Starter quiz
- What is a biome?
- A large area characterised by its distinct climate, vegetation and animal life ✓
- A specific type of animal species found in a particular region
- A term used to describe the weather patterns of a region
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- Which of these are examples of biomes?
- tropical rainforest ✓
- small-scale ecosystem
- desert ✓
- tundra ✓
- igneous
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- The imaginary lines around the Earth measuring distance from the Equator are known as line of ...
- 'latitude' ✓
- Put these biomes in the most likely order; starting at the Equator and moving north or south.
- 1⇔tropical rainforest
- 2⇔savanna (tropical grasslands)
- 3⇔desert
- 4⇔temperate forest
- 5⇔taiga
- 6⇔tundra
- Which of the following is a characteristic of a hot desert?
- abundant water bodies
- high levels of biodiversity
- sparse vegetation ✓
- soils rich in nutrients
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- What is the primary reason for the high temperatures in hot deserts?
- Hot deserts are located near the Equator where the Sun's rays are concentrated ✓
- Hot deserts are located in places that are closest to the Sun
- Hot deserts have a high number of active volcanoes
- Hot deserts are located at high altitudes
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Exit quiz
- What is a biotic component of an ecosystem?
- Geological processes such as volcanic activity or earthquakes
- The non-living elements such as soil, the climate, water, nutrients and sunlight
- The living things such as plants, bacteria, fungi and animals ✓
- Chemical elements like oxygen, nitrogen, and carbon dioxide
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- How much rainfall does a hot desert receive each year?
- Less than 250 mm ✓
- 251-500 mm
- 501-750 mm
- 751-1000 mm
- 1000 mm+
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- Hot deserts are located between which lines of latitude?
- At 0° (the Equator)
- Between 0° and 15° North and South of the Equator
- Between 15° and 30° North and South of the Equator ✓
- On the Tropic of Cancer (23.5° North) and Tropic of Capricorn (23.5° South) only
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- Hot deserts are hot because of their location and proximity to the Equator. This latitude effect means the Sun's energy here is more ______, making it warmer.
- 'concentrated' ✓
- Hot deserts are dry because they sit under an area of high pressure. What is high pressure?
- Where warm air rises and causes clouds to form, resulting in precipitation
- Where atmospheric pressure is lower than normal, leading to stormy weather
- Where humidity is high, causing increased rainfall and thunderstorms
- Where air is dense and sinks, leading to clear skies and dry weather ✓
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Worksheet
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Lesson Details
Key learning points
- Hot desert ecosystems are located at roughly 30°N and 30°S of the Equator.
- Hot desert ecosystems have distinctive physical characteristics.
- The climate influences other physical characteristics of hot deserts.
Common misconception
It never rains in hot deserts.
While some deserts are exceptionally dry, a region can experience up to 250 mm of rain each year and still be categorised as a desert.
Keywords
Hot deserts - arid areas experiencing low rainfall, generally below 250 mm/year, and high summer temperatures
Biome - a global land area that is characterised by its plants, animals and climate
Climate - the average weather conditions of a place over a long period of time, typically 30 years or more
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