SCIENCE 1206
UNIT 4: SUSTAINABILITY OF ECOSYSTEMS
Worksheet #11: BIOMES
There are two major types of ecosystems:
•Aquatic
•Terrestrial
Each can be subdivided further based upon the predominant vegetation, such as grasses or
trees, etc.
Biome is a large geographical regionthat has a particular type of climax community.
In the case of terrestrial (land) biomes, the climax community is defined by the dominant plant
species.
The key to the concept is to realize that the different lines of latitude receive different amounts of
solar radiation, which affects temperature and precipitation.
As one moves over lines of latitude, changes in climate occur that impact the types of organisms
to be found in any given biome
Terrestrial Biomes
Terrestrial biome are land ecosystems. They are defined by factors such as plant structures,
plant spacing, leaf types and climate. Climatic factors such as latitude and humidity affect the
distribution of terrestrial biome.
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1.
TUNDRA (marshy plain)
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South of the ice caps of the Arctic extending across North America
Low average temperature.
Average yearly precipitation of 10-12 cm. Due to low evaporation, the region is wet with
ponds and bogs during the short, warm summer (poor drainage
Short growing season of about 60 days
The tundra plants include Mosses ,lichens (reindeer moss),Grasses, Sedges, Shrubs.
The Tundra Animals include Musk oxen, Caribou, Wolves, Arctic hares
Arctic fox, Lemmings Snowy owl
Permafrost (permanently frozen soil) is present. This makes the growth of large plants
impossible.
The Tundra soil depth ranges from a few centimeters to a few meters.
2.
BOREAL CONIFEROUS FOREST (TAIGA)
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South of the tundra extending across North America.
Newfoundland is considered part of the boreal forest biome.
Cold winters with the ground covered in snow and warm summers causing the ground to
thaw completely.
Average precipitation of 50-100 cm.
Growing season is about 120 days.
Boreal plants include Conifers (pine, fir, spruce) •Deciduous conifers (tamarack),
Some deciduous trees (birch, maple),Blueberry & cranberry shrubs, Ferns, Mosses
Boreal Forest Animals include Moose, Bears, Marten (Pine martin), Lynx,
Snowshoe hares, Foxes, Beavers
A deep litter layer and slow decomposition.
Acidic and mineral deficient, due to large amounts of water moving through the soil.
3.
TEMPERATE DECIDUOUS FOREST
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South of the boreal forest.
Cold winters with hot summers.
Average precipitation of 75 to 150 cm.
Growing season is about 180 days
Deciduous trees (maple, birch, chestnut, hickory, beech, oak)
Well developed and diversified shrubs, ferns, moss, etc
Temperate Deciduous Forest Animals include White-tailed deer, Black bear
Gray fox, Squirrels, Chipmunks, Skunk, Racoons, Mice
Brown forest soils.
Thin surface litter layer due to rapid decomposition, earthworms being active.
Upper soil is mildly acidic due to the litter layer. Acidity decreases with depth.
More fertile than Taiga soils because of high levels of nitrates and other soil nutrients
held by clays
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4.
GRASSLANDS
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Interior of North America.
Usually referred to in Canada as “the Prairies”.
Very cold winters with hot summers.
Average precipitation of 25 to 75 cm.
Growing season is about 180 days.
Grassland Plants include Grasses, Wild flowers, Trees are limited to low valleys and low
mountains.
Grassland Animals include Snakes, Badgers, prairie dogs, ground squirrel (burrowers),
•Bison were once numerous.Antelope, elk, coyote, wolves.
Soil is deep and rich (fertile) causing this biome to become the most productive farmland
on Earth.
chernozem soils, or black earths, organic matter accumulates in the upper portion of the
soil, making it dark.
Neutral or slightly alkaline soil.
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PART 1: MULTIPLE CHOICE
1.
What is a biome?
(A)
(B)
(C)
(D)
2.
What do biomes with similar climates also share?
(A)
(B)
(C)
(D)
3.
Boreal
Grassland
Temperate deciduous forest
Tundra
This biome occurs in the interiors of continents, hot in summer and cool in winter,
moderate to low precipitation, mostly grasses and small shrubs, and can have large
mammals or a variety of smaller ones
(A)
(B)
(C)
(D)
7.
climate
consumers
soils
variations
This has mild summers and cold winters, moderate precipitation, rich topsoil over clay,
hardwood trees, and many mammals and other animals. This biome is the
(A)
(B)
(C)
(D)
6.
ecosystems
communities
populationss
species
When biomes have similar plants, what else might they share?
(A)
(B)
(C)
(D)
5.
similar plants and animals
similar land masses
similar people
similar forests
What are biomes made up of?
(A)
(B)
(C)
(D)
4.
A living plant or animal.
A kind of large ecosystem such as grasslan or tundra.
The study of biology
The land surrounding a lake or ocean
Boreal
Grassland
Temperate deciduous forest
Tundra
This occurs in the higher latitudes such as northern America or Russia. It has very cold
winters and cool summers with moderate to low precipitation, mostly evergreen trees and
a variety of animals in the summer. Which biome is this
(A)
(B)
(C)
(D)
Boreal
Grassland
Temperate deciduous forest
Tundra
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8.
This biome is in the far northern latitudes where there are harsh winters and cool
summers. It has poor soil with permafrost beneath the surface. Plants include grasses and
wildflowers, and animals might include caribou foxes and rodents, among others.
(A)
(B)
(C)
(D)
9.
Taiga is a term applied to the
(A)
(B)
(C)
(D)
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poor soil fertility
too windy
permafrost
too hot
Which Canadian biome has the greatest biodiversity?
(A)
(B)
(C)
(D)
15.
An area of soil frozen only during the winter
An area where polar bears live
Thick layer of ice just below the soil surface
Special treat from Dairy Queen
Which factor prevents trees from growing in the tundra?
(A)
(B)
(C)
(D)
14.
Grassland
Taiga
temperate deciduous forest
Tundra
What is permafrost?
(A)
(B)
(C)
(D)
13.
Boreal
Grassland
temperate deciduous forest
Tundra
This biome is known for it different types of evergreen trees?
(A)
(B)
(C)
(D)
12.
Boreal
Grassland
Temperate deciduous forest
Tundra
Which biome is the coldest?
(A)
(B)
(C)
(D)
11.
Boreal
Grassland
temperate deciduous forest
Tundra
tundra
grassland
boreal forest
temperate deciduous forest
Which represents Canada's most fragile biome?
(A)
(B)
(C)
(D)
tundra
grassland
boreal forest
temperate deciduous forest
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16.
Which Canadian biome has undergone the greatest degree of change from its original
form?
(A)
(B)
(C)
(D)
17.
Which animal is most representative of the tundra biome?
(A)
(B)
(C)
(D)
18.
climate
latitude
longitude
sunlight
Which of the following is NOT an abiotic factor in a biome?
(A)
(B)
(C)
(D)
20.
cattle
deer
lemmings
frogs
Which factor has the least effect on the distribution of biomes in Canada?
(A)
(B)
(C)
(D)
19.
tundra
grassland
boreal forest
temperate deciduous forest
kinds of birds
amount of rainfall
sunlight
soil
What role does a woodpecker have in a temperate deciduous forest?
(A)
(B)
(C)
(D)
carnivore
decomposer
omnivore
producer
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1.
Using figure 1 on page 88, colour and label the different Terrestrial biomes found in
Canada
2.
Name two biomes found in newfoundland and Labrador
3.
List two (2) abiotic and two (2) biotic feature for each of the biomes in Canada:
Canadian Biome
Abiotic Feature
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Biotic Feature