Terrestrial Biomes - AP Environmental Science
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What soil property is most typical of temperate grasslands and supports agriculture?
What soil property is most typical of temperate grasslands and supports agriculture?
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Deep, nutrient-rich topsoil (high organic matter). Grass decomposition builds thick, fertile soil layers.
Deep, nutrient-rich topsoil (high organic matter). Grass decomposition builds thick, fertile soil layers.
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Which biome is a cold forest dominated by conifers and has long winters and short growing seasons?
Which biome is a cold forest dominated by conifers and has long winters and short growing seasons?
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Boreal forest (taiga). Conifers' needle leaves resist cold and snow damage.
Boreal forest (taiga). Conifers' needle leaves resist cold and snow damage.
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Which biome has permafrost, very low temperatures, and a short growing season with low shrubs and mosses?
Which biome has permafrost, very low temperatures, and a short growing season with low shrubs and mosses?
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Tundra. Extreme cold limits plant height and diversity.
Tundra. Extreme cold limits plant height and diversity.
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Identify the term for permanently frozen subsoil that limits root growth and drainage in tundra.
Identify the term for permanently frozen subsoil that limits root growth and drainage in tundra.
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Permafrost. Frozen soil prevents deep roots and water drainage.
Permafrost. Frozen soil prevents deep roots and water drainage.
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What soil characteristic is most typical of tropical rainforests?
What soil characteristic is most typical of tropical rainforests?
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Nutrient-poor, highly leached soils. Heavy rainfall washes nutrients from soil layers.
Nutrient-poor, highly leached soils. Heavy rainfall washes nutrients from soil layers.
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Which terrestrial biome is characterized by warm temperatures and distinct wet and dry seasons?
Which terrestrial biome is characterized by warm temperatures and distinct wet and dry seasons?
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Tropical seasonal forest (tropical dry forest). Monsoon patterns create alternating wet and dry periods.
Tropical seasonal forest (tropical dry forest). Monsoon patterns create alternating wet and dry periods.
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Which biome has the highest biodiversity and consistently warm temperatures year-round?
Which biome has the highest biodiversity and consistently warm temperatures year-round?
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Tropical rainforest. Year-round warmth and moisture support maximum species diversity.
Tropical rainforest. Year-round warmth and moisture support maximum species diversity.
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Which biome is dominated by grasses with scattered trees and frequent fires in warm climates?
Which biome is dominated by grasses with scattered trees and frequent fires in warm climates?
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Savanna (tropical grassland). Fire and herbivores prevent tree establishment in these grasslands.
Savanna (tropical grassland). Fire and herbivores prevent tree establishment in these grasslands.
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What precipitation pattern best describes a tropical rainforest?
What precipitation pattern best describes a tropical rainforest?
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High precipitation in all months. Constant moisture supports lush vegetation year-round.
High precipitation in all months. Constant moisture supports lush vegetation year-round.
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What is the primary ecological role of periodic fires in savannas and temperate grasslands?
What is the primary ecological role of periodic fires in savannas and temperate grasslands?
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Maintain grass dominance by suppressing woody plants. Fire prevents succession to forest ecosystems.
Maintain grass dominance by suppressing woody plants. Fire prevents succession to forest ecosystems.
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Which biome has very low precipitation and organisms adapted to conserve water?
Which biome has very low precipitation and organisms adapted to conserve water?
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Desert. Extreme water scarcity drives specialized adaptations.
Desert. Extreme water scarcity drives specialized adaptations.
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What adaptation is most associated with desert plants such as cacti?
What adaptation is most associated with desert plants such as cacti?
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Water storage and reduced leaf surface area. Minimizes water loss through transpiration in arid conditions.
Water storage and reduced leaf surface area. Minimizes water loss through transpiration in arid conditions.
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Which biome has hot, dry summers and mild, wet winters, often with fire-adapted shrubs?
Which biome has hot, dry summers and mild, wet winters, often with fire-adapted shrubs?
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Chaparral (Mediterranean shrubland). Mediterranean climate creates unique fire-prone ecosystems.
Chaparral (Mediterranean shrubland). Mediterranean climate creates unique fire-prone ecosystems.
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Which biome is best matched to this pattern: very cold winters, conifer dominance, and low decomposition rates?
Which biome is best matched to this pattern: very cold winters, conifer dominance, and low decomposition rates?
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Boreal forest (taiga). Cold slows decomposition, creating acidic soils.
Boreal forest (taiga). Cold slows decomposition, creating acidic soils.
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Which biome has four seasons, moderate precipitation, and broadleaf deciduous trees?
Which biome has four seasons, moderate precipitation, and broadleaf deciduous trees?
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Temperate deciduous forest. Seasonal temperature changes trigger leaf phenology.
Temperate deciduous forest. Seasonal temperature changes trigger leaf phenology.
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What is the dominant plant strategy in temperate deciduous forests during winter?
