| A | B |
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| What is a biome? | It's a group of ecosystems that have the same climate and dominant communities (particular assemblages of plants and animals). |
| What is an "adaptation"? | It's an inherited characteristic that increases an organism's ability to survive and reproduce. |
| Give examples of plants and animals that have adapted to their environments. | 1) saguaro cactus; 2) kangaroo rates; 3) anthuriums; 4) tree frogs (see pg. 98 for specifics on HOW they are adapted) |
| What is meant by "tolerance"? | It's an organism's capacity to grow or thrive when subjected to an unfavorable environmental factor. It's the ability to survive & reproduce under conditions that differ from their optimal conditions. |
| Define "microclimate". | It's the climate within a small area that differs significantly from the climate of the surrounding area. |
| What is the purpose of a climate diagram? | It tracks the temperature and precipitation in a given area during a given time period (usually months). |
| List as many of the world's ten major biomes as you can. | Tropical rain forest, tropical dry forest, tropical savanna, desert, temperate grassland, temperate woodland & shrubland, temperate forest, northwestern coniferous forest, boreal forest, and tundra. (3 tropical ones, desert, 3 temperate ones, 2 more forest ones, and tundra) |
| What types of factors define a biome? | a unique set of abiotic factors, particularly climate, and a characteristic assemblage of plants & animals |
| Give examples of the types of variations that may exist within a biome. | Variation may be due to changes in microclimate, differences in exposure or elevation above sea level, differences in local soil conditions or the presence of rock outcroppings. |
| What are the abiotic factors in a tropical rain forest? | hot and wet year-round; thin, nutrient-poor soils (more info. pg. 100) |
| What are some of abiotic factors in a tropical dry forest? | generally warm year-round; alternating wet and dry seasons; rich soils subject to erosion (more info. on pg. 100) |
| What are abiotic factors found in a tropical savanna? | warm temperatures; seasonal rainfall; compact soil; frequent fires set by lightning |
| What are abiotic factors in a desert? | low precipitation; variable temperatures; soils rich in minerals but poor in organic material (see pg. 101) |
| What are abiotic factors in a temperate grassland? | warm to hot summers; cold winters; moderate, seasonal precipitation; fertile soils; occasional fires (pg. 102) |
| What are abiotic factors in a temperate woodland and shrubland? | hot, dry summers; cool, moist winters; thin, nutrient-poor soils; periodic fires (102) |
| What are abiotic factors of a temperate forest? | cold to moderate winters, warm summers; year-round precipitation, fertile soils (see 103) |
| Give the abiotic factors of a northwestern coniferous forest. | mild temperatures; abundance precipitation during fall, winter, and spring; relatively cool, dry summer; rocky, acidic soils |
| What are abiotic factors in a boreal forest? | long, cold winters, short, mild summers; moderate precipitation; high humidity; acidic, nutrient-poor soils |
| What are some abiotic factors in the tundra? | strong winds; low precipitation; short and soggy summers; long, cold, and dark winters; poorly developed soils; permafrost |
| What types of plants exist in the icy polar regions bordering the tundra? | mosses and lichens |
| In the north polar region, what types of animals would you find? | polar bears, seals, insects, mites |
| What kinds of animals would you find in the south polar region? | penguins and marine mammals |
| In mountain ranges, what abiotic and biotic factors affect the types of plants and animals you can find? | As one goes up the mountain range (in elevation), the temperatures become colder and the precipitation increases, thus affecting what will survive at different elevations. |
| Look at the information on pages 100-103; study the graphs & information there. | Compare and contrast the average temperatures, precipitation, dominant plants, dominant wildlife, and geographic distribution of each biome. |
| What climatic conditions exist in a boreal forest? | long, cold winters and short mild summers |
| What is the climate in a tropical rain forest? | It's hot and wet year-round. |
| What climatic conditions exist in a tundra? | Cold, dark, long winters, permafrost. |
| Describe climatic conditions exist in a temperate woodland and shrubland? | hot, dry summers with nutrient-poor soil |
| Describe the climate in a tropical savanna. | warm temperatures with frequent fires |
| What are the climatic conditions in a temperate forest? | cold to moderate winters, warm summers, year-round precipitation |
