Biomes Flashcards - Chapter 4 Part 2

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Questions and Answers

What is a savannah/tropical grassland?

A tropical or subtropical grassland containing scattered trees and drought-resistant undergrowth.

What characterizes a boreal forest/Taiga?

Low biological diversity, long cold winters, and dominated by coniferous evergreens.

What defines a grassland?

Regions where moderate annual average precipitation supports the growth of grass but not enough for large trees.

What are the key features of a desert?

Low moisture levels and infrequent precipitation with wide fluctuations in temperature. Signup and view all the answers

What is a deciduous forest?

A forest with warm summers and cold winters, where trees lose their leaves. Signup and view all the answers

How is a temperate forest characterized?

By cool, humid weather, abundant rainfall, and moss-covered tree branches. Signup and view all the answers

What is lichen?

A type of vegetation made of fungus and algae growing together. Signup and view all the answers

What does deciduous mean?

Trees that lose their leaves for the winter. Signup and view all the answers

What is permafrost?

A permanently frozen layer of soil beneath the surface. Signup and view all the answers

What does terrestrial mean?

Pertaining to the earth and its inhabitants; referring to land. Signup and view all the answers

What is a habitat?

The area where an organism lives, including biotic and abiotic factors. Signup and view all the answers

What is an ecosystem?

The community of organisms that live in a particular area, along with their nonliving surroundings. Signup and view all the answers

What is a niche?

The role an organism plays in its environment. Signup and view all the answers

What characterizes the tundra biome?

Permafrost, low rainfall, and treeless plains with low average temperatures. Signup and view all the answers

What are temperate deciduous forests known for?

Living in warmer climates, important for hardwood trees, and allowing little low-level vegetation. Signup and view all the answers

What defines temperate rain forests?

Occur with temperatures above freezing, low diversity, and rainfall exceeding 250 centimeters a year. Signup and view all the answers

What are temperate grasslands characterized by?

Regions too dry for forests, dominated by grasses and flowering plants. Signup and view all the answers

What describes a tropical rain forest?

A hot, wet biome with year-round humidity and near the equator. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Savannah/Tropical Grassland

Tropical or subtropical grassland with scattered trees and drought-resistant undergrowth.
Characterized by warm temperatures year-round and alternating wet and dry seasons.
Hosts grazers like herbivores that eat grass and browsers such as giraffes that consume leaves.

Boreal Forest/Taiga

Low biological diversity, long cold winters with short warm seasons.
Dominated by coniferous evergreens, forming dense evergreen forests.
Vulnerable to common fires, storms, and insect outbreaks; contains commercially valuable trees.

Grassland

Found in regions with moderate annual precipitation (25-76 cm or 10-30 in).
Sufficient moisture to support grass and small plants, insufficient for large trees.
Example location: plains of the USA.

Desert

Characterized by low moisture and unpredictable precipitation.
Experiences wide fluctuations in daily and seasonal temperatures.
Known as the driest biome; examples include the Sahara and areas in the United States, Mexico, and Australia.

Deciduous Forest

Defined by warm summers and cold winters; trees (e.g. oak and maple) lose their leaves in winter.
Supports hibernating animals like white-tailed deer, raccoons, and red foxes.

Temperate Forest

Features cool, humid weather with abundant rainfall.
Tree branches draped with mosses and trunks covered with lichens; forest floor layered with ferns.

Lichen

Vegetation comprising fungus and algae, forming crustlike or branching structures on rocks and tree trunks.

Deciduous

Trees that shed leaves during winter, enriching the soil.

Permafrost

A permanently frozen layer of soil found beneath the ground surface.

Terrestrial

Relating to the earth and its land-based inhabitants.

Habitat

The specific area where an organism lives, influenced by both biotic (living) and abiotic (non-living) factors.

Ecosystem

A community of organisms interacting with their nonliving environment within a particular area.

Niche

The specific role or function an organism fulfills in its environment.

Tundra

Low rainfall and permafrost characterize this biome, leading to treeless plains and low average temperatures.
Two forms: Arctic (in high latitudes) and Alpine (in high elevations).

Temperate Deciduous Forests

Occupy warmer climates than Taiga, primarily in North America, Eurasia, and Japan.
Economically significant for hardwood trees, with minimal low-level vegetation.

Temperate Rain Forests

Located in both hemispheres, these forests have temperatures remaining above freezing.
Low diversity of plants and animals, yet significant economically; receive rainfall exceeding 250 cm annually.

Temperate Grasslands

Found in regions too dry for forests and too moist for deserts; dominated by grasses and flowering plants.
Includes North American prairies, Eurasian steppes, African plains, and South American pampas.
Known for rich agricultural soil and a high diversity of large mammals; fire is a natural occurrence.

Tropical Rainforest

Characterized by hot and wet conditions, high humidity year-round, near the equator.
Home to Earth’s richest diversity of plant and animal species, containing two-thirds of known flowering plants.
Abundant populations of insects and invertebrates prevalent in equatorial zones.

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Description

Test your knowledge of various biomes with these flashcards from Chapter 4 Part 2. Learn about tropical grasslands, such as savannahs, and boreal forests, also known as taiga. Perfect for visual learners and those looking to deepen their understanding of ecological zones.