The World's Biomes (Edexcel IGCSE Geography): Flashcards
Exam code: 4GE1
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Define biome.
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Define biome.
A biome is a group of ecosystems around the world with similar characteristics, such as climate, soils, plants, and animals.
What effect does latitude have on biome distribution?
Latitude affects biome distribution because as you move further from the equator, temperatures and sunshine hours decrease, influencing the types of biomes that can exist.
Areas of pressure experience low rainfall, while areas of pressure experience high rainfall.
Areas of high pressure experience low rainfall, while areas of low pressure experience high rainfall.
Where are tropical rainforests typically found?
Tropical rainforests are typically found in low latitudes within the Tropics, between 23.5° north and south of the equator, such as the Amazon, New Guinea, Southeast Asia, and the Zaire Basin.
Tropical rainforests have over mm of precipitation annually and temperatures between °C.
Tropical rainforests have over 2000 mm of precipitation annually and temperatures between 26-28°C.
What is the typical growing season length in the tundra and polar biomes?
The growing season in tundra and polar biomes is 6-10 weeks.
The main animal species found in tundra and polar biomes include , polar bears, and snowy owls.
The main animal species found in tundra and polar biomes include Arctic fox, polar bears, and snowy owls.
What are the main differences between deciduous and coniferous forests in terms of location and temperature?
Deciduous forests are found between 40°-60° of latitude with summer temperatures of 20-25°C and winters above 0°C, while coniferous forests are found further north (50°-60°) with much colder winters averaging -30°C and summers around 20°C.
Define nutrient-rich soil.
Nutrient-rich soil is fertile soil that contains a high amount of organic matter and nutrients, often found in deciduous forests.
Deciduous forests have seasons of equal length and a growing season of months.
Deciduous forests have four seasons of equal length and a growing season of 6-8 months.
True or False?
Hot and cold deserts both receive less than 250 mm of precipitation annually.
True.
Both hot and cold deserts receive less than 250 mm of precipitation annually.
The Sahara, Kalahari, and Namib are examples of deserts.
The Sahara, Kalahari, and Namib are examples of hot deserts.
What is the main difference between savanna and temperate grasslands in terms of seasonality?
Savanna grasslands have a wet and dry season, while temperate grasslands have four distinct seasons.
Animals commonly found in the savanna include zebras, elephants, and .
Animals commonly found in the savanna include zebras, elephants, and giraffes.
True or False?
Temperate grasslands have fertile soil and a growing season over the summer.
True.
Temperate grasslands are known for their fertile soil and the growing season occurs during the summer months.
Define permafrost.
Permafrost is permanently frozen ground found in the soils of tundra and polar regions.
Define ecosystem.
An ecosystem is a community of living organisms and their non-living environment.
What are the two main components of an ecosystem?
The two main components of an ecosystem are living (biotic) and non-living (abiotic) parts.
Inputs to an ecosystem include and .
Inputs to an ecosystem include solar radiation and precipitation.
Define provisioning services.
Provisioning services are goods from managed or semi-managed ecosystems, such as timber, fruit, medicine, water, fuel, and animal products.
True or False?
Waste decomposition is a supporting service provided by ecosystems.
False.
Waste decomposition is a regulating service, not a supporting service.
Name three cultural services provided by ecosystems.
Cultural services provided by ecosystems include leisure and recreation, health and spiritual benefits, and education.
Define goods.
Tangible products which can be taken from the ecosystem, such as timber, food and water.
What are the four groups of services provided by ecosystems?
Provisioning, regulating, cultural and supporting services.
Which type of ecosystem service supports all the other services?
Supporting services, such as soil formation, nutrient cycling and plant growth.
The stores within an ecosystem are ______ and ______.
The stores within an ecosystem are biomass and soil.
How is energy transferred through an ecosystem?
Through food chains and webs.
True or False?
Climate regulation is a regulating service.
True.
Climate regulation is one of the regulating services that control or maintain aspects of the ecosystem.
Name one output from an ecosystem.
Gases (or dead matter).
Define mixed farm.
A mixed farm is a type of farm that both raises livestock and grows crops.
Farming can be categorised by its outputs as (the cultivation of crops) and (raising livestock).
Farming can be categorised by its outputs as arable (the cultivation of crops) and pastoral (raising livestock).
True or False?
Intensive farming generally has more impact on ecosystems than extensive farming.
True.
Intensive farming typically involves high inputs of fertilisers, pesticides, and machinery, leading to greater environmental impact compared to extensive farming.
What is the main difference between commercial and subsistence farming?
The main difference is that commercial farming is done to make a profit, while subsistence farming is done to feed the farmer and their family.
Define extensive farming.
A farm with low inputs or yields per hectare.
Define intensive farming.
A farm with high inputs or yields per hectare.
What is the difference between nomadic and sedentary farming?
Nomadic farmers move seasonally with crops or livestock; sedentary farming farms the same area of land every year.
All farms are systems, with inputs, ______ and outputs.
All farms are systems, with inputs, processes and outputs.
Why do subsistence and nomadic farming have less impact on the ecosystem?
They tend to be smaller scale and make less use of machines, fertilisers and pesticides.
How does commercial arable and pastoral farming affect biodiversity?
It increases monocultures, which reduces diversity.
True or False?
A farm can only fit into one farming category.
False.
Farms often fit more than one category, for example a farm can be pastoral, commercial, extensive and sedentary at the same time.
In commercial farming, nutrient cycling is dependent on ______ added to the soil.
In commercial farming, nutrient cycling is dependent on fertilisers added to the soil.
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