The Biomes of Earth 34.3
What’s a Biome? Biome - Major types of ecosystems on land (not in the oceans) Similar biomes can exist in many places, but the animals that live there are different
Biome Distribution
Tropical Forest
Tropical Forest
Tropical Forest Temperature usually stays between 93ºF and 68ºF Rainfall is more than 100 inches per year Trees are very tall Produce 40% of the earth’s oxygen
Savanna
Savanna
Savanna Type of grassland with shrubs and few trees Little rain falls Found on the edges of rainforests Warm temperatures year round but has a very dry season and a very wet season Lions, zebras, elephants, giraffes
Break!! In the margin of your handout answer the following questions How much rain does a tropical rainforest usually get in a year? True or false: Savanna are usually cold and have a cold wet season. Share your answers with another person at your table
Desert
Desert
Desert Animals must be able to get underground in order to survive Some deserts are cold deserts Cover 1/5th of earth’s surface Rainfall (or snow in cold deserts) is around 15 cm per year
Chaparral
Chaparral
Chaparral Found a little bit on most continents Hot and Dry Looks like the “wild west” Animals include coyotes, deer, horned toads, praying mantis
Break!! In the margin of your handout answer the following questions How much of the earth’s surface is covered by a desert True or false: Chaparrals are found only on the South American continent. Share your answers with another person at your table
Temperate Grassland
Temperate Grassland
Temperate Grassland Large, rolling terrains Local climates determine what plants grow there Fires are common and stop large forests from growing
Temperate Deciduous Forest
Temperate Deciduous Forest
Temperate Deciduous Forest 4 seasons - spring, summer, fall, winter Our area is a natural deciduous forest Animals adapt by hibernating in the winter Plants lean towards the sun Most land has been turned into farm land Soil is very fertile
Break!! In the margin of your handout answer the following questions In a temperate grassland, what stops large forests from growing? True or false: We live in a temperate Deciduous Forest. Share your answers with another person at your table
Coniferous Forest
Coniferous Forest
Coniferous Forest Pine trees = Coniferous Forest Trees with needles Don’t loose their needles in the winter Some animals hibernate in the winter, others fly south Many wildfires - trees have thick bark to protect themselves
Tundra
Tundra
Tundra Very cold Not many plants grow here If it starts to thaw out, it’s almost like a marsh Annual average temperature is -18ºF Animals include caribou, wolves, foxes, bears, deer
Break!! In the margin of your handout answer the following questions What kind of trees grow in a Coniferous Forest True or false: The tundra does not have many plants because it is so cold. Share your answers with another person at your table