Biomes Biomes

Biomes and climate Biome: large area with certain soils and climate to which communities are adapted. Biome: large area with certain soils and climate to which communities are adapted. Tolerance: the ability to survive conditions less than optimal. Tolerance: the ability to survive conditions less than optimal. Climate and microclimate help determine what lives in each biome. Climate and microclimate help determine what lives in each biome.

Tropical rainforest Trees make a canopy 80m high, understory below Trees make a canopy 80m high, understory below Poor soils, hot and wet year round Poor soils, hot and wet year round Equatorial areas Equatorial areas Amazonian rainforest

Savanna Cycles of rainfall, then drought Cycles of rainfall, then drought Compact soil, fires Compact soil, fires Grasslands, large herbivores and predators Grasslands, large herbivores and predators E Africa, S Brazil, Aus. E Africa, S Brazil, Aus.

Desert Less than 25 “ rain yr. Less than 25 “ rain yr. Extremes of temp. day/night and summer/winter Extremes of temp. day/night and summer/winter Soils rich in minerals, low in organics Soils rich in minerals, low in organics Joshua trees, CA Sahara Desert

Temperate woodland Hot, dry summers Hot, dry summers Cool, moist winters Cool, moist winters Fire adapted Fire adapted Grassland, brush, woodlands Grassland, brush, woodlands

Boreal forest: conifers, long winters, mild summers Boreal forest: conifers, long winters, mild summers

Tundra: long winters, permafrost. All plants are stunted

Mountain ranges Biomes change with elevation gain. Biomes change with elevation gain. Mtns. mimic latitude: going up is like going North. Mtns. mimic latitude: going up is like going North.

How many biomes are in this picture? Lauterbrunnen, Switzerland