World Biomes

Tundra Location: Found north of the Arctic Circle http://www.runet.edu/~swoodwar/CLASSES/GEOG235/biomes/tundra/tundra.html

Tundra Abiotic Factors precipitation:<63 cm/yr average temp: -70°C to 12°C permafrost layer 25 cm – 91 cm deep short growing season

Tundra Plant Adaptations Reindeer lichen Tundra Plant Adaptations plants grow close to the ground shallow roots to absorb the limited water resources. trees grow less than 1 m high! cottongrass

Tundra Animal Adaptations snowy owl Tundra Animal Adaptations many visitors, migration few predators small ears insulation, thick coat Arctic fox Grizzly Bear

Taiga (Coniferous Forest) Location: Found only in Northern Hemisphere

Taiga Abiotic factors average temp: -54°C to 21°C precipitation:100 in/yr - mostly snow soil poor in nutrients and very acidic very short growing season winters are long and cold

Taiga Plant adaptations Balsam Fir Fireweed coniferous (needle-bearing) trees long roots needles long, thin and waxy very few plants on forest floor

Animal Adaptations of the Taiga Moose Animal Adaptations of the Taiga adapt for cold winters burrow, hibernate, warm coat, insulation, etc. http://www.inchinapinch.com/hab_pgs/terres/coniferous/animals.htm Great Grey Owl

Temperate Deciduous Forests http://www.runet.edu/~swoodwar/CLASSES/GEOG235/biomes/tbdf/tbdf.html Temperate Deciduous Forests Location: found in temperate zone Much of the human population lives in this biome

Temperate Deciduous Forests http://www.cotf.edu/ete/modules/msese/earthsysflr/taiga.html Temperate Deciduous Forests Abiotic Factors abundance of deciduous (leaf bearing) trees 4 seasons Deep soil layers, rich in nutrients Avg temp: 10°C Precipitation: 76–125 cm/yr

Temperate Deciduous forest Plant adaptations Lady Fern Temperate Deciduous forest Plant adaptations White Birch forests grow in layers trees adapt to varied climate by becoming dormant in winter plants lean toward sun more ground dwelling plants than in rainforest Geulder Rose

Temperate Deciduous Forest Animal Adaptations Bald Eagle Temperate Deciduous Forest Animal Adaptations lose winter coat hibernate in winter eat from different layers of the forest Least Weasel Fat Dormouse http://www.blueplanetbiomes.org/deciduous_animal_page.htm

Grasslands Location: middle latitudes and interiors of continents 2 types: tall - humid and wet climate short- dry and more temperature variation

Grasslands - Abiotic Factors average temp: -40°C to 21°C precipitation 25-76 cm/yr erratic precipitation causes droughts and fires wide temperature range

Grassland - Plant Adaptations Blue Oak mostly low-lying shrubs and small trees. many plants have leathery leaves to resist water loss and/or oils in leaves to help them resist fire. Fairy Duster

Grassland - Animal Adaptations Camouflage—to avoid predation Many animals will change their diet as the season changes. Aardwolf Puma

Savannas (Tropical Grasslands) Contain the greatest number of grazing animals on Earth. Location: Found in the tropics…near equator Amount of precipitation supports tall grasses but only occasional trees. The word savanna stems from an Amerind term for plains http://www.runet.edu/~swoodwar/CLASSES/GEOG235/biomes/savanna/savanna.html

Tropical Savanna Abiotic Factors Rainy and dry season Average temp: 20°C - 30°C 100-150 cm/yr precipitation Fire plays a large role in this ecosystem http://www.cotf.edu/ete/modules/msese/earthsysflr/savannah.html

Tropical Savanna Plant Adaptations Whistling Thorn Tropical Savanna Plant Adaptations Umbrella Thorn Acacia grow in tufts drought resistant plants have thorns and sharp leaves to protect against predation. Kangaroos Paws Baobab http://www.blueplanetbiomes.org/savanna_plant_page.htm

Tropical Savanna Animal Adaptations Chacma Baboon Tropical Savanna Animal Adaptations Zebras Limited food leads to vertical feeding Adapt for short rainy season: migrate as necessary reproduce during rainy season

Earth's most complex land biome Tropical Rainforest Location: found near equator No distinct seasonal changes. Earth's most complex land biome http://www.cotf.edu/ete/modules/msese/earthsysflr/

Tropical Rainforest Abiotic factors high biodiversity and biomass average temp: 34°C - 20°C about 125-660 cm/yr of rainfall both hot and moist http://www.cotf.edu/ete/modules/msese/earthsysfl

Tropical Rainforest Plant adaptations Bougainvillea Plants grow in layers (canopy receives most light) Shallow, wide roots since soil is so thin and poor in nutrients Bangul Bamboo

Tropical Rainforest Animal Adaptations Silvery Gibbon Camouflage is common Wagler’s pit viper Many symbiotic relationships Live in different levels of canopy Slender Loris http://www.blueplanetbiomes.org/rnfrst_animal_page.htm

Desert Ecosystems Location: various locations Depending on type of desert, you will find them in various locations.

Desert Abiotic factors average temp: -2°C to 49°C <25 cm/yr of rain little to no topsoil due to high winds. minerals not deep in soil While there are many types of deserts, they all share one characteristic: They are the driest places on Earth!

Joshua Tree http://www.blueplanetbiomes.org/desert_plant_page.htm Barrel Cactus Desert Plant Adaptations: Spines Succulents Thick, waxy cuticle Shallow, broad roots Joshua Tree http://www.blueplanetbiomes.org/desert_plant_page.htm Ocotollio

Desert Animal Adaptations: Bob Cat Desert Animal Adaptations: get water from food thick outer coat burrow during day large ears smaller animals = less surface area Armadillo Lizard Javelina