Climate
This biome has very low precipitation, often less than 250mm per year, and can have extremely high daytime temperatures.
What is a hot desert?
Which part of CSVL describes temperature, precipitation, and seasonal patterns?
What is Climate?
Plants in this biome may have thick waxy coatings, reduced leaves/spines, and extensive root systems to conserve water.
What is a desert?
This biome is commonly found around the equator.
What is the tropical rainforest?
Clearing forests to create farmland is an example of a human activity that results in...
What is deforestation?
This biome receives very little precipitation but can have relatively mild temperatures because of its proximity to a cold ocean current.
What is a coastal desert?
This biome's low rainfall and high evaporation result in thin, dry soils with low organic matter.
What is a desert?
A tree has needle-like leaves, a conical shape, and evergreen foliage. These adaptations are particularly useful in which biome?
What is the taiga/boreal forest?
A location is on the western coast of a continent, near a cold ocean current, and receives almost no rainfall. Which biome would you predict?
What is a coastal desert?
Climate change can cause the permafrost in this biome to thaw, altering ecosystems and releasing stored carbon.
What is Arctic tundra?
A region has an average annual temperature below 0°C, extremely low precipitation, permafrost, and vegetation consisting primarily of mosses, lichens, and small shrubs. What biome is this?
What is Arctic tundra?
A biome has deep, fertile soil with abundant organic matter, making it particularly suitable for agriculture. Which biome is this most characteristic of?
What is temperate grassland?
Why do many grasses survive frequent fires and grazing better than trees?
What is faster growth?
This biome can occur at high elevations, even at relatively low latitudes.
What is alpine tundra?
Which biome is particularly vulnerable to overgrazing, which can remove vegetation and contribute to soil degradation?
What is grassland?
This biome has moderate precipitation throughout the year, warm summers, and cold winters. Temperatures and precipitation vary significantly by season, creating a distinct growing season. What biome is most likely being described?
What is a temperate forest?
A biome receives high precipitation, but its soils may still be relatively infertile because heavy rainfall causes nutrients to be washed out of the soil (nutrient leaching). Identify the biome.
What is a tropical rainforest?
A plant has needle-like leaves with a thick, waxy coating and remains evergreen throughout the year.
What environmental challenge are these adaptations primarily helping the plant overcome?
What is water loss and freezing temperatures? (taiga/boreal forest)
This biome is primarily found in high northern latitudes, including much of Canada, Alaska, Scandinavia, and Russia.
What is the taiga/boreal forest?
• Natural habitat becomes divided into smaller patches
• Wildlife has less continuous habitat
• Human activity and pollution increase
What human impact is being described?
What is urbanization?
A biome has cold winters, warm summers, and moderate precipitation, with most precipitation occurring during the growing season. Which biome is most likely?
What is a temperate grassland?
• Average temperatures range from approximately −10°C in winter to 20°C in summer
• Less than 250mm of precipitation annually, much of it falling as snow
• Thin, dry soil with low organic matter
• Sparse vegetation, including shrubs, grasses, and drought-resistant plants
• Located primarily in the interior of continents
What biome is being described?
What is a cold desert?
A plant has large, broad leaves with pointed tips ("drip tips") and a thin leaf surface.
What environmental conditions make these adaptations advantageous?
What are high rainfall and intense competition for sunlight? (tropical rainforest)
• Often found adjacent to tropical rainforests
• Common in East Africa, northern Australia, and parts of South America
• Experiences a distinct wet season and dry season
What biome is being described?
What is tropical grassland (savanna)?
• Vegetation is removed
• Soil is disturbed and exposed
• Sediment can enter nearby waterways
• Toxic substances may contaminate soil and water
What human activity is responsible for these impacts?
What is mining?