Question

notes - how geography shapes biomes
name: oly
date:

1. what are biomes?

• biomes are large regions defined by their geography.
• biomes contain unique ecosystems and (climate & animals).

1. factor 1: insolation

• islands often have unique (plants & animals).
• leads to species (endemic).

example: hawaiian honeycreeper, galápagos tortoise

1. factor 2: topography

• as altitude increases, temperature
• mountains create a effect.

1. rain shadow example: the himalayas

• windward side (india):
• leeward side (tibet/mongolia):

1. factor 3: proximity to coastlines

• coastal regions =
• inland regions =
• climates, more rainfall
• climates, less rainfall

1. terrestrial biomes overview

• tundra -
• taiga (boreal) -
• temperate forest -
• grassland -

Explanation:

1. Biomes are large regions defined by climate and geography, with unique ecosystems and plant - animal life.
2. Insolation leads to unique species (endemic) in some regions.
3. As altitude increases in topography, temperature changes and mountains create an effect.
4. The Himalayas create a rain - shadow effect with different conditions on windward and leeward sides.
5. Proximity to coastlines affects climate, with coastal regions having more rainfall and inland regions having less.
6. Tundra, Taiga, Temperate Forest, and Grassland are different terrestrial biomes with distinct characteristics.

Answer:

1. Biomes are large regions defined by their climate & geography. Biomes contain unique ecosystems and plants & animals.
2. Insolation often has unique endemic species.
3. As altitude increases, temperature drops. Mountains create a rain - shadow effect.
4. The Himalayas create a rain - shadow effect. Leeward side (Tibet/Mongolia) has different conditions.
5. Coastal regions have more rainfall climates. Inland regions have less rainfall climates.
6. Tundra - cold, treeless biome. Taiga (Boreal) - coniferous forest biome. Temperate Forest - moderate climate forest biome. Grassland - grass - dominated biome.