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Questions and Answers
Which biome is characterized by tall, multi-layered forests with over 300 species of trees per hectare?
Which biome is characterized by tall, multi-layered forests with over 300 species of trees per hectare?
In which biome would you expect trees to drop their leaves during the dry season?
In which biome would you expect trees to drop their leaves during the dry season?
What role does fire play in the tropical savanna biome?
What role does fire play in the tropical savanna biome?
Which biome is often found at latitudes of approximately 30-45° and is dominated by grasses?
Which biome is often found at latitudes of approximately 30-45° and is dominated by grasses?
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Which of the following statements is true regarding the soil quality of tropical rainforests?
Which of the following statements is true regarding the soil quality of tropical rainforests?
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What type of climate is typically associated with chaparral biomes?
What type of climate is typically associated with chaparral biomes?
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Which biome is identified as a tropical grassland with scattered trees, often dominated by legumes?
Which biome is identified as a tropical grassland with scattered trees, often dominated by legumes?
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Which of the following is a consequence of the high species richness found in tropical rainforest biomes?
Which of the following is a consequence of the high species richness found in tropical rainforest biomes?
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What is the primary reason the equator receives the most heating from the sun?
What is the primary reason the equator receives the most heating from the sun?
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What is characteristic of the Hadley cell circulation pattern?
What is characteristic of the Hadley cell circulation pattern?
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Which of the following biomes is typically found at about 30 degrees latitude north and south?
Which of the following biomes is typically found at about 30 degrees latitude north and south?
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How does the climate diagram assist in predicting biomes?
How does the climate diagram assist in predicting biomes?
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Which factor does NOT affect soil structure?
Which factor does NOT affect soil structure?
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What primarily reshapes biological communities according to human activities?
What primarily reshapes biological communities according to human activities?
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Which group of biomes includes savanna and prairie?
Which group of biomes includes savanna and prairie?
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What type of soil condition prevents plant growth, even if rainfall occurs?
What type of soil condition prevents plant growth, even if rainfall occurs?
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What type of trees primarily dominate the temperate forests found between 30-50° latitude?
What type of trees primarily dominate the temperate forests found between 30-50° latitude?
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Where is the northern coniferous forest, also known as the taiga, primarily located?
Where is the northern coniferous forest, also known as the taiga, primarily located?
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What is a characteristic feature of the tundra biome?
What is a characteristic feature of the tundra biome?
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Which biome is the world's largest terrestrial biome?
Which biome is the world's largest terrestrial biome?
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What happens to vegetation zones as altitude increases in mountain slopes?
What happens to vegetation zones as altitude increases in mountain slopes?
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Which two deserts are associated with rain-shadow effects caused by mountain ranges?
Which two deserts are associated with rain-shadow effects caused by mountain ranges?
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What type of soil is typically found in the northern coniferous forest?
What type of soil is typically found in the northern coniferous forest?
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Which of the following statements about rainfall in temperate forests at 30-50° latitude is true?
Which of the following statements about rainfall in temperate forests at 30-50° latitude is true?
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Study Notes
Earth's Heating and Climate Zones
- Earth's spherical shape results in uneven heating, leading to latitudinal variation in temperature.
- The Earth's tilt on its axis causes seasonality.
- The equator receives the most direct sunlight, leading to warm air rising, carrying water vapor.
- As warm air rises, it cools, causing condensation and rainfall.
- The cooled, dry air descends, warming up and absorbing moisture, resulting in two major global circulation patterns: Hadley cells (equator to 30 degrees latitude) and Ferrel cells (30 to 60 degrees latitude).
- These cells contribute to the formation of tropical rainforests along the equator and deserts at 30 degrees latitude, both north and south.
Climate Diagrams and Biome Prediction
- Climate diagrams illustrate average monthly temperature and rainfall.
- They help predict the biome likely to be present in a specific location.
- Freezing temperatures, regardless of rainfall, limit plant growth, leading to the presence of permafrost.
- Lack of rain, even with high temperatures, restricts plant growth, resulting in deserts.
Soil Composition and Structure
- Soil contains more organic carbon, both living and dead, below ground than above ground.
- Soil biological communities include organisms like bacteria, fungi, insects, earthworms, and small mammals.
- Soil structure is influenced by the parent rock, climate, topography, and organisms.
