Which biome has a relatively constant temperature (68°F–90°F), constant daylight length throughout the year, high humidity, and abundant rain (200–400 cm/year)?

Which biome has a relatively constant temperature (68°F–90°F), constant daylight length throughout the year, high humidity, and abundant rain (200–400 cm/year)?

• A. Tropical rain forests
• B. Deciduous forests
• C. Deserts
• D. Coniferous forests

Answer: (A)

The key idea is that tropical rain forests thrive in a climate that is warm year-round, with little change in day length and plenty of rain. Near the equator, temperatures stay relatively constant, keeping the range roughly 68°F to 90°F, so there isn’t a cold season. Day length also changes very little throughout the year in these regions, so daylight is essentially constant. High humidity comes from the constant evaporation and transpiration of a dense, evergreen canopy, and rainfall is plentiful—on the order of 200–400 cm annually—due to frequent convection and the rapid recycling of water in the lush environment. Together, these conditions produce the lush, interconnected, multi-layered forest typical of tropical rain forests. Other biomes don’t fit all of these traits at once. For example, deciduous forests experience noticeable seasonal temperature changes and varying day length; deserts have low rainfall and arid conditions; coniferous forests often have cooler temperatures and more seasonal variation.

The key idea is that tropical rain forests thrive in a climate that is warm year-round, with little change in day length and plenty of rain. Near the equator, temperatures stay relatively constant, keeping the range roughly 68°F to 90°F, so there isn’t a cold season. Day length also changes very little throughout the year in these regions, so daylight is essentially constant. High humidity comes from the constant evaporation and transpiration of a dense, evergreen canopy, and rainfall is plentiful—on the order of 200–400 cm annually—due to frequent convection and the rapid recycling of water in the lush environment. Together, these conditions produce the lush, interconnected, multi-layered forest typical of tropical rain forests.

Other biomes don’t fit all of these traits at once. For example, deciduous forests experience noticeable seasonal temperature changes and varying day length; deserts have low rainfall and arid conditions; coniferous forests often have cooler temperatures and more seasonal variation.