Biomes of the World All images are a part of the Creative Commons license of free use

Main Biomes of the World Defining Characteristics of a Biome 1.Precipitation/Rainfall - average in a year 2.Climate – The average temperature in a yearly period. Types of Biomes Desert; Grassland; Deciduous Forest, Coniferous Forest; Tropical Rainforest; Tundra/Alpine; Aquatic

Tropical Rain Forest Near the equator – Central Africa, Central and South America (North of Amazon), India, SE Asia, part of Australia More than 200 cm rainfall per year Warm & wet all year Roof of rainforest= Canopy: 35 m or taller Quick Decomposition of organisms Broadleaf plants, palms, tree ferns, climbing vines, bromeliads Bats, lizards, snakes, monkeys, baboons, toucans, sloths, parrots

Tropical Rain Forest Producers All images are a part of the Creative Commons license of free use

Tropical Rain Forest Consumer s All images are a part of the Creative Commons license of free use

Destruction of Tropical Rainforests Destroyed at an alarming rate- clear cut and burned for farming 200+ cm of rain each year leads to erosion of soil, leaving the land useless within just a few years. Extinction of thousands of species All images are a part of the Creative Commons license of free use

Tropical Rainforest Deforestation Map All images are a part of the Creative Commons license of free use

The United States has a Temperate Rainforest this means that the level of precipitation is over 200 cm per year but the temperature is cool, creating the temperate effect This rainforest is found in the states Oregon and Washington

Temperate Rainforest Producers All images are a part of the Creative Commons license of free use

Desert Less than 25 cm of rain per year Extremely dry Sand storms, sand dunes Cactus, fleshy plants, succulents, grasses, small-leaved shrubs, tumbleweeds Lizards, snakes, small rodents, camels, sidewinders, coyote, desert tortoise, desert hare, desert toad, beetles

Desert Producers All images are a part of the Creative Commons license of free use

Desert Consumers All images are a part of the Creative Commons license of free use

Deciduous Forest More than 75 cm of rain per year Moist with cold winters and warm summers Broadleaf deciduous trees (elms, maples, oaks) – trees lose leaves Raccoons, squirrels, small birds, deer

Deciduous Forest All images are a part of the Creative Commons license of free use

Deciduous Forest Consumers All images are a part of the Creative Commons license of free use

Coniferous Forest More than 50 cm of rainfall per year Cool and moist on mountains Mild winters & heavy rainfalls in coastal areas Conifers have waxy coatings Cedars, hemlocks, pines, redwood Bears, mountain lions, wolves, birds, elk

Coniferous Producers All images are a part of the Creative Commons license of free use

Coniferous Consumers All images are a part of the Creative Commons license of free use

Tundra and Alpine Regions ~20 cm of rain per year Extremely cold and dry Lichen, shrubs, grass-like plants Arctic foxes, arctic hare, polar bears, grizzly bears, lemmings, wolves, migratory birds, mountain lions, mountain goats, alpaca, llamas, caribou

Tundra and Alpine Terminology Permafrost – soil that is permanently frozen 3-4 inches down; keeps plant life from growing deep roots Altitude – moving up a mountainside – the air thins out and causes a change in climate North/South Poles – these areas experience extended periods of sunlight or twilight depending on the season

Tundra and Alpine Producers All images are a part of the Creative Commons license of free use

Tundra and Alpine Consumers All images are a part of the Creative Commons license of free use

Grasslands Other names – Savannah; Plains; Prairie; Pampas; Steppes; Veldt Between 25 – 75 cm of rain each year Mild temperatures; dry and rainy seasons Acacia, grasses, herbaceous plants Antelopes, buffalo, wolves, coyotes, hyenas, lions, zebra, rhinoceros, hippopotamus

Grassland Producers All images are a part of the Creative Commons license of free use

Grassland Consumers All images are a part of the Creative Commons license of free use

Aquatic Fresh Water and Salt Water Ponds, lakes, rivers, coastal areas, oceans Seaweed, sea grass Squid, dolphins, sharks, whales, seals, walrus, penguins, octopus, crocodiles, alligators, turtles, oysters, clams, shrimp, pelicans, fish, seagulls, manatees

Aquatic Producers All images are a part of the Creative Commons license of free use

Aquatic Consumers All images are a part of the Creative Commons license of free use