Chapter 5, Problem 5.1CTDQ

To determine

The physical and biological factors that are most important in shaping the biome in which an individual live and how these factors have changed in the past 100 or 1,000 years.

Answer to Problem 5.1CTDQ

There are various factors which play an important role in shaping the biome. These factors have changed in the past 100 or 1,000 years.

Explanation of Solution

Biome is a geographical area that is very large in size. Different biomes have different biological productivity and ecosystem resilience. Biome of a place depends upon its temperature and precipitation conditions.

The physical and biological factors that are most important in shaping the biome are climate, moisture availability, soil type, geomorphology and other natural features. Over the past 100 or 1,000 years, the global distribution of biomes and the factors involved in shaping of a biome has changed. The biomes found in a particular location depend upon the human occupation and use of natural resources. In temperate zones, highly productive biological communities are found and humans tend to prefer mild climates. Due to excessive growth in human population, there is tremendous increase in the use of natural resources. It has caused extensive degradation of environment.

Coastal beaches and barren islands have become highly vulnerable to erosion. Over the past two centuries, most of the original wetlands have been drained, polluted and degraded. The area gets highly disturbed where human beings live or farm. Examples of such areas are temperate forests and grasslands.