4-3 Terrestrial Biomes Biomes site

Biome A. Complex terrestrial communities that: 1. covers a large area. 2. characterized by certain soil and climate conditions. 3. particular assemblages of plants and animals. 2. Tolerance A. Plants and animals are adapted to exist in particular environments.

B. Allows them to survive in different conditions. C. They can tolerate some fluctuations in conditions, but generally don’t survive outside their particular climate. 3. Biomes and Climate A. Climate generally stays the same within any particular biome. B. Microclimates is the climate in a small area that differs then the surrounding climate.

4. Major Biomes A. Ecologist recognize at least ten major biomes B. Include: 1. Tropical rain forest 2. Tropical dry forest 3. Tropical savanna 4. Desert 5. Temperate grassland 6. Temperate woodland and shrubland

7. Temperate forest 8. Northwestern coniferous forest 9. Boreal forest 10. Tundra C. Each biome is defined by a unique set of abiotic factors and a characteristic assemblage of plants and animals. D. Fig. 4-11; pg. 99

Tropical Rain Forest Climate Characteristic Plants Characteristic Animals hot and wet year-round (25-30ºC) nutrient poor soils precipitation year round (usually more than 100 mm per month) ferns, broad-leafed evergreen trees, woody vines, climbing plants, orchids, bromeliads tall trees (50-80m) forming canopy sloth, tapirs, capybaras, jaguars, anteaters, monkeys, toucans, parrots, parakeets, butterflies, beetles, ants, piranhas, caymans, anacondas

Tropical Rain Forest Parts of south and central America, Southeast Asia, parts of Africa, southern India, Northeastern Australia

Tropical Dry Forest Climate Characteristic Plants Characteristic Animals warm year-round Alternating wet and dry seasons Precipitation 0-350 mm per month Tall, deciduous trees that form a dense canopy during the wet season, aloes, succulents, orchids, bromeliads tigers, monkeys, elephants, Indian rhinoceroses, hog deer, hornbills, pied harriers, spot-billed pelicans, insects, snakes, monitor lizards

Tropical Dry Forest Parts of Africa, South and Central America, Mexico, India, Australia, tropical islands

Tropical Savannas Climate Characteristic Plants Characteristic Animals Precipitation between 10-300 mm per month 25°C to 30°C Warm temperatures, seasonal rainfall Tall perennial grasses; sometimes trees or shrubs – acacia tree lions, leopards, cheetahs, hyenas, jackals, aardvarks, elephants, giraffes, antelope, zebra, baboons, eagles, ostriches, insects

Tropical Savanna Large parts of eastern Africa, southern Brazil, northern Australia

Desert Climate Characteristic Plants Characteristic Animals less than 25 cm of rain per year Varies greatly with elevation and altitude 15-35°C hot summers, cold winters (some are hot all year) sparse vegetation – cactus, small plants, creosote bush, succulents mountain lion, gray fox, bobcats, mule deer, pronghorn antelope, desert bighorn sheep, kangaroo rats, bats, owls, hawks, roadrunners, ants, beetles, butterflies, tortoises, rattlesnakes, lizards

Desert Africa, Asia, the Middle East, united States, Mexico, South America, Australia

Temperate Grassland Climate Characteristic Plants Characteristic Animals precipitation between 20-100 mm per month 10°C to 30°C cold winters, hot summers Lush, perennial grasses and herbs coyotes, badgers, wolves, grizzly bears, mule deer, pronghorn antelope, rabbits, prairie dogs, hawks, owls, bobwhites, prairie chickens, snakes, insects

Temperate Grasslands Central Asia, North America, Australia, central Europe, South America

Temperate Woodland and Shrubland Climate Characteristic Plants Characteristic Animals Precipitation 0-75 mm per month Temperature 10ºC - 20ºC Hot, dry summers; cool moist winters; nutrient poor soils, periodic fires Woody evergreen shrubs with small leathery leaves; fragrant, oily herbs, oak trees Coyotes, foxes, bobcats, mountain lions, blacktailed deer, rabbits, squirrels, hawks, quails, warblers, lizards, snakes, butterflies

Temperate Woodland and Shrubland Western coasts of North and South America, areas around the Mediterranean Sea, South Africa, Australia

Temperate Forest Climate Characteristic Plants Characteristic Animals Precipitation 75-100 mm per month Temperature 0ºC-30ºC Fertile soil Cold to moderate winters; warm summers Broadleaf deciduous trees, some coniferous trees, Flowering shrubs, herbs, mosses and ferns Deer, black bears, bobcats, squirrels, raccoons, skunks, songbirds, turkeys

Temperate Forest eastern U. S Temperate Forest eastern U.S., SE Canada, , most Europe, parts of Japan, China, and Australia

Northwestern Coniferous Forest Climate Characteristic Plants Characteristic Animals Precipitation 80-150 mm per month Temperature 5ºC - 20ºC Fall, winter, spring, relatively cool; dry summer, rocky acidic soil Douglas fir, Sitka spruce, western hemlock, redwood Bears, elk, deer, beavers, owls, bobcats, weasels, squirrels

Northwestern Coniferous Forest Pacific coast or NW U.S., Canada, N. Ca to Alaska

Boreal Forest (Coniferous Forest)/ Taiga Climate Characteristic Plants Characteristic Animals -25°C to 15°C 10-70 mm precipitation per month Short, cool summers; long, cold winters; high humidity Needle leaf coniferous trees – fir, pines, spruce; cone-bearing evergreen shrubs; some deciduous trees Lynx, timber wolves, weasels, moose, beavers, songbirds, migratory birds

Boreal North America, Asia, Northern Europe

Tundra Climate Characteristic Plants Characteristic Animals -30°C to 5°C (barely above freezing) little precipitation (0-20 mm per month) permafrost present; strong winds; short and soggy summers, long, cold and dark winters (small ground-hugging plants) mosses, grasses, shrubs, dwarf trees, lichen, sedges Migratory waterfowl, shore birds, musk ox, arctic foxes, caribou, lemmings, insects, wolves, hares, snowy owl,

Tundra northern N. America, Asia, Europe

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