Forests
Which forest is hot and humid all year?
Tropical Forest
Which biome has moderate rainfall and fertile soil?
Grasslands
What is permafrost?
Frozen soil
Name two freshwater ecosystems.
Lakes, rivers, ponds, streams, groundwater, marshes, wetlands
What is biodiversity?
The variety of life in an ecosystem.
What are the four rainforest layers?
Emergent, Canopy, Understory/Under canopy, forest floor / shrub layer
What is the main risk of using grasslands for farming?
Soil depletion / erosion
Why are tundra plants short?
Cold, dry, and frozen soil limits growth.
What type of water do freshwater ecosystems have?
Low salinity
What is an adaptation?
A trait that helps an organism survive.
What adaptation helps deciduous trees survive winter?
Shedding leaves
Why are many desert animals nocturnal?
To avoid daytime heat
Give two tundra animal adaptations.
Thick fur, fat layers, camouflage.
Name two marine zones.
Ocean zones and intertidal zone
What is a keystone species?
A species with a major effect on its ecosystem.
What are the boreal forest trees mostly?
Coniferous
Name two desert plant adaptations.
Store water (succulents), spines instead of leaves, shallow roots.
Why are there fewer species in tundra than tropical forests?
Harsh climate and limited resources.
Why are coral reefs called the “rainforests of the sea”?
Very high biodiversity.
What is migration?
Seasonal movement of animals.
Compare biodiversity of tropical, temperate, and boreal forests.
Tropical = highest, temperate = moderate, boreal = lowest
Compare animal survival strategies in grasslands vs. deserts.
Grasslands: migration, speed. Deserts: nocturnal, burrowing, water storage.
What could happen if permafrost melted?
Release of greenhouse gases, soil instability, ecosystem changes.
How does water depth affect ocean life?
Light and pressure change → different species at different depths.
Why are keystone species critical for ecosystems?
Without them, ecosystems can collapse or lose balance.