Podcast
Questions and Answers
What is the definition of a biome?
What is the definition of a biome?
Who originally suggested the term 'biome'?
Who originally suggested the term 'biome'?
How are biomes classified according to Holdridge?
How are biomes classified according to Holdridge?
What is the WWF's scheme for dividing the world's land area?
What is the WWF's scheme for dividing the world's land area?
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What are anthropogenic biomes?
What are anthropogenic biomes?
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What is the main effect of rising temperatures on colder environments?
What is the main effect of rising temperatures on colder environments?
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Which biomes are currently the most vulnerable to climate change?
Which biomes are currently the most vulnerable to climate change?
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What is the classification system based on climate developed by Bailey?
What is the classification system based on climate developed by Bailey?
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Which terrestrial biomes have been predicted to go through the same temperature trends as arctic and mountainous biomes?
Which terrestrial biomes have been predicted to go through the same temperature trends as arctic and mountainous biomes?
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Study Notes
Overview:
- Biome is a biological community formed in response to the physical environment and shared regional climate.
- Microbiome is a mix of organisms that coexist in a defined space on a much smaller scale.
- Biota is the total collection of organisms of a geographic region or a time period, from local geographic scales to whole-planet spatiotemporal scales.
- The term biome was suggested in 1916 by Clements, originally as a synonym for biotic community of Möbius.
- Biomes are classified based on different determinants such as temperature, precipitation, and vegetation types.
- Holdridge classified climates based on the biological effects of temperature and rainfall on vegetation under the assumption that these two abiotic factors are the largest determinants of the types of vegetation found in a habitat.
- Whittaker classified biomes using two abiotic factors: precipitation and temperature.
- Goodall provides a comprehensive coverage of the major "ecosystem types or biomes" on Earth.
- Bailey's system, based on climate, is divided into four domains, with further divisions based on other climate characteristics.
- The WWF developed a scheme that divided the world's land area into biogeographic realms, and these into ecoregions.
- Humans have altered global patterns of biodiversity and ecosystem processes, creating anthropogenic biomes.
- Anthropogenic climate change has the potential to greatly alter the distribution of Earth's biomes.
Effects of climate change:
- Anthropogenic climate change has the potential to greatly alter the distribution of Earth's biomes.
- Average temperatures have risen more than twice the usual amount in both arctic and mountainous biomes, which leads to the conclusion that arctic and mountainous biomes are currently the most vulnerable to climate change.
- Colder environments tend to reflect more sunlight, as a result of the snow and ice covering the ground. Since the annual average temperatures are rising, ice and snow is melting. As a result, albedo is lowered.
- South American terrestrial biomes have been predicted to go through the same temperature trends as arctic and mountainous biomes.
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Description
Test your knowledge on the fascinating topic of biomes and their classification. Learn about the different factors that determine the types of biomes found on Earth and how they are affected by climate change. From the Arctic tundra to tropical rainforests, this quiz covers it all. See how much you know about the world's biomes and the potential impacts of human activities on the planet's biodiversity.