Discuss the two factors that are most important in the distribution of biomes. Choose one biome and explain how these two factors impact the specific plants and animals found in this biome
What will be an ideal response?
Temperature and precipitation are the two factors that determine the distribution of biomes. As average precipitation and temperature increase, the growing season is often longer, and with more water, photosynthetic rates increase, and vegetation becomes more lush and varied. For example, in the desert, with very little rainfall, the growing season is short, sometimes lasting less than a month. The plants that do thrive have evolved specialized adaptations to conserve water (reduced leaf surfaces, thorns/spines rather than leaves, and waxy leaf surfaces). Animal species have also evolved water-conserving behaviors (nocturnal activity rather than diurnal feeding behavior and hibernation during the time of year with the highest temperatures). Many desert rodents also use water so efficiently that they are able to survive on the water generated from their food alone.
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