a measure of how many different species live in an ecosystem

the natural place where a plant or animal lives and grows

long-term changes in temperature, weather patterns and atmospheric conditions resulting from human activities like burning fossil fuels

Causes of biodiversity loss in the taiga biome

Geography

Characteristics of tropical rainforests

Plant and animal adaptations in tropical rainforests

Nutrient cycling and biodiversity in tropical rainforests

Deforestation in the tropical rainforest

Deforestation in Indonesia’s tropical rainforest

Value of tropical rainforests to people and the environment

Sustainable rainforest management

Threats associated with climate change in the rainforest

Biotic and abiotic characteristics of the taiga biome

Plant and animal adaptations in the taiga biome

Nutrient cycling and biodiversity in the taiga biome

Threats to the taiga from commercial development

Creating and protecting wilderness areas in the taiga biome

Conflicting views on protecting/exploiting resources in the taiga biome

Using GIS to visualise and analyse deforestation

This unit teaches pupils about tropical rainforest and taiga biomes. Pupils learn about its biotic and abiotic characteristics, the adaptations of plants and animals and the threats facing its biodiversity. The unit considers opposing views on protecting and exploiting resources.

Tropical rainforest and taiga biomes

What is a major threat to biodiversity in the taiga?

They have needle-like leaves to reduce water loss

How do evergreen trees in the taiga survive cold winters?

They destroy all plant and animal life permanently

They clear old vegetation, allowing new plants to grow

They make the soil infertile and unsuitable for regrowth

How can wildfires contribute to ecosystem renewal in the taiga?

It disrupts ecosystems by making the taiga warmer

How does climate change threaten biodiversity in the taiga?

The number of different species in an ecosystem

Long, cold winters and short, cool summers

Which of the following is a common climate characteristic of the taiga?

How do animals in the taiga adapt to the cold?

The cold climate and short growing season limit species

Why is biodiversity lower in the taiga than in tropical rainforests?

Causes of biodiversity loss in the taiga biome

Lesson outcome