Biomes of the World Main categories Terrestrial Biomes Aquatic biomes Based on Precipitation and Temperature (and Soil) Climate dictates the plants and animals that live there Aquatic biomes Based on water depth and salinity

5.2 Land Biomes—rain forests Tropical rain forests High temperature; high precipitation Found in tropics Greatest diversity of life Temperate rain forests Mild temperature; high precipitation Generally found along coasts at mid-latitudes Rainforests have poor soil. Nutrients are stored in plants

5.3 Deciduous and coniferous forests Deciduous forests Found in southern temperate zones Warm in summer, cold in winter; moderate precipitation Have rich soils Contain all types of animals Coniferous forests Known as the Taiga Found in northern temperate zones Cool summers, very cold winters; moderate precipitation Reptiles and amphibians are fewer. May be found at high altitudes Southern U.S. coniferous forest due to poorer soil

5.4 Grasslands Savannas Temperate grasslands Chaparrel Tropical Hot with a cooler rainy season Trees interspersed with grass Temperate grasslands Hot summers, cold winters; less precipitation than forests “Uber” rich soil – just look out the window in the spring! Chaparrel Hot summers, cold winters; less precipitation than other grasslands Scrubby plants and tough grasses

5.5 Tundra & Desert Tundra Deserts Arctic—contains permafrost Alpine—above the tree line Cool, short summer, very cold winter; little precipitation Very susceptible to damage Few, if any, reptiles and amphibians Deserts Usually around 30o Latitude Hot summers, warm winters; very little precipitation Large variety of reptiles (retired lawyers, insurance salesmen)

5.6 Marine biomes Open oceans Photic zone—within 200 m of the surface Light penetrates Holds most of life in oceans (as far as we can tell) Disphotic zone—down to 1000 m from surface Light is dim Aphotic zone—down to 4000 m from surface No light—scary Some life—even scarier Abyss—beyond ‘deep’ Don’t ever go there

Coral reefs Coastal wetlands Tropical Great diversity of life—rivals rain forests Coastal wetlands Estuaries—shallow, mixed fresh and salt water Salt marshes—very shallow Important ‘nursaries’ Swamps—shallow and diverse

5.7 Fresh water biomes Lakes and ponds Streams and rivers Shallow to deep Slow movement of water Can be cold or warm Streams and rivers Shallow; fast moving water. Diverse life