Chapter 26 – Biomes
Chapter 26
Biomes
Multiple Choice Questions
1. Terrestrial biotic communities as they occur on a continental or global scale are referred to
as __________.
2. Biomes are characterized by _______________ adapted to the regional climate
including temperature, rainfall, elevation, seasonality, etc.
Chapter 26 – Biomes
3. When high winds tear away matted vegetation of tundra, the resulting barren patch is called
a ______________.
4. The most fragile of the biomes is the
Chapter 26 – Biomes
5. Permafrost, shallow root systems, subzero temperatures and long winters are characteristic
of the:
6. Vegetation of the tundra is dominated by _____________________.
7. Another name for the northern coniferous or boreal forest is the ___________.
Chapter 26 – Biomes
8. In the continental United States, high mountain peaks support ___________.
9. Despite receiving up to several feet of snow each winter, conifers in the northern boreal
forest are adapted to ___________________.
Chapter 26 – Biomes
10. Which of the following biomes is characterized by the predominance of broad-leaved
trees that are adapted to subfreezing temperatures as long as the cold is accompanied by
precipitation or snow cover?
11. Average precipitation of 50-165 cm/year is scattered throughout the year with warm
summers and cool to cold winter. The forest leaf canopy is not intact year round. Identify this
biome.
Chapter 26 – Biomes
12. A low-growing, understory vegetation dominates in the early spring and again in the fall
because of the available light resulting from leaf drop. This is a characteristic of the:
13. Hardwood trees such as oak, maple, walnut, and cherry are vegetational types of:
Chapter 26 – Biomes
14. Eastern North America, south of the northern boreal forest, is dominated by temperate
deciduous forests. Within this biome, gradations of annual low and high temperatures and
precipitation result in species assemblages such as __________________.
15. Naturally occurring grasslands are usually found toward the interiors of continental
masses. They tend to intergrade with ____________ in areas where annual precipitation drops
below 25 cm (10 inches) annually.
Chapter 26 – Biomes
16. The native prairies of North America are part of this biome.
17. Many of the grasslands of the world have been converted to ______________.
Chapter 26 – Biomes
18. Savannas are primarily grasslands with:
19. The giant saguaro cactus is found in which North American biome?
Chapter 26 – Biomes
20. Succulents and low-growing, small-leaved shrubs are inhabitants of this biome.
21. A characteristic vegetational type found in the desert biome is:
Chapter 26 – Biomes
22. Thick waxy cuticle layers and dense hairs on leaves are morphological adaptations to:
23. Which of the following biomes has a significant number of plants that have adapted to
their environment through the evolution of CAM photosynthesis?
Chapter 26 – Biomes
24. ______________ forests are found along the Pacific Coast and along the Rocky Mountain
and California mountain ranges.
25. The climate consists of dry, hot summers and cool, moist winters. The vegetation is
characterized by having shrubs with multiple stems arising at the base and extensive root
system. This description of climate and vegetation describe the __________biome.
Chapter 26 – Biomes
26. Coastal and mountain forests are characterized by plant associations determined primarily
by ___________________.
27. The biome with the greatest diversity of flora and fauna is the
Chapter 26 – Biomes
28. This biome is characterized by having 200-400 cm of precipitation per year and vegetation
dominated by tall, broad leaved evergreen trees.
29. Bromeliads and orchids are examples of:
Chapter 26 – Biomes
30. Tropical rain forests are characterized by high annual rainfall and _____________.
31. Swamps, bogs, marshes, and moors are all types of:
Chapter 26 – Biomes
True / False Questions
32. No flowering plants occur in the true tundra.
33. Desert animals tend to forage at night.
34. For a given biome, the vegetational species are exactly the same regardless of the
geographical location. For example the species found in a desert in the United States is
exactly the same as species found in the deserts of Africa.
Chapter 26 – Biomes
35. Broadleaf deciduous trees are characteristic of the taiga.
36. The greatest diversity of species, both flora and fauna, is found in the tropical rain forest.
37. The very large trees (the coastal redwoods) in the coastal forest biome can attribute their
growth and longevity, at least in part, to the presence of fog that lessens transpiration.
Chapter 26 – Biomes
38. Climax vegetation always consists of some type of trees.
39. Douglas firs repeatedly replace themselves after fires.
40. Due to permafrost in tundra areas soils are wet and marshy even though the region
received limited precipitation.