Reflecting and consolidating

Chapter summary
  • Biomes are groupings of plant and animal communities that have adapted to inhabit particular parts of the Earth’s surface.
  • Before the domestication of plants and animals, the main factor that biomes had to adapt to was the world’s changing climate; now, biomes also have to adapt to human impacts.
  • The major biomes of the world include the rainforest, savanna and desert biomes. Each biome has its own characteristics, according to its climate.
  • The plant and animal communities of the world respond to variations in climate. These responses give the world this distinctive pattern of biomes.
  • The rainforest biome is dominated by its plant life.
  • The savanna biome is dominated by the response of its animal life to seasonal changes in rainfall.
  • The alpine biome doesn’t fit the pattern based on climate. It stretches north and south from the Equator in North and South America and east to west across Eurasia.
  • Because of its isolation from other continents, Australia has developed a unique set of biomes.
  • As the Australian continent has drifted northwards over millions of years, the flora and fauna that make up the biomes have adapted to changing environments.
  • The pattern of biomes in Australia largely reflects the rainfall distribution map.
  • Ocean currents along the western side of the continent affect biomes inland.
  • The mountain ranges along the east coast affect the pattern of biomes along Australia’s east coast.
  • The largest biome in Australia is the desert biome: 18% of Australia’s mainland is desert.
  • There is only a small area of alpine biome in Australia because Australia does not have very high mountains.
  • Mangrove communities are found in many sheltered waters and are very dense communities, often with a closed canopy.
Interactive activity

Key terms

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Short-answer questions
  1. Compare the differences between a biome and an ecosystem.
  2. Discuss some of the explanations for rainforest trees developing buttress roots.
  3. Describe the causes of the major seasonal changes on the savanna and how they affect animal life there.
  4. Identify the factors that cause the major changes in mountain biomes.
  5. Name and describe the mountains in Australia that have the main area of alpine vegetation.
Extended-response question

Desertification was identified by the United Nations as a cause for international concern in 2006.

‘Desertification’ is the term used to describe the expansion of desert areas into surrounding savanna regions. It has been linked to both changes in climate and changes in land use. Discuss the situation in relation to desert regions in Australia. Present your discussion in a short essay.