Match the statements with the terrestrial biome each one describes.
Discipline: Biology (and other Life Sciences)
Type of Paper: Question-Answer
Academic Level: Undergrad. (yrs 3-4)
Paper Format: APA
Question
Ans:
| Deciduous forest | Rainforest | Desert | Tundra |
| high precipitation, high seasonal temperature variation Temperate latitude Dominated by trees that drop leaves annually
| high precipitation, high temperature equatorial latitude Dominated by layered trees
| low precipitation, high temperature 20-40 degree latitude Dominated by water-storing plants | low precipitation, low temperature Polar latitude Dominated by ground vegetation due to permafrost layer
|
Deciduous forest biome is mainly situated on temperate latitude and consist trees that lose their leaves every year. This biome is characterized by high precipitation (65 to 130 cm annually) and high seasonal temperature variation (there are four seasons; winter, spring, summer and fall).
Rain forest biome is mainly situated on equatorial region of tropical latitude. This biome is characterized by high precipitation (200 to 400 cm annually) and high temperature (Average 24-29ᵒC). Canopy in tropical rain forest is multilayered and continuous (stratification) allowing low light penetration.
Desert biome occurs at 20-40 degree latitude North and South of the equator. This biome is characterized by very low precipitation (less than 30 cm annually) and high temperature (more than 50ᵒC in hot desert). The adaptations required for desert plant are reduced leaf surface area, loss of leaf during long dry season and ability to store large amount of water.
Tundra is a polar desert situated near the North Pole in the Arctic Circle with very low temperature (below -34ᵒC) and low precipitation (20 to 60 cm annually). This biome is characterized by a short growing season, permanently frozen deeper soil (called permafrost) with grounded vegetation (plant life consists of grasses, sedges and lichens; tree totally absent).