Biomes
Short Questions
1. What is a biome?
Answer: A biome is a large area where plants and animals coexist under similar climatic conditions.
2. How does latitude influence vegetation in biomes?
Answer: Vegetation changes from dense, broad-leaved forests near the equator to sparse mosses near the poles.
3. Which biome has the highest biodiversity?
Answer: The tropical rainforest biome has the highest biodiversity.
4. What is the main tree in the tropical deciduous biome?
Answer: Teak is the main tree in the tropical deciduous biome.
5. What is the characteristic grass of the savanna biome?
Answer: Elephant grass is the characteristic grass of the savanna biome.
6. Why do desert biome plants have thorny vegetation?
Answer: Thorny vegetation reduces evaporation and protects against herbivores.
7. What is the Mediterranean biome also known as?
Answer: The Mediterranean biome is also known as Chaparral.
8. Which biome is dominated by coniferous trees?
Answer: The Taiga biome is dominated by coniferous trees.
9. What is permafrost in the tundra biome?
Answer: Permafrost is a permanently frozen layer of soil in the tundra biome.
10. Which biome supports extensive agriculture like wheat and maize?
Answer: The temperate grassland biome supports extensive agriculture.
11. What is the primary occupation in the Taiga biome?
Answer: Lumbering is the primary occupation in the Taiga biome.
12. Which biome is not found in the Southern Hemisphere?
Answer: The Taiga biome is not found in the Southern Hemisphere.
13, What is the main animal in the Himalayan mountain biome?
Answer: The yak is the main animal in the Himalayan mountain biome.
14. What is the top layer of the marine biome called?
Answer: The euphotic layer is the top layer of the marine biome.
15. What is desertification in the context of the tropical desert biome?
Answer: Desertification is the spread of desert areas due to sand transport and human activities.
Long Questions
1. How does climate determine the boundaries of different biomes?
Answer: Climate, including rainfall, temperature, humidity, and insolation, shapes the boundaries of biomes by influencing the types of plants and animals that can survive. For example, tropical rainforests thrive in high rainfall and warm temperatures, while tundras exist in cold, low-rainfall conditions. These climatic factors dictate the adaptations and distribution of species within each biome.
2. Why is the tropical rainforest biome considered the most biodiverse?
Answer: The tropical rainforest biome, located near the equator, has high rainfall, consistent warmth, and abundant sunlight, creating ideal conditions for diverse plant and animal life. It hosts over half of Earth’s species, with dense, multi-layered forests supporting unique niches for species like monkeys, parrots, and insects. However, deforestation and industrialization threaten this biodiversity.
3. Explain the adaptations of vegetation in the tropical desert biome.
Answer: Vegetation in the tropical desert biome, such as cacti and acacia, has thick, water-storing leaves or stems to survive low rainfall. Thorny structures reduce evaporation and protect against herbivores, while trunk-like leaves perform photosynthesis efficiently. These adaptations enable plants to thrive in extreme heat and arid conditions.
4. How does human life differ between the tropical rainforest and tropical deciduous biomes?
Answer: In tropical rainforests, human life is primitive, with indigenous groups like Pygmies relying on hunting and gathering due to dense forests and humid climates. In tropical deciduous biomes, human life is easier, supporting forestry, animal husbandry, and settlements, but encroachment threatens forests. The deciduous biome’s less dense vegetation allows for more diverse economic activities.
5. Why is lumbering a major activity in the Taiga biome?
Answer: The Taiga biome’s evergreen coniferous trees, like spruce and pine, provide softwood ideal for lumbering, used in paper, furniture, and construction. The uniform tree species and sparse human population facilitate large-scale deforestation. Sawmills and related industries thrive due to the abundance of softwood resources.
6. hat are the challenges faced by human life in the tundra biome?
Answer: The tundra biome’s extreme cold, permafrost, and short growing season make human settlements sparse and life challenging. Indigenous groups like Eskimos rely on hunting and fishing, but modern tools increase resource exploitation. Global warming and improved transportation are altering traditional lifestyles and threatening the biome’s ecosystem.
7. How does the Mediterranean biome support the cinema industry?
Answer: The Mediterranean biome’s pleasant climate, natural beauty, and diverse flora, like olive and citrus trees, provide ideal settings for outdoor film shooting. Its tourism appeal and fruit/flower-based industries support infrastructure for filmmaking. Urbanization, however, reduces biodiversity, impacting the biome’s scenic value.
8. What are the key differences between tropical and temperate grassland biomes?
Answer: Tropical grasslands (savannas) have tall, coarse elephant grass and support large herbivores like zebras, facing threats from fires and overgrazing. Temperate grasslands have softer, shorter grasses, ideal for extensive agriculture like wheat, and support smaller herbivores like deer. Temperate grasslands are more developed for commercial farming, while savannas are used for hunting and grazing.
9. Describe the structure of marine biomes and their significance.
Answer: Marine biomes, covering 70% of Earth’s surface, are divided into euphotic (sunlit, supporting corals), disphotic (limited light, hosting squid), and aphotic (dark, with bioluminescent species) layers. They support diverse aquatic life adapted to varying light and pressure conditions. These biomes are crucial for global ecosystems, providing oxygen and food resources.
10. Why is deforestation a major threat to the temperate deciduous biome?
Answer: The temperate deciduous biome is reduced by agriculture and urban settlements, encroaching on forests for land and wood. This habitat loss forces animals like bears into human areas, causing conflicts, as seen in Yukon grizzly attacks. Biodiversity declines as forests are cleared, disrupting ecological balance and trophic levels.
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