Biomes Overview Quiz

Biomes

• Desert
  • Temperatures vary greatly depending on location, from hot days to cool nights
  • Rainfall - less than 25 cm per year, and may be unevenly distributed
  • Soil - shallow and often loose, typically sandy
    • Some deserts have soil with large amounts of salts
  • Flora
    • Plants are adapted to conserve water, such as cacti, shrubs and succulents.
    • These plants are commonly found in areas with some rainfall.
  • Fauna
    • Desert animals are also adapted to conserve water, such as desert rodents, jack rabbits, lizards, snakes, and insects.
    • Many desert animals use underground burrows for shelter and protection from the sun.
• Tundra
  • Temperatures range from -34°C to 12°C
  • Precipitation ranges from 15 to 25 cm per year
  • Soil - Permafrost, or permanently frozen ground, is a key characteristic of tundra biomes.
  • Flora
    • Plants are adapted to short growing seasons and cold temperatures, such as mosses, lichens, grasses, and dwarf shrubs.
  • Fauna
    • Animals are adapted to cold temperatures and harsh conditions, such as caribou, reindeer, arctic foxes, polar bears, lemmings, and snowy owls.
• Alpine Tundra
  • This tundra is located at high altitudes, meaning it occurs on mountains
  • Temperatures are cold, windy, and arid
  • Soil is thin and nutrient-poor
  • Flora
    • Plants are adapted to harsh conditions, such as grasses, small-leafed shrubs, heaths, and mosses and dwarf trees
  • Fauna
    • Animals are adapted to harsh conditions, such as mountain goats, sheep, elk, grouselike birds, and insects.
• Grassland
  • Temperatures vary depending on location, but typically are hot in the summer and cold in the winter
  • Precipitation ranges from 25 to 75 cm per year
  • Soil
    • Typically rich and fertile.
  • Flora
    • Grasses are the dominant plant type, along with wildflowers and herbs.
  • Fauna
    • Grassland animals are adapted to grazing, such as bison, antelope, zebra, and gazelle.
    • Predators such as lions, wolves, and coyotes.
• Tropical Grassland (Savanna)
  • Temperatures are hot year-round.
  • Rainfall is seasonal.
  • Soil is porous, with a thin layer of humus.
  • Flora
    • Grasses are the dominant plant type, along with scattered trees such as acacia, baobab, and river bushwillow.
  • Fauna
    • Savanna animals are adapted to grazing, such as elephants, giraffes, zebras, and buffalo.
    • Predators such as lions, cheetahs, and hyenas.

Key Concepts

• Anti-freezing Chemical: A chemical that prevents the freezing of a plant's cells in cold temperatures.
• Specialized Root System: Roots that are adapted to access water and nutrients in harsh conditions.
• Transpiration Limit: The rate at which a plant can lose water through its leaves.
• Growing Close to the Ground: A strategy that allows plants to avoid cold temperatures and wind.
• Migration: Seasonal movement of animals from one location to another.
• Hibernation: A state of inactivity that allows animals to conserve energy during cold temperatures.
• Hides: Places where animals can find shelter and protection from predators and harsh conditions.