Biomes

There are 6 major biomes in the world: Rain Forest Desert Grassland Deciduous or Temperate Forest Taiga or Boreal Forest Tundra

Rain Forest Biome

Rain Forest Biome Climate Almost constant temperature - 25°C (77°F) High humidity More than 200 cm rainfall yearly www.angelfire.com

Rain Forest Animals More than any other biome - the greatest variety (or diversity) and number of animals live here. The reason is the constant warmth and supply of water and food. Small animals (monkeys, birds, snakes, rodents, frogs, lizards, insects, etc) often live only in the trees – never coming to the ground

Rain Forest Plants Emergent Layer Canopy Understory Forest Floor There is 12 hours of sunlight in a tropical rainforest biome, but less than 2% of it reaches the ground. Soil is very poor and infertile. “Jungle”

Desert Biome

Desert Biome These areas get very little precipitation and have extreme temperatures. www.uwsp.edu

Desert Biome Climate 10°C – 38°C (50°F - 100°F) Less than 25 cm (10 in) rainfall yearly

Desert Animals Reptiles, insects, birds, small mammals. These animals seek shade, burrow, and are active at night (nocturnal). Get water from food: insects, seeds, plants

Desert Plants Short grasses, sagebrush, creosote bushes, cacti Adaptations for survival: LONG (20 – 30 ft) tap roots (root goes deep into the ground to “tap” into groundwater, large horizontal root systems, and the ability to store water

Grassland Biome

2 types of grassland biome Prairies – found in middle latitudes Savannas – found close to equator www.lasr.net www.ucmp.berkeley.edu

Grassland Biome Climate 0°C – 25°C (32°F - 77°F) 25-100 cm rainfall yearly Very warm summers

Grassland (Prairie) Animals Buffalo, prairie dogs – many small mammals which are herbivores

Grassland (Savannah) Animals Some of the Earth’s largest animals: elephants, giraffes, antelopes, cheetah, lions, rhinoceros Many migrate because there is a long dry season and a wet season.

Grassland (Prairie) plants Grasses and other non-woody plants which can grow very tall because the soil is very fertile. Droughts are common – plants have adapted to survive long periods without water. Fires are common – in fact helps new growth for many of these plants.

Grassland (Savannah) plants Grasses and some short (scrub) trees. Grasses can grow very tall because the soil is very fertile. Have adapted to survive the long dry seasons and intense wet seasons Grow quickly when the water is available Fires are common – in fact helps new growth for many of these plants.

Deciduous Forest or Temperate Forest Biome

Deciduous Forest Biome Deciduous trees are trees that lose their leaves. 50 cm - 200 cm precipitation yearly (rain and snow) http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov

Deciduous Forest Biome 4 distinct seasons The summers are warm and the winters are cool. The average temperatures in the summer are 28º C (82º F) and in the winter are 6º C (43º F).

Deciduous Forest Biome These forests have several layers of vegetation or plants. These plants include shrubs, moss, ferns, and lichens because they don’t need much light. http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov

Deciduous Forest Biome The trees in these forests are hardwoods such as oak, hickory, maple, beech, birch, and sweet gum. http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov

Deciduous Forest Biome There is a diverse population of animals in these forests and a large number of animals. They are all adapted to survive the season changes. http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov

Deciduous Forest Biome Climate Examples of animals include cardinals, robins, owls, deer, black rat snakes, opossum, mice, squirrels, raccoons, etc. http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov

Deciduous Forest or Temperate Forest Biome Georgia is in a deciduous forest biome.

Taiga (Coniferous or Boreal Forest)

Taiga/Boreal/Coniferous Forest Biome Climate Very cold winters average = -10º C or 14º F; warmer summer temperatures, average = 14º C or 57º F

Taiga/Boreal/Coniferous Forest Biome Climate 45-125 cm precipitation yearly

Taiga/Boreal/Coniferous Forest Biome This is a forest of conifers. Conifers are trees that produce seeds in cones. The pine tree is a common example.

Taiga/Boreal/Coniferous Forest Biome Conifer leaves save water with a thick, waxy layer that covers the leaves, or needles.

Taiga/Boreal/Coniferous Forest Biome Conifers are softwoods. Other examples are fir, spruce, and hemlock (think Christmas trees)

Taiga/Boreal/Coniferous Forest Biome Most of the animals are herbivores. Most survive the brutal winters by migrating or hibernating.

Taiga/Boreal/Coniferous Forest Biome Migration is the movement of animals from one habitat that will no longer support them to another habitat that will.

Taiga/Boreal/Coniferous Forest Biome Hibernation is when an animal is inactive and slows down its metabolism. It is able to lower its body temperature, slow down its breathing, and/or lower its metabolic rate.

Taiga/Boreal/Coniferous Forest Biome Examples of herbivores are squirrels, insects, birds, snowshoe hares, moose, and beavers. Examples of predators are wolves, bears, great horned owls, foxes, and lynxes.

Tundra Biome

Tundra Biome Climate -40°C – 10°C (-40°F – 50°F) Less than 25 cm precipitation yearly Tundra means “marshy plain” www.blueplanetbiomes.org

Tundra Biome Permafrost is soil that stays frozen all year. It is found beneath the top, thawed layer. www.blueplanetbiomes.org

Tundra Biome Because of the permafrost the top layer of soil is always soggy. Because the soil that is NOT frozen is only a few inches deep, only plants with shallow roots can survive.

Tundra Biome Plants are mosses, grasses, shrubs, and small, short trees. www.blueplanetbiomes.org

Tundra Biome In the summer there are many insects and birds that feed on the insects. Before winter these birds migrate. www.blueplanetbiomes.org

Tundra Biome Climate Mammals of the tundra include caribou, foxes, wolves, polar bears, and arctic wolves. www.blueplanetbiomes.org

Tundra Biome The mammals that remain in the winter grow thick fur coats. www.blueplanetbiomes.org

Tundra Biome Small mammals like lemmings, hares, and shrews are also common. www.blueplanetbiomes.org