World Biomes

Biomes Regions of the world with similar physical environments Named for most conspicuous types of vegetation Climate factors Rainfall (precipitation) Temperature Altitude Latitude Boundaries are indistinct

Six Major Biomes Tropical Rain Forests Grassland Desert Temperate Tropical/Subtropical Grassland Temperate Grassland Desert Temperate Temperate Deciduous Forest Temperate Rain Forest Taiga Tundra

Tropical Rain Forests Equatorial lowlands Constant temperature and abundant rainfall all year long Many arboreal animals Few terrestrial animals

Tropical and Subtropical Grassland Warm temperatures throughout the year Well defined dry season and rainy season Large herbivores High grasses Scattered trees and shrubs

Temperate Grassland Hot, humid summer and cold winter Precipitation as winter snow and heavy spring and summer rain Short and tall grasses; trees found only near streams Wide variety of animal life Large herbivores Smaller animals build burrows

Deserts Identified by lack of precipitation Deserts can be cold or hot Antarctica is a cold desert Nocturnal animal life in hot deserts Plants are well adapted to short water supply

Temperate Deciduous Forests Deciduous forests of mid‑latitude regions Cold winters and hot summers Abundant rain and snowfall Wide variety of animal life

Temperate Rain Forests Cold winters and hot summers Abundant rain and snowfall Conifers (redwood, firs, pines, spruce) retain their needles. Needles conserve water in dry summer and shed snow in cold winter Wide variety of animal life

Taiga (Boreal Forest) Coniferous (Evergreen) Forests Found at high elevations and/or far northern latitudes Snow accounts for most of the precipitation Animals are adapted to long, cold winters

Tundra Areas with continuously frozen ground (permafrost) Near polar regions Small plants limited by frozen soil and prolonged dark season Animals adapted to extreme cold; birds often migrate