Biomes
What is a Biome?
A biome is a large area of the Earth with a particular climate, plants and animals, like deserts, forests, or grasslands.
Why does Australia have many different biomes?
Because it is such a big country with different climates in the north and south.
Where do most people in Australia get their food from?
The supermarket.
What are the three factors that make up food security?
Food availability, food accessibility, and knowing how to use food appropriately.
What is food security?
Having reliable access to enough safe, nutritious food.
What is the main difference between terrestrial and aquatic biomes?
Terrestrial biomes are found on land, while aquatic biomes are found in water.
What is Australia the second driest continent after?
Antarctica
How do climate factors like rainfall and temperature influence farming?
They decide which crops and animals can survive — for example, rice needs warm, wet conditions, while sheep can live in drier areas.
Which regions of the world have the highest levels of food insecurity?
Sub-Saharan Africa and parts of Asia.
Name one way water scarcity can affect food production.
Without enough water, crops can’t grow and animals don’t have enough to drink.
What are two differences between boreal and temperate forests?
Boreal forests are colder, with mostly conifer (pine) trees and long winters. Temperate forests have warmer summers, four clear seasons, and more types of plants and animals.
What is the largest natural biome in Australia?
Desert — about 18% of Australia is desert, and much more is arid or semi-arid land.
What is soil made of?
A mix of air, water, tiny bits of rock, and organic matter like dead plants and animals.
Which two continents will have the biggest population growth by 2050?
Asia and Africa.
Give one example of how climate change can make farming harder.
It can cause droughts, floods, or changes in rainfall that damage crops.
Why are grasslands important for human populations?
They provide much of the world’s food and fibre. Crops like wheat, rice and corn grow there, and many farm animals live in grasslands.
Which two major world biomes are not found in Australia?
Polar lands and tundra
What is the main difference between intensive and extensive farming?
intensive farming uses small areas of land to produce lots of food (like vegetables or chickens), while extensive farming uses large areas of land for animals like sheep or cattle.
What farming changes made up the Green Revolution?
High-yield crops, fertilisers and pesticides, and new machines like tractors and irrigation systems.
What is one way non-native plants, animals, or insects can threaten food security?
They can damage or destroy crops, for example locust swarms or beetles eating stored grain
Explain how clearing rainforests for farming or mining can affect people both nearby and in distant places.
Nearby, people may lose homes, food, or medicine that comes from the rainforest. Far away, it can cause less oxygen, more carbon dioxide, and changes in world climate and rainfall.
How has latitude influenced the distribution of Australia’s biomes?
The north is tropical with rainforests and savannas, while the south is cooler with temperate forests and grasslands. Deserts dominate the centre where rainfall is low.
Name two environmental factors and two technological/economic factors that can influence a farmer’s crop yield.
Environmental: rainfall, soil fertility. Technological/economic: money for machinery, access to markets.
Name two benefits and two concerns about genetically modified (GM) foods.
Benefits: higher yields, resistance to pests or drought. Concerns: possible long-term health effects, impacts on the environment and other plants.
Explain how armed conflict can cause food insecurity.
Farms may be destroyed, food stolen, or people forced to fight instead of growing food, leading to famine in whole regions.