Terrestrial Biomes Overview

biome large geographic areas that have similar climates and ecosystems (the types of organisms that live there)

climate includes the average yearly temperature and amount of rainfall an area receives

coniferous trees with cones and thin, needle-shaped leaves; evergreen trees such as pine, fir, and spruce

deciduous trees that have flat leaves that change color and fall off before winter

Tropical Rain Forest

Tropical Rainforest

canopy

tropical rain forest Located around or near the equator. Land covered by tall trees and lush plant growth. Warm/hot temperatures year round 68-93oF high amounts of rain 50-260” Ferns, orchids, and tall (canopy) trees Parrots, snakes, frogs, monkeys, lizards

Thousands of species of trees and other plants. Thousands of species of animals: monkeys, frogs, birds, insects, etc. A lot of rain and an astonishing variety of organisms. Produce 40% of Earth’s oxygen

Tropical Grasslands

Savanna

tropical grassland or savanna a grassland biome near the equator Warm temperatures (~70o F) Wet and dry seasons Dry 4” of rain, wet 15-25” of rain Grasses, shrubs, and a few trees Animals like zebras, giraffes, wildebeest, gazelles, lions, leopards, elephants Where the zoo animals live. (Lion King)

Desert

deserts Land covered by rocks or sand. Poor soil. Extreme temperature changes between day and night. 77-120oF Very little rain--receives less than 10 in. (25 cm) of rain each year Some have cold winters, some have cold nighttime temperatures, but they have high daytime temperatures

deserts A few plants that are able to store water such as the saguaro cactus and creosote bushes. Animals mainly come out at night Snakes, other reptiles, rodents Owls, hawks, roadrunners Very few large animals. Barren, windblown sand dunes (hot deserts).

Temperate Deciduous Forest

Temperate Deciduous Forest

Land covered by deciduous trees. Moderate temperatures (average 50oF) Abundant rainfall throughout the year. (average 30-60 in.) Four distinct seasons.

temperate deciduous forest Mostly deciduous trees such as beech, oak, maple, elm, hickory and some coniferous trees. Animals include earthworms, birds, white-tailed deer, foxes, squirrels, raccoons, etc. Deciduous trees (trees that lose their leaves) Georgia is located in this biome.

Temperate Grasslands

buffalo

temperate grassland Covered with grasses, but basically no trees. Found at the same latitude as temperate deciduous forests. Not enough rain to support many trees. Ave. temp 56oF; ave. rainfall 10-30 in. Grasses such as wheat. Scattered trees. Also called pampas, steppe or veldt.

temperate grassland Mostly grazing animals like antelope, prairie dogs, coyotes, bison/buffalo, skunks, badgers, and songbirds. Called the “Bread baskets of the world” because of the crops grown there. (cereals—wheat, barley, corn) Great Plains in the US/prairie

Taiga (boreal forest)

Taiga

taiga (ty-guh) Land covered by coniferous trees. Long, cold winters with little precipitation, but warmer and wetter summers. Ave. temp. -14-60oF; ave. rainfall 12 in. Plants include coniferous trees such as pine, fir, and spruce

taiga (ty-guh) Deer, elk, caribou, wolves, moose, black bears, shrews, other rodents, and migratory birds Some animals migrate to warmer climates in the winter; some hibernate A cold forest of evergreen trees

Tundra

Tundra

tundra Land covered with ice for most of the year made up of soil called permafrost—a layer of permanently frozen soil a cold biome that does not support trees Extremely cold and dry. Ave. temp -30-45oF; ave. rainfall 8 in. (a cold desert)

tundra Low grasses and lichens. No/few trees. Fewer species than other biomes. caribou, arctic foxes, snowshoe hares, owls, voles (rodents) Amphibians and reptiles are rare (they are cold blooded and cannot maintain a constant body temperature). A cold, treeless plain; Arctic regions The largest biome—covers about 20% of Earth’s land.

temperate deciduous forest Moderate rainfall Moderate temperatures Trees that lose their leaves

tropical rain forest High levels of rainfall High temperatures Many species of plants and animals

desert Low levels of rainfall High temperatures during the day Low temperatures at night Few large animals

tundra Low to moderate rain fall Lower temperatures year round Few trees

temperate grasslands/prairie Moderate rainfall Moderate temperatures Few trees

taiga Low to moderate rain fall Low temperatures for most of the year (long winters) Many coniferous trees

tropical grasslands/savanna High levels of rainfall at times (wet season) Low levels of rainfall at times (dry season) Moderate to high temperatures Few trees