Vegetation is dense

Question 34

Name 3 animals found in a tropical forest

Answer 34

- gorillas - sloths - tree frogs

Question 35

What type of plants are found in a tropical forest and boreal forest?

Answer 35

evergreen

Question 36

What does evergreen mean?

Answer 36

can shed their leaves in all months of the year

Question 37

What is the most common biome on Earth?

Answer 37

boreal forest

Question 38

What is another name for a boreal forest?

Answer 38

taiga forest

Question 39

Name an example of where a boreal forest can be found

Answer 39

Russia

Question 40

Name 3 animals found in a taiga forest

Answer 40

- lynxes - wolves - eagles

Question 41

Which 2 trees are mainly found in a boreal forest?

Answer 41

coniferous pine and coniferous fir

Question 42

Is permafrost common in a taiga forest?

Answer 42

yes

Question 43

Why does it take a long time for dead matter to decompose in a boreal forest?

Answer 43

enzymes in the ground do not work quickly

Question 44

Which hemisphere are boreal forests found?

Answer 44

northern hemisphere

Question 45

What temperature can boreal forests fall to in Winter?

Answer 45

-10 degrees celcius

Question 46

What is the annual rainfall for a taiga forest?

Answer 46

30-85 cm

Question 47

Where are temperate grasslands found: lower or higher altitudes?

Answer 47

higher

Question 48

Give an example of a temperate grassland

Answer 48

Northern American Prairies

Question 49

What is the maximum temperature in the Summer for a temperate grassland?

Answer 49

40 degrees celcius

Question 50

Name 3 animals found in a temperate grassland

Answer 50

- bison - gazelles - wild horses

Question 51

What is the soil like in temperate grasslands?

Answer 51

- thick and rich in nutrients - hot Summers mean quick decomposition

Question 52

What plants can be found in temperate grasslands?

Answer 52

- grasses - small plants

Question 53

Which 5 things affect the distribution of biomes?

Answer 53

1) Drainage 2) Rock type 3) Soil type 4) Climate 5) Altitude

Question 54

How does drainage affect the distribution of biomes?

Answer 54

- soil gets waterlogged easily - plants can only survive if adapted to damp conditions

Question 55

What does rock permeability affect?

Answer 55

local water supply

Question 56

How does rock type affect distribution of biomes?

Answer 56

- some rocks can erode easily and contain minerals - areas will have more nutrient rich soil - more plants can grow

Question 57

How does soil type affect distribution of biomes?

Answer 57

- nutrient-rich soils support plant life which leads to larger ecosystems and more biodiversity - pH of soil can determine which plants can survive

Question 58

Are temperatures lower or higher at higher altitudes?

Answer 58

lower

Question 59

Why is it good to have warm temperatures?

Answer 59

better support of biodiverse ecosystems

Question 60

How does high altitude affect soil?

Answer 60

-there is thin soils at high altitudes - this is because there is no dead organic matter to support nutrient cycling