Question

Terrestrial biomes are characterized by certain types of organisms, rainfall, temperature and soil type. Answer the following question using the choices provided. The answer choices may be used once, more than once, or not at all. Which biome is characterized by permafrost?

• A. Temperate Deciduous Forest
• B. Tundra
• C. Grasslands
• D. Desert
• E. Tropical Rainforest

Answer 1

Answer: (B)

Tundra

A. Temperate deciduous forest has moderate rainfall of about 75-150 cm/yr. Commonly found life forms are maple trees and animals like deer, racoon etc.

B. Tundra biome has very little rainfall of less than 25 cm annually. No tree is there as all the water is frozen. Only lichens are found in Tundra. The ground and the soil is frozen and is known as Permafrost.

C. Grasslands have medium amounts of rainfall about 25-75 cm/yr. Commonly found life forms are grasses and animals like horse and bison.

D. Deserts have low rainfall of less than 30 cm/yr. Commonly found life forms are cactus plants and plants with shallow root system due to the scarcity of water and animals like snake, lizards and some insects.

E. Tropical rainforests have the very high amount of rainfall of more than 250 cm/yr. Commonly found life forms are canopy trees and a vast variety of hidden animals.

Hence, permafrost is a characteristic of Tundra biome.

So, the correct answer is 'Tundra'.