1. The biosphere is divided into major areas called biomes.
What are biomes?
The biosphere is divided into major areas called biomes.

2. BIOMES
A biome is determined mainly by its climate-like temperature and rainfall.
Each biome has a different climate, which, in turn, affects the soil.
The earth’s land areas are divided into major biomes.

3. 1. TUNDRA Climate/Rainfall:
Bitterly cold and covered with snow and ice.
Ground remains permanently frozen (permafrost).

4. 1. TUNDRA Plants/Animals:
Only certain small plants such as mosses and grasses can grow.
Some animals like reindeer and foxes move in during the growing season.

5. Tundra

6. 2. CONIFEROUS FOREST Climate/Rainfall: Cold climate
Summers are warm, rainy, and humid

7. 2. CONIFEROUS FOREST Plants/Animals:
Dense forests (tree tops block out a lot of sunlight)
Grasses, small trees cannot grow – only some shrubs, ferns and mosses thrive.
Animals such as squirrels, moose, birds, and insects live here.
Most of these animals survive the brutal winters by migrating or hibernating.

8. 2. CONIFEROUS FOREST Plants/Animals:
Conifers = cone-bearing trees (pines, fir)
Conifer leaves conserve water with the thick, waxy layer that covers their leaves, also known as needles. 

10. 3. DECIDUOUS FOREST Climate/Rainfall: Thrive in moderate climates.
Summers may be hot and winters may be cold.
Receive a good supply of water.

11. 3. DECIDUOUS FOREST Plants/Animals:
Maples and oaks – shed leaves in Fall.
Dense forests
Provides habitats for many animals.

12. Deciduous forest in Winter

13. Deciduous forest in Spring

14. Deciduous forest in Fall

15. 4. TROPICAL RAIN FOREST Climate/Rainfall:
Very warm and very moist all the time.
Receives plenty of sunlight and rain.
Excellent for plant growth and soil development.
Found in areas near the equator.

16. 4. TROPICAL RAIN FOREST Plants/Animals: Plants grow thick and tall.
Support more plant life and animal species than any other biome.

18. 5. GRASSLANDS Climate/Rainfall:
Temperatures similar to deciduous forest.
Do not receive much rainfall – enough rain to support grasses but not trees.
Soil is very rich.

19. 5. GRASSLANDS Plants/Animals: Mostly grass!
Excellent for grazing animals.
Wheat and corn grow here.
Home for many small, burrowing animals.

21. 6. DESERT Climate/Rainfall: Very dry; receives very little rainfall.
Very hot during the day, cold at night.
Soil is very dry and poor.

22. 6. DESERT Plants/Animals:
Only a few kinds of plants grow in the desert.
Very few animals can survive in the desert.