Study Guide for Lesson 1 Land Biomes
Name ________________________________________________________
Answer the following questions in complete sentences.
1. What is a biome and how are they defined? A biome is a large area of land
with similar climate conditions and plant/animal species. They are usually
defined by their location in relation to the equator and the amount of
precipitation they receive each year.
2. Why do plants that grow in the tundra have shallow root systems? Plants
that grow in the tundra have shallow root systems due to the permafrost
that is found in the tundra. Permafrost is frozen soil that is just below the
surface and root systems can’t grow into it.
3. What adaptations would a plant need to survive on the floor of a tropical
rain forest? Plants on the floor of a tropical rain forest would need very
broad leaves. This is necessary due to the lack of sunlight that reaches the
floor of the tropical rain forest because of the canopy.
4. How are tropical plants such as bromeliads adapted to grow in their
biomes? They grow on the trunks of trees so that they are able to gather
enough sunlight so that photosynthesis can take place.
5. In which biome would you find permafrost and why? Permafrost is found in
the tundra biome due to it being cold all year long.
6. Why is fire so important to the grassland’s biome? Fire is important for the
grassland biomes because many of the grasses that grow there have seeds
that need high temperatures in order to germinate.
7. How is the tundra biome similar to the desert biome? Both of these biomes
receive very little precipitation during the year.
8. How would you describe the soil in a temperate grassland biome? The soil
in the temperate grassland biome is deep, dark, and nutrient rich.
9. How is a temperate rain forest different from a temperate deciduous
forest? A temperate rainforest has a long, cool rainy season followed by a
dry winter. A temperate deciduous forest has moderate precipitation
throughout the year and seasonal temperatures.
10. Where would you most likely find a tropical rain forest biome? You would
find the tropical rain forest biome around the equator.
11. In which biome would you most likely find coniferous trees? You would
most likely find coniferous trees in the taiga biome.
12. What are some adaptations that allow animals to survive in the tundra?
Some adaptations that animals have that allow them to survive in the
tundra are thick fur, they hibernate in the winter, or they could migrate to
warmer biomes when the temperatures get too cold.
13. How are biomes and ecosystems related? A biome covers a large area and
contains several ecosystems. An ecosystem consists of a community of
several species and their abiotic factors.
14. What characteristics would you use to identify a biome? Biomes are
characterized by climate conditions and the plant/animal communities that
thrive there.