Biomes Unit Review

How does deforestation contribute to a change in climate and increase the chance of floods in a biome?

When you take all of the plants and trees away from a biome, there is nothing left to take in the water when it rains, leaving you with a big wet mess.

Describe a threat to each of the biomes discussed in question 5.

1. Tropical Rainforest- Deforestation/Logging, Loss of animals and plants for trade, and slash and burn agriculture. 2. Desert- Recreation/tourism, use of land for storage of hazardous material, damage from recreational vehicles, and use of land for huge solar panel facilities. 3. Temperate Deciduous- Urbanization. 4. Arctic Tundra- climate Change 5. Taiga- deforestation 6. Savanna- overgrazing 7. Chaparral- Recreation/tourism and urbanization.

List three characteristics of each biome: 1. Tropical Rainforest 2. Desert 3. Temperate Deciduous 4. Arctic Tundra 5. Taiga 6. Savanna 7. Temperate grassland Chaparral

1. hot, wet, lush. 2.terrestrial. extreme temps, Near Freezing at night 3. warm year round, distinct wet and dry seasons, during the dry seasons trees lose their leaves. 4. harshest biome, found in the arctic and on mountain tops. little rain, 5. low biodiversity, supports large mammals found in Russia and Canada. 6. distinct dry and wet seasons, insufficient rain for trees to grow at any time. 7. The average rainfall is 10 to 17 inches a year, Many of the plants found in the chaparral biome are also found in the desert biome, The dry summer makes the chaparral biome sensitive to fires.

Explain how altitude is related to precipitation and temperature.

As you increase in elevation, there is less air above you thus the pressure decreases. As the pressure decreases, air molecules spread out further (i.e. air expands) and the temperature decreases.

What are some (5) adaptions animals in harsh environments might have?

Camouflage, Large ears, use plants and forest for food and shelter, Migration.

Explain how the temperature and precipitation determine which plants grow in an area.

Climate is the average weather conditions in an area over a long period of time. Climate is the main factor in determining which plants can grow in a certain area, which in turn defines the biome. Temperature and precipitation are the two most important factors that determine a region's climate.

Explain how latitude and altitude affect which plants grow in an area. How is latitude different than altitude?

Latitude is the distance north or south from the equator, and is expressed in degrees. Altitude is the height of an object above a reference point, such as sea level or the Earth's surface. Climate varies with latitude and altitude.

How might a mountain affect where particular types of biomes are located?

The higher up the mountain, the colder it gets. If animals can't live in cold climates, they won't be in that biome. Same goes for plants.

What is the relationship between root systems and erosion in a grassland ecosystem

The roots of crops are shallow so soil erosion eventually occurs.

Which biome would you expect to find in warm to hot conditions with a large amounts of moisture?

Tropical Rainforest

Describe the difference between Tropical and temperate grassland:

Tropical grasslands have more rainfall than temperate grasslands.

Describe the main layers of the tropical rainforest and what kinds of plants grow in each layer.

Tropical rainforests have four layers: Emergent Layer These giant trees thrust above the dense canopy layer and have huge mushroom-shaped crowns. These trees enjoy the greatest amount of sunlight but also must endure high temperatures, low humidity, and strong winds. Canopy Layer The broad, irregular crowns of these trees form a tight, continuous canopy 60 to 90 feet above the ground. The branches are often densely covered with other plants (epiphytes) and tied together with vines (lianas). The canopy is home to 90% of the organisms found in the rain forest; many seeking the brighter light in the treetops. Understory Receiving only 2-15% of the sunlight that falls on the canopy, the understory is a dark place. It is relatively open and contains young trees and leafy herbaceous plants that tolerate low light. Many popular house plants come from this layer. Only along rivers and roadways and in treefall and cut areas is sunlight sufficient to allow growth to become thick and impenetrable Forest Floor The forest floor receives less than 2% of the sunlight and consequently, little grows here except plants adapted to very low light. On the floor is a thin layer of fallen leaves, seeds, fruits, and branches that very quickly decomposes. Only a thin layer of decaying organic matter is found, unlike in temperate deciduous forests.