Types of Biomes and their Features
Human Alterations to Biomes
Geo Skills - Latitude and Longitude
Geo Skills - Climate Graphs
Glossary Terms
100
Define the term "biome".
A major ecosystem extending over a large area that is characterised by a dominant vegetation type and similar climate.
100
Name three ways that humans alter biomes.
Eg. Land clearing, terracing, irrigation, drainage, crop cultivation, grazing.
100
The equator splits the Earth into two sections, called the........
Northern and Southern hemispheres
100
On a climate graph, what is represented by the blue bar graph?
Rainfall/precipitation
100
Define precipitation.
Water falling from the clouds in the form of rain, hail, snow or sleet.
200
Name a biome that has high daytime temperatures and low precipitation
Desert
200
This is an example of which human alteration to a biome?
Terracing
200
The main line of longitude is called the....
Prime Meridian
200
On a climate graph, what is represented by the red line graph?
Average temperature
200
Define climate.
The average type of weather experienced in a particular place over an extended period.
300
Which two biomes are alike in that they have very low rainfall?
Desert and tundra
300
Name three industries that use palm oil.
Food, beauty, fuel.
300
What are the three main lines of latitude?
Equator, Tropic of Capricorn, Tropic of Cancer
300
According to the above climate graph, in which month did Zurich have the lowest average temperature? What was the temperature?
January. -1° C
300
Define agriculture.
The practice of growing crops or raising livestock to produce food or products.
400
At which line of latitude would you be most likely to find a tropical rainforest? What kind of weather would you find there?
Near the equator (0degrees latitude). High rainfall/humidity, warm temperatures.
400
Name two reasons that humans might alter a natural biome.
Eg. To build settlements, agriculture, transportation
400
In July, how would the weather be different in Australia and the USA?
It would be winter in Australia and summer in the USA.
400
According to the climate graph, in which month did Zurich experience the highest total precipitation? How much was it?
July. 160mm
400
Define aquifer.
An underground layer of permeable rock, sand, soil or gravel that holds and transmits groundwater.
500
Name an animal or plant that has adapted to thrive in a particular biome.
Eg. A camel has adapted to store large amounts of water in its body, so that it can survive long periods without access to water in the desert.
500
Name three impacts (environmental, social or economic) of Indonesia's palm oil plantations.
eg. Destruction of the natural biome (rainforest) and the habitats that it provides.
Air pollution from slash and burn techniques.
Unethical farming practices.
No safety or financial security for farm workers.
500
Which letter is found at 60° S and 60° W?
J
500
What can you tell about the location from which this climate data was collected? Consider hemisphere, latitude and biome in your response.
Close to equator (warm temperatures all year). Northern hemisphere (more rainfall during summer months in tropical rainforest biome, thus summer is during June-August)
500
Define monoculture.
The cultivation or growth of a single crop, particularly related to agriculture/farming.