Biosphere Contents

6. Biomes

Conclusion

The term biome is used to refer to a set of large global regions where climate and other conditions generate a distinctive biotic community. Major biomes include: tropical rain forests, tropical grasslands, deserts, Mediterranean woodlands and shrub, temperate grassland, temperate forest, taiga and tundra. The locations and key features of each of these major biomes have been reviewed.

Question and answers

1. What is a biome?

question 1 answers

2. Name eight biomes.

question 2 answers

3. In what three major regions are tropical rain forests found, and what do these locations have in common?

question 3 answers

4. What is the purpose of a 'drip tip'?

question 4 answers

5. Why do rain forest trees have shallow root systems?

question 5 answers

6. What is the term for drought resistant plants?

question 6 answers

7. In what ways are cacti well suited to the desert environment?

question 7 answers

8. How does the fire play an important role in the Mediterranean biome?

question 8 answers

9. What led to the formation of the American 'dust bowl' in the 1930s?

question 9 answers

10. Where and under what climatic conditions is temperate forest found?

question 10 answers

11. What are the climate, vegetation and soil characteristics of taiga?

question 11 answers

Question 1 answer

A biome is a major global ecological community, characterised chiefly by the dominant vegetation and the prevailing climate.

Question 2 answer

Answer could include any eight biomes from the list below:-

Tropical deciduous moist forest
Tropical deciduous dry forest
Tropical coniferous forest
Desert
Savannah
Mediterranean woodlands and scrub
Temperate grasslands
Temperate deciduous and mixed forest
Temperate coniferous forest
Taiga (Boreal forest)
Tundra
Montane grasslands
Flooded grasslands
Mangrove forest

Question 3 answer

South and Central America
Africa
South-East Asia and New Guinea

They are all found close to the equator in the wet tropics.

Question 4 answer

The purpose of the drip tip is to allow the leaf to shed water and dry quickly after rainfall to prevent the growth of fungi and bacteria on the leaf surface.

Question 5 answer

The majority of accessible nutrients in rainforests are tied up in the biomass. As animals die and leaves and trees fall, the nutrients they contain can be quickly taken up by the shallow tree roots.

Question 6 answer

Xerophytic

Question 7 answer

Cacti are well suited to the desert environment as they have various physiological adaptions to store and conserve water, including a modified form of photosynthesis, thick, impervious, waxy cuticles and water storage in their succulent stems.

Question 8 answer

Following fire, many shrubs with fire resistant roots resprout rapidly when it rains. Fire also stimulates flowering or germination of the seeds of some species. Fire plays a major role in maintaining Mediterranean ecosystems.

Question 9 answer

The removal of the soil / turf mat by ploughing and agriculture allowed rapid erosion by wind and water. Also it caused formation of a hardpan below the surface, which rendered the soil virtually impervious to both water and roots.

Question 10 answer

Temperate forest is found in regions where the minimum winter temperature is below freezing, but does not drop below -12°C. Annual rainfall is between 75 and 200cm and is fairly evenly distributed. The three main geographical zones are eastern Asia, western Europe and eastern North America.

Question 11 answer

The climate in the taiga is characterised by cold winters, often with heavy snowfall. Low temperatures in the winter mean that there is little available water and the taiga is physiologically a desert. Tree species are dominated by conifers, although some deciduous trees can be found such as aspen, alder and birch. Due to the acidic leaf litter, soils are normally acidic with very little ground flora. Animal diversity is relatively low.