Biomes

What’s a biome? A group of land ecosystems with similar climates (temperature & precipitation) and organisms. A group of land ecosystems with similar climates (temperature & precipitation) and organisms.

Tropical Rainforests Physical --- Warm & humid, found near equator, sunlight constant throughout the year Physical --- Warm & humid, found near equator, sunlight constant throughout the year Temperature --- Warm, doesn’t vary throughout the year Temperature --- Warm, doesn’t vary throughout the year Precipitation --- A LOT! Precipitation --- A LOT! Plants & Animal --- Contains over 300 different kinds of trees; ferns, orchids, and vines; many bird species and other animals Plants & Animal --- Contains over 300 different kinds of trees; ferns, orchids, and vines; many bird species and other animals Interesting Fact --- contains more species of plants and animals than all other biomes combined Interesting Fact --- contains more species of plants and animals than all other biomes combined

Deserts Physical --- Contains sand and dry & hot conditions Physical --- Contains sand and dry & hot conditions Temperature --- Extreme temperatures Temperature --- Extreme temperatures Precipitation --- Less than 25 centimeters/year Precipitation --- Less than 25 centimeters/year Plants & Animal --- Cacti; plants adapted to lack of rain; Gila monster, shovel-snouted lizard; animals adapt to hot conditions Plants & Animal --- Cacti; plants adapted to lack of rain; Gila monster, shovel-snouted lizard; animals adapt to hot conditions Interesting Fact --- Amount of evaporation is greater than precipitation. Interesting Fact --- Amount of evaporation is greater than precipitation.

Grasslands Physical --- Located in middle latitudes; contains rich soil Physical --- Located in middle latitudes; contains rich soil Temperature --- comfortable temperatures; cool breeze Temperature --- comfortable temperatures; cool breeze Precipitation --- between centimeters/year Precipitation --- between centimeters/year Plants & Animal --- different species of grasses, shrubs, small trees; sparrows, rabbits, bison, antelopes, zebras, rhinos, giraffes, kangaroos. Plants & Animal --- different species of grasses, shrubs, small trees; sparrows, rabbits, bison, antelopes, zebras, rhinos, giraffes, kangaroos. Interesting Fact --- grasslands located closer to equator are called savannas. Interesting Fact --- grasslands located closer to equator are called savannas.

Deciduous Forest Physical --- Cool mornings, warm days, Physical --- Cool mornings, warm days, Temperature --- Varies; growing season lasts 5-6 months. Temperature --- Varies; growing season lasts 5-6 months. Precipitation centimeters/year Precipitation centimeters/year Plants & Animal --- varieties of plant life, oak trees and maple trees, small ferns and mosses; opossums, mice, skunks, chipmunks, deer, black bears. Plants & Animal --- varieties of plant life, oak trees and maple trees, small ferns and mosses; opossums, mice, skunks, chipmunks, deer, black bears. Interesting Fact --- In the winter not many animals around because they hibernate or birds migrate. Interesting Fact --- In the winter not many animals around because they hibernate or birds migrate.

Boreal Forest Physical --- Colder climate, Can tell by the smell (spruces & fir trees). Physical --- Colder climate, Can tell by the smell (spruces & fir trees). Temperature --- Cold winters, warm summers Temperature --- Cold winters, warm summers Precipitation --- A lot of snow in the winter and summers are rainy. Precipitation --- A lot of snow in the winter and summers are rainy. Plants & Animal --- Contain conifers (trees that produce seeds in cones), firs, spruces, hemlock; red squirrels, deer, elk, moose, porcupines, and large predators – wolves, bears, etc. Plants & Animal --- Contain conifers (trees that produce seeds in cones), firs, spruces, hemlock; red squirrels, deer, elk, moose, porcupines, and large predators – wolves, bears, etc. Interesting Fact --- Snowfall can reach heights over your head! Interesting Fact --- Snowfall can reach heights over your head!

Tundra Physical --- barren terrain (nothing there), explodes with color in summer; Short summers. Physical --- barren terrain (nothing there), explodes with color in summer; Short summers. Temperature --- Extremely cold! Temperature --- Extremely cold! Precipitation --- no more than a desert Precipitation --- no more than a desert Plants & Animal --- Mosses, grasses, shrubs, dwarf forms of small trees; mammals --- caribou, foxes, wolves, hares (rabbits) Plants & Animal --- Mosses, grasses, shrubs, dwarf forms of small trees; mammals --- caribou, foxes, wolves, hares (rabbits) Interesting Fact --- most of the soil is frozen all year. Interesting Fact --- most of the soil is frozen all year.

Freshwater Physical --- Affected by sunlight, temperature and oxygen. Physical --- Affected by sunlight, temperature and oxygen. Temperature --- Warm and cold throughout Temperature --- Warm and cold throughout Precipitation --- None, rains above Precipitation --- None, rains above Plants & Animal --- algae, bacteria, plants growing along the side; insects, snails, frogs, salamanders, varieties of fish. Plants & Animal --- algae, bacteria, plants growing along the side; insects, snails, frogs, salamanders, varieties of fish. Interesting Fact quarters of the Earth is covered in water. Interesting Fact quarters of the Earth is covered in water.

Marine Physical --- Contains 4 zones based on tides, organisms, and waves. Physical --- Contains 4 zones based on tides, organisms, and waves. Temperature --- Warmer temperature at the top, colder temperatures toward the bottom Temperature --- Warmer temperature at the top, colder temperatures toward the bottom Precipitation --- None Precipitation --- None Plants & Animal --- Mostly algae and marine plants, marsh grasses along the side; sea stars, crabs, worms, clams, oysters, fish. Plants & Animal --- Mostly algae and marine plants, marsh grasses along the side; sea stars, crabs, worms, clams, oysters, fish. Interesting Fact --- Coral Reef is a living home for many organisms. Interesting Fact --- Coral Reef is a living home for many organisms.