Name ______________________________________________________ Period ________ Date _________
Environmental Science Exam 5 Study Guide: Biomes & Succession
1. What are biomes?
2. Biomes are determined by ________________________________, which is the weather conditions in an area
over a long time, and includes 4 factors:
a.
b.
c.
d.
3. Biomes change with:
a. __________________________________________: distance north or south of the equator
b. __________________________________________: height above sea level
4. What are abiotic factors? Give 3 examples
5. What are biotic factors? Give 2 examples
6. Forest Biomes: FILL IN THE BLANK CELLS
Name
Location
Climate
Taiga
Canada,
Russia
Long winters,
cold
Near equator
Temperate
Deciduous
Forest
Pacific NW
United States
Plants
Buttressroot trees,
orchids;
Soil is
nutrientpoor
Moderate
temps,
abundant
rainfall
Moderate to
cold temps;
abundant rain
Plant
adaptations
Needleshape of
leaves
prevents
water loss
Grow on
each other;
tall to reach
sunlight
Animals
Animal
adaptations
Threats &
Other Info.
Venoms,
some
nocturnal
Agriculture,
logging
Regulates
world
climate by
sucking up
CO2
Lynx, foxes,
hares
Maple,
oak, birch
Hibernation
Bears, cougars,
flying squirrels
Hibernation,
thick coats
Development
7. Grassland Biomes: FILL IN THE BLANK CELLS
Name
Location
Climate
Plants
Temperate
grassland
(Prairie)
Central
U.S.;
South
America
Central
Africa,
South
America,
Australia
Grasses
Rains in
Spring &
late-fall;
Drought
between
Tundra
Plant
adaptations
Animals
Resistant to
drought &
fire; dense
root systems
Grasses
Grasses,
mosses, lichens;
has permafrost
Animal
adaptations
Can digest
grass;
burrowing
Threats &
Other Info.
Farming &
overgrazing
Large;
horns; run
fast
Grazing of
cows
Dwarf
shrubs
8. Desert Biomes: FILL IN THE BLANK CELLS
Name
Location
Tropical desert
Northern
Africa
Cold desert
North &
South
America,
Asia,
China
Climate
Plants
Plant
adaptations
None to
few
Daytime temps high
in summer, low in
winter
Winters are cold,
summers are warm
9. What are the two types of aquatic life zones?
Animals
Camels
Animal
adaptations
Can go long time
w/out water
Cacti,
shrubs
None to
few
n/a
Bactrian
camel, lizards,
10. What are 3 abiotic factors that affect life in aquatic ecosystems?
11. Why are wetlands important?
12. ____________________________________ are where fresh water & salt water mix. They are threatened by
________________________________________________________________.
13. Coral reefs are built by what?
14. Coral reefs are threatened by high water temperatures that cause coral _________________________________.
15. What organisms perform photosynthesis in the open ocean? B. What are these organisms eaten by?
16. __________________________________________ _____________________________________________ is the
gradual process of change of species in a community over time. The two types are:
17. Primary succession starts on bare ground. Then ________________________________ species, such as lichens &
mosses begin to make soil. Then grasses & wildflowers can come in and grow. Then shrubs & trees can come in and
grow. Then it ends in a ______________________________________________ community, with many types of
hardwood trees and animals.
18. Secondary successions begins after a disturbance, such as ___________________________________________. Soil
is still present and then other plants can come in.