SAT Subject Test in Biology › Biomes, Habitats, and Niches
Which of the following biomes is dominated by grasses and herbaceous plants, with some trees and shrubs, and characterized by seasonal rains, a pronounced dry season, and often large migratory mammals?
Savanna
Temperate deciduous forest
Tundra
Desert
Tropical rainforest
The characteristics listed describe a savanna. Deserts can also have pronounced periods of rain and dryness but are not dominated by grasses and not populated by large migratory animals. Tropical rainforests and deciduous forests are dominated by trees and tundras tend to be colder and may not receive much rainfall, but often have moist soil due to low evaporation rates.
Which biome is characterized by hot, dry weather with mild, rainy winters, some vegetation, and occasional fires?
Chaparral
Desert
Savanna
Temperate grassland
Temperate forest
The chaparral biome is known for being rather dry and for having these characteristics. They are different than deserts, as deserts do not have a rainy season. While savannas are often warm, they have a longer 6-8 month rainy season.
Which of the following is not an abiotic component of an ecosystem?
Molds
Temperature
Humidity
Minerals
Wind speed
Abiotic factors are non-living and molds are living.
An ecosystem includes which of the following?
Communities and populations
Biomes, communities, and populations
Communities only
Populations only
Biomes and populations
Ecosystems are composed of communities and communities are composed of populations. A biome is a larger unit than an ecosystem, as it includes multiple ecosystems.
1. Largest biome in the world
2. Short, wet summers and long, cold winters
3. Flora consists of mostly coniferous trees
The given statements most closely describe which biome?
Taiga
Tundra
Deciduous forest
Alpine
Chaparral
The taiga biome is the largest biome in the world and is characterized by short, rainy summers coupled with long, freezing winters. Due to its extremely cold temperatures, the taiga's flora or plant life consists of mostly coniferous trees that can survive on the scarce nutrients available in the cold climate of the biome. In contrast, the tundra is frozen year-round and permafrost prevents any trees from growing. Deciduous forests, as the name suggests, sports mainly deciduous trees as its plant life. The alpine biome consists mostly of the areas right below the snow lines of mountains and is generally dry year-round. The chaparral is a relatively small biome that is characterized as being mostly hot and dry year-round, with mild winters.