Home > Flashcards > Biology > BIO301M - Biomes

Details Title: BIO301M - Biomes Description: Characteristics of biomes (climate, soils, plant and animal life) Total Flash Cards: 8 Created: 04/01/2004 20:43:02	To study from this set of flash cards, or to create your own your own study flash cards, register HERE. If you are already a registered user, CLICK HERE.
Cards Term Tundra Definition - Long, harsh, cold winter; short “summer”; 4”-10” rain - Poor soil - No amphibians or reptiles; only warm-blooded animals - Slow to regenerate Term Taiga / Boreal Forest Definition - Largest biome; extensive lumber resource - Long severe winter; short growing season; 20” rain - Acidic soil; some deep permafrost Term Temperate Rainforest Definition - Washington/Oregon/N. California; lumber and pulpwood source - Mild winters; cool summers; 80”-150” rain - Poor nutrients, some organic material; nutrients leached by rain Term Deciduous Forest Definition - Hot summers; cold winters; 30”-50” rain - Topsoil rich in organic material - All types of animals - Most converted to farms; intensive use -> less fertile Term Temperate Grasslands Definition - Hot summers; cold winters; 10”-30” rain, sometimes drought - Deep and rich soil - Prairie grasses; occasional trees - Rarest biome; most converted to farms (90% in America) Term Tropical Grasslands/Savanna Definition - Temperature varies little; seasons regulated by precipitation; 34”-60” rain - Low in nutrients/minerals partly due to leaching - Susceptible to desertification from overgrazing Term Desert Definition - Both temperate (cold) and tropical (hot) areas - Temperature extremes; less than 10” rain - Poor in organic material; high mineralization Term Tropical Forests Definition - Dry forest (60”-80” rain); rain forest (80”-120” rain) - Warm, moist climate - Poor soil; most nutrients locked in living tissue - Highest productivity and biodiversity