Desert & Harsh Biomes
What is the main characteristic of a desert?
The lack of water.
What are deciduous trees?
Deciduous trees are hardwoods whose leaves change color and fall off every autumn.
What is the main plant life in grasslands?
Grasses.
What is freshwater?
Water that does not contain salt, or is very low in salt.
What percentage of Earth's water is salty ocean water?
97 %
Name one adaptation of cactus plants in deserts.
Cactus plants store water in their stems and branches, and have thick, waxy cuticles to prevent water evaporation
What kind of forest has mild winters, cool summers, and is dominated by large evergreen trees?
Temperate rain forest.
What is another name for the African grassland?
Savanna
Name the three main categories of organisms in water ecosystems.
Plankton, nekton, and benthos.
Mystery Prize
Double points on the next question!
Where are cold deserts usually found?
Cold deserts are usually found in Asia and are cold.
How do deciduous trees prevent water loss during the winter?
By losing their leaves in autumn.
Why are fires common in grasslands?
Because the biome is dry, and the roots of the plants are deep, allowing the environment to recover quickly.
What type of water ecosystem is a river?
A running-water ecosystem.
What is the shallowest part of the ocean ecosystem?
The intertidal zone.
What prevents trees from growing in the tundra?
The layer of permafrost, or permanently frozen soil, prevents trees from growing.
Name the four layers of the tropical rain forest
forest floor, understory, canopy, emergent layer
Name 3 consumers found in tall grass prairies.
insects: grasshoppers, crickets, butterflies, moths
toads, worms, snakes, spiders, mice, prairie dogs,
Which zone in a freshwater lake has the most oxygen?
The shallow-water zone.
Which oceanic zone is home to many sharks but few producers?
The bathyal zone.
Why do most animals in the desert stay active at night?
Most animals in the desert stay active at night to avoid the heat of the day.
Compare the soil nutrients of tropical rain forests and deciduous forests.
Tropical rain forest soil is nutrient-poor, while deciduous forest soil is rich in nutrients.
What do fires do to help grasslands?
Fires clear old grass and help new grass grow, maintaining the grassland habitat.
How do organisms in fast-moving streams prevent being swept away?
Some grow attached to rocks, while others have strong muscles to swim against strong currents.
What is unique about the abyssal zone in the ocean? how does it affect plant-life?
It is darker and colder than other zones, and without sunlight, producers cannot perform photosynthesis.