Terrestrial Biomes
- Terrestrial biomes are geographically distributed based on climate variations, primarily temperature and precipitation.
- Each biome has unique flora, fauna, and microflora.
- Human activities, like agriculture and urban development, modify climate, biome structure, soil, and hydrology, impacting biological communities.
Major Terrestrial Biomes:
Tropical Rainforest
- Located near the equator (0-15° latitude).
- Warm temperatures year-round with high rainfall (>250 cm/year).
- Characterized by tall, multi-layered forests with high species richness, including hundreds of tree species per hectare.
- Many animals are arboreal, and some are restricted to the canopy.
- Soils are often poor due to rapid decomposition and nutrient reabsorption.
Tropical Dry Forest
- Found at 10-25° latitude.
- Warm temperatures year-round, but with pronounced wet and dry seasons.
- Trees may drop leaves during the dry season.
- High species richness but not as high as Tropical Rainforests.
- Soils are better than in tropical rainforests, leading to greater human impacts.
- Animals may migrate during the dry season.
Tropical Savanna
- Tropical grasslands with scattered trees, often acacia species.
- Typically found at 10-20° latitude.
- Warm temperatures year-round with pronounced wet and dry seasons (drier than Tropical Dry Forest).
- Fire plays a crucial role in maintaining the biome.
- Evolutionary origin of Homo sapiens.
- Known for large herds of grazing mammals like wildebeest and zebra.
Temperate Grasslands
- Similar to tropical savannas but in cooler latitudes (30-45° latitude).
- Dominated by herbaceous plants, especially grasses.
- Often have deep, fertile soils, leading to common conversion for agriculture.
- Fire plays a role in maintaining the biome.
- Large grazing mammals are common (e.g., bison).
- Known by various names: prairie (N.A.), pampas (S.A.), veldt (Africa), steppe (Russia).
Chaparral (Mediterranean Woodland & Shrubland)
- Found in regions with hot, dry summers and cool, moist winters ("Mediterranean climate").
- Typically located at 20-30° latitude.
- Summer fires are common and essential for maintaining the biome.
- Dominated by small trees and shrubs.
- Found around the Mediterranean Sea, southern California, and southwestern Australia.
Desert
- Characterized by extremely low rainfall (<25 cm/year).
- Diverse types of deserts exist depending on latitude, temperature, and rainfall patterns.
- Plant adaptations focus on water conservation.
- Animal adaptations include nocturnal activity and water storage capabilities.
Temperate Deciduous Forest
- Located between 30-50° latitude.
- Distinct seasons with warm summers and cool or cold winters.
- Dominated by broad-leaf, deciduous trees like oaks, maples, and ashes, with some areas dominated by conifers.
- Relatively consistent rainfall throughout the year.
- Fertile soils are present.
- Found in eastern North America, western Europe, Japan, Korea, and eastern China.
Northern Coniferous Forest (Boreal Forest/Taiga)
- Found north of temperate forests (50-65° latitude).
- Dominated by needle-bearing conifers like spruce, fir, and larch.
- The world's largest terrestrial biome.
- Low tree diversity.
- Seasonal climate but colder than temperate forests, with acidic and relatively infertile soils.
Tundra
- Located poleward of Northern Coniferous Forests (above 60° latitude).
- Low precipitation, but wet due to low evaporation rates caused by cold temperatures.
- Presence of permafrost (permanently frozen subsoil) is a defining feature.
- Low-growing vegetation, including lichens, mosses, grasses, dwarf willows, and birches.
Biome Zones Along Mountain Slopes
- As altitude increases, local temperature and humidity change rapidly, mirroring latitudinal variations.
- Biomes transition from low to high altitude in a similar sequence as from low to high latitude.
- Mountains create local atmospheric circulation patterns, resulting in rain shadows on the mountainside away from ocean currents, sometimes leading to desert formation.
- Examples: Taklamakan Desert (Central Asia) due to the Himalayas, and the Mojave Desert (North America) due to the Sierra Nevada.
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Description
This quiz covers the Earth's uneven heating due to its spherical shape and axial tilt, leading to variations in temperature and precipitation. It also explores climate diagrams and their role in predicting biomes, highlighting global circulation patterns. Test your knowledge on the factors influencing Earth's climate and the resulting ecosystems.
