Question

notes - how geography shapes biomes
name: olym
date:

1. what are biomes?

• biomes are large regions defined by their

geography.

• biomes contain unique ecosystems and

(plants &
animals).

1. factor 1: insolation

• islands often have unique
• 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 species.
2. Insolation can lead to unique endemic species.
3. As altitude increases, temperature drops and mountains create a rain - shadow effect.
4. The Himalayas create a rain - shadow effect with the leeward side (Tibet/Mongolia) having less rainfall.
5. Coastal regions have more moderate climates and more rainfall, while inland regions have more extreme climates and less rainfall.
6. Tundra has cold, treeless landscapes. Taiga has coniferous forests. Temperate forests have a mix of deciduous and coniferous trees. Grasslands are dominated by grasses.

Answer:

1. climate and geography; plants & animals
2. endemic
3. drops; rain - shadow
4. less rainfall
5. more moderate; more extreme
6. cold, treeless landscapes; coniferous forests; mix of deciduous and coniferous trees; dominated by grasses