Discuss two climatic factors that are most important in the distribution and characteristics of biomes. Choose one biome and explain how these two factors impact the specific plants and animals found there

What will be an ideal response?


Temperature and precipitation are the two factors that determine the distribution and characteristics of biomes. These factors influence the characteristics of the plants and animals that live there, because over multiple generations, climatic factors provide a selective force for certain traits. As average precipitation and temperature increase, the growing season is often longer, and with more water, photosynthetic rates increase and vegetation becomes taller, more lush, and varied. In the desert biome, with very little rainfall, the lack of water affects the types of organisms that can live there. Plants such as succulents and cacti that do thrive in deserts have evolved specialized adaptations to conserve water, such as reduced leaf surfaces and the ability to store water for times when water is unavailable. Animal species have also evolved water-conserving behaviors, such as nocturnal activity to avoid the heat of the day. Some deserts are hotter than others, and water conservation is of particular concern in hot deserts. Plants in cold deserts may need to be freeze-tolerant because nighttime temperatures often drop below freezing.

Environmental & Atmospheric Sciences

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