Unit 2 biomes Flashcards
Characteristics of tundra biome
Location: High latitudes – Arctic Circle (e.g., Siberia, Alaska, Canada, Scandinavia)
Climate:
Very cold (avg. temp often below 0°C)
Long, harsh winters; short, cool summers
Low precipitation (less than 250 mm/year)
Soil:
Permafrost: permanently frozen ground
Poor drainage, nutrient-poor
Vegetation:
No trees
Only mosses, lichens, grasses, and small shrubs
Wildlife Adaptations:
Thick fur or fat for insulation (e.g., Arctic foxes, caribou)
Migration and hibernation strategies
Human Impacts:
Oil/gas extraction (e.g., Yamal Peninsula)
Permafrost melting due to climate change
Characteristics of Rainforest biome
Location: Near the Equator (e.g., Amazon, Congo, Southeast Asia)
Climate: Hot and humid all year (avg. temp ~27°C, high rainfall ~2000+ mm/year)
Biodiversity: Extremely high — over 50% of the world’s plant and animal species
Layers: Emergent, Canopy, Understory, Forest Floor
Soil: Nutrient-poor due to heavy rain leaching minerals
Human Threats: Deforestation, logging, mining, agriculture
Adaptations: Drip tips on leaves, buttress roots, climbing vines (lianas)
Where is the Borneo Rainforest and why is it significant?
Located on Borneo island (shared by Indonesia, Malaysia, Brunei)
Covers ~743,330 km²
One of the most biodiverse regions in the world
Home to orangutans, pygmy elephants, proboscis monkeys
How has palm oil affected Borneo’s rainforest?
Caused 39% forest loss since the 1970s
Major production in Malaysia and Indonesia
Destroys habitats (e.g., orangutans)
Releases carbon, worsening climate change
What is the impact of illegal logging in Borneo?
Among the highest illegal logging rates globally
Timber often exported to China and Europe
Leads to ecosystem degradation, fires, and invasive species
What caused the 2019 fires in Kalimantan, and what were the impacts?
Fires set to clear land for agriculture
2019 fires destroyed 860,000 hectares
Released GHGs, caused air pollution
Affected Southeast Asia, caused health crises and tensions
What are the consequences of mining in Borneo?
Coal and gold mining often violate protected zones
Causes soil erosion, chemical water pollution, and deforestation
Damages biodiversity and ecosystems
What initiatives are helping conserve Borneo’s rainforest?
Heart of Borneo Initiative: 220,000 km² protected
Community programs for eco-tourism and agriculture
REDD+ (UN) and WWF restoring habitats and funding local sustainability
Where is the Yamal Peninsula and what biome is it part of?
Located in northwestern Siberia, Russia
Part of the Arctic Tundra biome
Characterized by permafrost, low vegetation, extreme cold
Who are the Nenets and how do they live?
Indigenous people of Yamal
Nomadic reindeer herders
Their lifestyle is threatened by climate change and industrial development
What are the effects of permafrost thawing in Yamal?
Caused by Arctic warming (Yamal is one of the fastest-warming areas)
Releases methane & CO₂ → worsens climate change
Leads to infrastructure collapse (roads, buildings, pipelines)
What are the methane craters in Yamal, and why do they matter?
Caused by explosive methane releases
Over 20 craters found, some 30m wide
Indicate methane instability, harm ecosystems, pose safety risks
How has industry impacted Yamal’s environment?
Yamal is rich in natural gas (e.g., Yamal LNG project)
Industrial activity leads to habitat loss, pollution, and noise
Disrupts reindeer migration and increases human intrusion
What challenges do Nenets communities face today?
Loss of pasture lands due to construction
Forced to abandon nomadism
Leads to cultural erosion and economic hardship
How is biodiversity being affected in the Yamal tundra?
Rising temperatures shrink habitats
Species like the Arctic fox are declining
Shrub invasion disrupts the food chain and native plants
What efforts are being made to protect Yamal’s tundra?
Russian scientists monitoring permafrost and methane
Arctic Council promotes sustainable development
NGOs support Nenets land rights
Companies like Novatek pressured to use cleaner tech
Global Methane Pledge aims to reduce emissions (indirectly helps)
