Warm Up Write what you think a biome is Write an example and describe that example

Biomes A Biome is a large area characterized by its climate and the plants and animals that live in the area.

Forests There are 3 different types of forest biomes These biomes have mild temperatures and plenty of rain The type of forest biome depends on the amount of rainfall in addition to the temperatures within the area.

Temperate Deciduous Forests Located in the temperate latitudes and has definite seasons Has deciduous trees (trees that lose their leaves in the Fall to save water during the winter) Has brilliant colors of red, orange, and yellow before the leaves fall Plants – oak, hickory, beech, and maple trees Animals – bears, deer, snakes, salamanders, and birds Mean Temps: 82˚F Summer & 42˚F Winter Mean Rainfall: 75-125 cm per year Locations: North America, South America, Asia, & Europe

Coniferous Forests (Taiga/Boreal) Further from the equator Experience long winters with lots of snowfall & short summers Conifers-trees that produce seeds in cones & have thick, waxy needles which keep water from evaporating **Known as Evergreen Trees** Fir, spruce, hemlock trees Waxy needles: ~helps keep conifer leaves from drying out ~protects from being damanged by the cold ~ allows the trees to keep leaves year round Plants – little light reaches the ground so few plants Animals – deer, moose, lynx, weasels, beavers, caribou, wolves, bears, porcupines Some animals hibernate during the winter months Mean Temps: 57˚F Summer & 14˚F Winter Mean Rainfall: 35-75 cm per year Locations: North America, Asia, & Europe

Tropical Rain Forests Have more biodiversity- (greater variety) in organisms than any other biome Warm, humid regions near the equator **Very important for medicines Plants – evergreen trees, vines, ferns (greatest amount of plant growth) Animals – insects, monkeys, jaguars, bats, tree frogs Many live in the canopy-treetops Mean Temps: 86˚F Mean Rainfall: 400+ cm per year Locations: South America, Central America, Africa, Central Asia, Australia

Grasslands Found on all continents except Antarctica Variety of names: steppes, prairies, chaparral, and pampas Often flat or gently rolling hills

Grasslands-Savanna Savanna- a grassland that often has scattered trees, found in tropical/subtropical areas where seasonal rains, fires, and drought happen) Regions located in the middle latitudes that get more rain than a desert, but not enough to support a forest Plants – grasses, very low trees, and flowering plants Animals – zebras, elephants, giraffes, gazelles (herbivores-eat plants) and lions, leopards (carnivore- eat animals/meat) Mean Temps: 86˚F Mean Rainfall: 30-75 cm per year Locations: all continents except Antarctica Savannas are located in India, South America, & Africa

Desert Desert- Hot & Dry regions near the equator with little or no plant life, extreme temps, long periods without rain; found in hot climates Plants & animals survive with little water and grow far apart (not to compete for water) Plants – low bushes, cactus (store water), yucca trees (other plants have a waxy coating to prevent water loss) Animals – owls, hawks, scorpions, kangaroos, gila monsters, rattlesnakes, rats Mean Temps: 100˚F and 38 ˚F Mean Rainfall: less than 25 cm per year Locations: USA, Africa, Asia, Australia, India, & South America

Tundra Tundra- a treeless plain found in the Arctic, in the Antarctica, or on the tops of mountains that is characterized by very low winter temps, & short, cool summers Largest & most northern biome Covers 1/5 of the Earth’s land! Dry, cold, and is characterized by a layer of soil that is permanently frozen called permafrost. Plants – Trees do not grow, small mosses, grasses, & lichen (not really plants) Animals – reindeer, arctic foxes, caribou, & snowshoe hares Mean Temps: 54˚F Summer & -14˚F Winter Mean Rainfall: less than 25 cm per year Locations: portions of Antarctica & Arctic Circle

Alpine Tundra: Has permafrost Found at the top of tall mountains Above the Tree Line – trees cannot grow on the mountain Gets plenty of sunlight and precipitation

Fresh Water Made up of ponds, lakes, streams, & rivers Only 3% of the Earth’s surface Algae (Kingdom Protista) near the surface are the major producers Plants and animals of rivers are adapted to survive currents Plants – algae, water lilies, duckweed Animals – fish, insects, frogs, turtles, beaver, snails, salamanders, crayfish, mosquitoes, dragonflies

Salt Water/Marine Made up of oceans and seas They cover ¾ of the Earth’s surface Any water environment that has 3.5% salt is salt water Contain 97% of the water supply Largest animals on Earth live in this biome Millions of microscopic creatures live here, too Phytoplankton is the most abundant producer in the ocean Plants – algae, bacteria, & seaweed Animals – sharks, jellyfish, corals, dolphins, sea lions, octopi, whales, & fish Ocean is the only biome insects do not live in!

Wetland/Estuary/Marsh Estuary an area where fresh water from rivers mixes with salt water from the ocean. (amount of salt water is always changing) Wetlands- areas where the water level is near the soil’s surface. Important breeding grounds for amphibians and aquatic animals like shrimp, redfish, and mullet Marsh- a treeless wetland ecosystem where plants such as grasses grow. Found in shallow areas along the shores of lakes, ponds, rivers, and streams Plants – grasses, reeds, bulrushes, wild rice Animals – muskrats, oysters, turtles, frogs, and birds