Biomes

A biome is one of Earth’s large ecosystems, with its own kind of climate, soil, plants, and animals.

Six major biomes Desert Tundra Temperate Deciduous Forest Taiga Grassland Savanna Tropical Rainforest (And MOUNTAINS)

Desert Hot and dry that averages less than 35 cm of rain a year

Desert Hot in day, cold at night 20-30 degrees latitude Baja Desert Sahara Desert Some at cold locations High biodiversity- only rainforest has more species Plants: cactus, heat and dry tolerant plants

Animals of the Desert Rodents, snakes, lizards, tortoises, insects, and some birds. The Sahara Desert in Africa is home to camels,, small foxes, snakes, lizards, and gerbils

Tundra Cold dry conditions with less than 25 cm of precipitation; permanently frozen ground

Tundra Permafrost Northern parts of US, Asia and Europe mosses and lichen cover the land, Grasses In Arctic Coldest biome Winter temp -34C, summer 12C

Animals of the Tundra Musk oxen, migrating caribou, arctic foxes, weasels, snowshoe hares, owls, hawks, various rodents, occasional polar bear.

Temperate deciduous Forest Forest biome with moderate amt of precipitation and temperature range with a lot of broad leaf trees.

Temperate deciduous Forest GA has a lot of temperate forest Temp- -30 to 30C Rainfall- 75-100 cm Birch, beech, oak, maple- lose leaves in fall Mid-range latitudes 4 seasons

Animals of the Temperate Deciduous Forest Wolves, deer, bears, and a wide variety of small mammals, birds, amphibians, reptiles, and insects

Taiga A cool forest biome of conifers in the upper Northern Hemisphere Also called boreal forest Also called coniferous

Taiga Largest climate region 50-70 degrees latitude Northern areas- Canada and N Eurasia Ave temp below freeze For half year 40-100cm precip yrly Short growing season Cold winters and mild Summers Dense forests

Plants/Animals of the Taiga Rodents, snowshoe hares, lynx,, moose, caribou, bears, wolves, birds in summer Pine, fir, hemlock, spruce

Tropical Rain Forest A warm, humid biome near the equator, with much rainfall and the greatest biodiversity

Tropical Rain Forest 200-400 cm rain yrly At or near equator Dense canopy 75% land species live in rain forests 20-25C temp year round Foggy 100 species of plants Per 2.5 acres-1 hectare

Plants/Animals of the Tropical Rain Forest insects, reptiles, and amphibians; monkeys, toucan, other small and large mammals, including in some places elephants

Grasslands A biome where grasses, not trees, are the main plant life. Savannas, prairies, and temperate grasslands are examples.

Savanna one kind of grassland in Africa 2 seasons- rainy and dry In parts of tropics without much rain

Temperate Grasslands Middle latitudes Interiors of continents Far from large bodies of water Most precip in late spring 51-89 cm yrly 30C to -40C

Temperate grassland plants/animals Prairie dogs, foxes, small mammals, snakes, insects, various birds

Savanna(grassland) animals and plants : Elephants, lions, zebras, giraffes- long legs and fast, burrowers to avoid fire grasses

Mountains Land that projects above the Area around it Different climates, plants, & animals due to elevation Higher it is- more like closer To the poles Wet and dry sides Temp depends on elevation