Biomes Flashcards

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Questions and Answers

What is a biome?

A biome is an area of the planet that can be classified according to the plants and animals that live in it.

What factors determine what life exists in a biome?

Temperature, soil, and the amount of light and water help determine what life exists in a biome.

What is an ecosystem?

An ecosystem is the interaction of living and nonliving things in an environment.

What is the difference between a biome and an ecosystem?

A biome can be made up of many ecosystems. For example, an aquatic biome can contain ecosystems such as coral reefs and kelp forests. Signup and view all the answers

How are biomes classified?

Not all scientists classify biomes in the same way. Some use broad classifications and count as few as six biomes, while others list dozens of different biomes. Signup and view all the answers

Where are the boundary lines between biomes?

Boundaries between biomes are not always sharply defined, and there are sometimes transition zones between different biomes. Signup and view all the answers

How are biomes affected by climate change?

Biomes move as the climate changes, with historical evidence showing how regions can transform dramatically over time. Signup and view all the answers

What factors affect biomes?

Factors include length of daylight and darkness, length of growing season, soil types, and precipitation. Signup and view all the answers

How are biomes characterized?

Biomes are characterized by communities of plants and animals, adaptations for survival, and various ecosystems. Signup and view all the answers

What can you tell me about desert biomes?

Desert biomes are the driest, receiving about 50cm of rainfall a year, and have organisms that adapt to extreme conditions. Signup and view all the answers

What can you tell me about forest biomes?

Forest biomes cover about 1/3 of the Earth's land surface and are dominated by trees with varied plants and animals. Signup and view all the answers

What can you tell me about freshwater biomes?

Freshwater biomes have a salt level of less than 1% and are critical for drinking water and plant growth. Signup and view all the answers

What can you tell me about grassland biomes?

Grassland biomes vary in grass length and tree numbers based on rainfall, including savanna and temperate grassland. Signup and view all the answers

What can you tell me about marine biomes?

Marine biomes cover about 70% of the Earth's surface and include oceans, coral reefs, and estuaries. Signup and view all the answers

What can you tell me about tundra biomes?

Tundra biomes are the coldest, receive less rainfall than most deserts, and have limited species diversity. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Biomes Overview

A biome is a large area classified by its distinct plant and animal communities.
Major determining factors for a biome include temperature, soil, light, and water availability.

Ecosystems vs Biomes

An ecosystem involves interactions between living and nonliving elements in a specific environment.
A biome comprises multiple ecosystems; for example, an aquatic biome includes coral reefs and kelp forests.

Classification of Biomes

Classification varies among scientists; some recognize six major biomes:
- Forest
- Grassland
- Freshwater
- Marine
- Desert
- Tundra
More detailed classifications can identify numerous biomes based on specific characteristics.

Boundary Definitions

Biome boundaries are often indistinct, with transition zones like grasslands between forests and coasts between aquatic and terrestrial biomes.

Climate Change Impact

Climate change causes biomes to shift; historical lush areas in North Africa transformed into the Sahara Desert.

Factors Influencing Biomes

Key influences on biomes include:
- Length of daylight and darkness
- Growing season length
- Soil types
- Precipitation variations and intensity

Characteristics of Biomes

Communities consist of interdependent plants and animals.
Adaptations are traits evolved for survival in specific environments.
Multiple ecosystems contribute to the overall structure of a biome.

Desert Biomes

Characterized as the driest biome; receives around 50cm of rainfall annually.
Organisms must adapt to extreme temperature changes and scarce water supply.
Types include hot and dry, semiarid, coastal, and cold deserts.

Forest Biomes

Forests occupy approximately one-third of the Earth's land surface.
Dominated by trees, they play a crucial role in carbon absorption and oxygen production.
Types include tropical, deciduous, and taiga (boreal) forests.

Freshwater Biomes

Freshwater is defined as having less than 1% salt content, crucial for various species.
Essential for drinking water and supporting plant life.
Includes ponds, lakes, streams, rivers, and wetlands.

Grassland Biomes

Grass length and tree density depend on rainfall, which is greater than deserts but less than rainforests.
Trees primarily grow near water sources.
Types include savannas and temperate grasslands.

Marine Biomes

Cover about 70% of the Earth's surface and include deep areas capable of housing mountains and volcanoes.
Provide most of the planet's rainfall and support diverse marine life.
Categories include oceans, coral reefs, and estuaries.

Tundra Biomes

The coldest biome, featuring limited species diversity.
Named from the Finnish word "tunturi," meaning treeless plain.
Receives less rainfall than deserts but remains waterlogged due to slow evaporation; supports hardy plants like mosses and lichens with short growing seasons.

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Description

Test your understanding of biomes and ecosystems with these flashcards. Each card covers key definitions and factors that shape different biomes. Perfect for students studying ecology and environmental science.