Environmental Science — Unit 4: Biomes Study Guide

Section 1: Biomes — What is a biome?

• A large ecological region defined by climate, typical vegetation, and adapted wildlife

• A single species’ habitat within a landscape

• A short-term weather event affecting a small area

• A human-made ecosystem such as a city park

Section 1: Biomes — What are the four characteristics that define a biome?

• Average climate, dominant vegetation, typical fauna, and soil or geography

• Latitude, longitude, day length, and altitude only

• Daily weather patterns, human population, and road density

• Seasonal storms, river length, and mountain height

Section 1: Biomes — Which description best matches the Tundra biome?

• Cold with permafrost, low-growing plants like mosses and lichens, short growing season

• Hot and wet year-round with multi-layered canopy and high species richness

• Seasonal drought with fire-adapted shrubs and mild, wet winters

• Warm year-round with high rainfall and broadleaf evergreen trees

Section 1: Biomes — Which description best matches the Taiga (Boreal Forest) biome?

• Dominated by coniferous trees, long cold winters, moderate precipitation

• Sparse shrubs and cacti with extremely low precipitation and hot days

• Grasses dominate with fertile soils and periodic fires, moderate rainfall

• Broadleaf deciduous trees with warm summers and cold winters

Section 1: Biomes — Which description best matches the Grasslands biome?

• Dominated by grasses with periodic fires and grazing, moderate rainfall, rich soils

• Evergreen broadleaf canopy with very high rainfall and poor, leached soils

• Cold, treeless landscape with permafrost and minimal precipitation

• Dense conifer forests with long snowy winters and short summers

Section 1: Biomes — Which description best matches the Deciduous Forest biome?

• Broadleaf trees that lose leaves seasonally, moderate precipitation, four distinct seasons

• Treeless plain with permafrost and extremely short growing season

• Sclerophyll shrubs with summer drought and frequent fires

• Succulent plants with extreme dryness and large daily temperature swings

Section 1: Biomes — Which description best matches the Savanna biome?

• Tropical grassland with scattered trees, warm temperatures, pronounced wet and dry seasons

• Dense evergreen canopy with year-round rainfall and constant humidity

• Treeless frozen landscape with permafrost and very low precipitation

• Temperate forest with seasonal leaf drop and consistent moisture

Section 1: Biomes — Which description best matches the Chaparral biome?

• Shrub-dominated, hot dry summers and mild wet winters, fire-adapted vegetation

• High rainfall year-round with multilayered canopy and epiphytes

• Cold, nutrient-poor soils with permafrost and low plant stature

• Grasses with rich mollisols and severe winter cold

Section 1: Biomes — Which description best matches the Rainforest biome?

• Very high precipitation, warm temperatures year-round, high stratification and biodiversity

• Low precipitation, extreme temperature swings, sparse vegetation

• Moderate rainfall with broadleaf trees that shed leaves in winter

• Cold climate dominated by cone-bearing trees and acidic soils

Section 1: Biomes — Which description best matches the Desert biome?

• Extremely low precipitation, drought-tolerant plants, large daily temperature ranges

• High precipitation year-round with dense broadleaf canopy

• Rich soils with grasses and frequent fires

• Frozen soils with permafrost and minimal plant diversity