What is the dominant plant strategy in temperate deciduous forests during winter?
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Leaf drop to reduce water loss and frost damage. Deciduous strategy conserves energy and prevents freezing damage.
Leaf drop to reduce water loss and frost damage. Deciduous strategy conserves energy and prevents freezing damage.
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Which biome is dominated by grasses, has fertile soils, and experiences periodic drought and fires?
Which biome is dominated by grasses, has fertile soils, and experiences periodic drought and fires?
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Temperate grassland (prairie/steppe). Insufficient moisture limits tree growth despite fertile soils.
Temperate grassland (prairie/steppe). Insufficient moisture limits tree growth despite fertile soils.
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What is a climograph used to show for a terrestrial biome?
What is a climograph used to show for a terrestrial biome?
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Average monthly temperature and precipitation patterns. These graphs help identify biomes by their climate patterns.
Average monthly temperature and precipitation patterns. These graphs help identify biomes by their climate patterns.
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What two abiotic factors most strongly determine the distribution of terrestrial biomes?
What two abiotic factors most strongly determine the distribution of terrestrial biomes?
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Temperature and precipitation. These climate factors control water availability and energy for plant growth.
Temperature and precipitation. These climate factors control water availability and energy for plant growth.
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What is the definition of a terrestrial biome in AP Environmental Science?
What is the definition of a terrestrial biome in AP Environmental Science?
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A large land region defined by climate and dominant vegetation. Climate patterns create predictable plant communities across regions.
A large land region defined by climate and dominant vegetation. Climate patterns create predictable plant communities across regions.
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What factor most directly determines the distribution of major terrestrial biomes worldwide?
What factor most directly determines the distribution of major terrestrial biomes worldwide?
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Climate, especially temperature and precipitation patterns. Temperature and moisture patterns create conditions that support specific plant communities.
Climate, especially temperature and precipitation patterns. Temperature and moisture patterns create conditions that support specific plant communities.
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What is the key difference between weather and climate in environmental science?
What is the key difference between weather and climate in environmental science?
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Weather is short-term; climate is long-term average conditions. Weather occurs over days/weeks; climate represents 30+ year patterns.
Weather is short-term; climate is long-term average conditions. Weather occurs over days/weeks; climate represents 30+ year patterns.
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What is the typical precipitation range that defines a desert biome?
What is the typical precipitation range that defines a desert biome?
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Less than about $25$ cm of precipitation per year. Extremely low moisture limits plant growth and diversity.
Less than about $25$ cm of precipitation per year. Extremely low moisture limits plant growth and diversity.
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Which terrestrial biome has the highest biodiversity and consistently warm temperatures?
Which terrestrial biome has the highest biodiversity and consistently warm temperatures?
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Tropical rainforest. Year-round warmth and moisture support maximum species diversity.
Tropical rainforest. Year-round warmth and moisture support maximum species diversity.
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Which biome is characterized by permafrost, low precipitation, and a short growing season?
Which biome is characterized by permafrost, low precipitation, and a short growing season?
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Tundra. Coldest biome where frozen soil prevents tree growth.
Tundra. Coldest biome where frozen soil prevents tree growth.
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What is permafrost in the context of the tundra biome?
What is permafrost in the context of the tundra biome?
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Permanently frozen subsoil that limits drainage and rooting. Frozen layer prevents water infiltration and deep root growth.
Permanently frozen subsoil that limits drainage and rooting. Frozen layer prevents water infiltration and deep root growth.
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Which biome is dominated by coniferous evergreen trees and has long, cold winters?
Which biome is dominated by coniferous evergreen trees and has long, cold winters?
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Boreal forest (taiga). Conifers adapted to cold, short growing seasons dominate.
Boreal forest (taiga). Conifers adapted to cold, short growing seasons dominate.
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Which biome is a grassland with scattered trees, maintained by seasonal drought and fire?
Which biome is a grassland with scattered trees, maintained by seasonal drought and fire?
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Savanna (tropical grassland). Wet-dry seasons prevent forest but support grasses and scattered trees.
Savanna (tropical grassland). Wet-dry seasons prevent forest but support grasses and scattered trees.
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Which biome is dominated by grasses, has fertile soils, and experiences periodic drought and fire?
Which biome is dominated by grasses, has fertile soils, and experiences periodic drought and fire?
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Temperate grassland (prairie/steppe). Moderate rainfall supports grasses but not forests; rich soils from decomposition.
Temperate grassland (prairie/steppe). Moderate rainfall supports grasses but not forests; rich soils from decomposition.
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Which biome has mild, wet winters and hot, dry summers, with frequent natural fires?
Which biome has mild, wet winters and hot, dry summers, with frequent natural fires?
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Chaparral (Mediterranean shrubland). Mediterranean climate creates fire-adapted shrubland communities.
Chaparral (Mediterranean shrubland). Mediterranean climate creates fire-adapted shrubland communities.
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