What’s in a Biome?

What is a Biome? A biome is a broad geographic area that has similar climate, vegetation, and types of animals. Biomes are named for their dominant vegetation. Vegetation depends on climate– especially temperature, precipitation, and latitude- Biomes in different parts of the world have animals with similar adaptations.

Types of Biomes There are six major types of biomes. Can you name them?

Similar biomes occur in similar latitudes across the continents.

Desert Where in the world? Often around 30 degrees north and south latitude What’s the climate like? Very dry, with daily temperature extremes Warm desert, fairly high temp Extremely low precipitation, less than 10 inches/year

Flora and fauna Plant life specialized to be drought-resistant Typical plants are cacti and other succulents Animals include reptiles, burrowers and nocturnal animals. Iguanas, lizards, and snakes; scorpions and small rodents Camels are the only large mammal adapted to hot deserts

Grasslands Where in the world? Temperate and tropical areas where there isn’t enough rainfall for trees What is the climate like? Warm or cold winters, depending on location. Dry summers. A tropical grassland (savanna)-- warm all-year round. Most rainfall in the growing season.

Flora and fauna Dominated by grasses, taller grasses in wetter areas. Good organic soils, the “breadbaskets” of the world. Prairie, steppe, pampas, savanna, veldt-- all grasslands. Grazing animals, and the predators who eat them. Fire ecology to maintain fertility of soil.

Tropical Rain Forest Where in the world? Around the Equator, in tropical areas What’s the climate like? Warm and wet all year. Temperature about 80 degrees all year Rainfall at least 100 inches per year

Flora and Fauna Most diverse biome with the most species of plants and animals Tall dense canopy of evergreen trees. Plants such as ferns, vines, orchids, palms, and tropical flowers abound. Animals such as frogs, monkeys, snakes, birds, and sloths In danger of being destroyed by deforestation

Temperate Deciduous Forest Where in the world? In temperate latitudes, between 23.5 degrees and 50 degrees north and south What’s the climate like? Well-defined seasons with a distinct winter but a long warm summer. At least 25” rainfall/year. Below freezing in winter, warm summers Even rainfall distribution throughout the year

Flora and Fauna Dense tall broad- leaf deciduous trees like maples, oaks, hickory Deer, squirrels, rabbits, skunks, birds, bobcats, fox, and black bear

Taiga Where in the world? Between 50 and 60 degrees north latitude What is the climate like? Long cold winters with deep snow; short moist summers Below freezing 5-6 months, Relatively warm summers Rainy summers, dry winters

Flora and Fauna Largest terrestrial biome Dense evergreen needle-leaved forest Conifers such as pine, fir, and spruce Moose, bear, wolf, fox, rabbits, chipmunks, and deer Migratory birds

Tundra Where in the world? North of the taiga and at high altitudes What is the climate like? Very cold, very dry. Permanently frozen soil called permafrost. Bitter cold winters, cool summers Very little precipitation, mostly as snow

Flora and Fauna Treeless, with short perennials like lichens, mosses, grasses, and dwarf woody shrubs. Abundant wildflowers in brief summer. Snowy owls, musk ox, reindeer, polar bears, caribou, arctic foxes, arctic hares, wolves, and lemmings. Animals usually hibernate or migrate during winter. Many birds and insects.

Torn Paper Biomes Criteria Construction: Torn Paper and Glue Only Evidence of Average Temperature Evidence of Average Precipitation Plant Life (min: two examples) Animal Life (min: four examples) Complete and Submitted by (Due Date)

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