1. Biomes of Planet Earth

2. An ecosystem is all the living and nonliving factors that affect an organism. (abiotic and biotic)
A biome is a major region that is characterized by its climate,soil type(s), and the dominant plants, animals, and other organisms that live there. A biome is made up of many individual ecosystems.

3. Ecotone
Boundary between two biomes

4. Climate
Climate defines the boundaries of terrestrial biomes

5. Earth has six major biomes.
A biome is a major community of organisms.

6. Climatograms
A climatogram is a graph that shows average monthly values for two factors: temperature and precipitation.
Temperature is expressed in degrees Celsius and is plotted as a smooth curve.
Precipitation values are given in centimeters and are plotted as a histogram.

7. Tropical rain forest biomes produce lush forests.
Source: World Meteorological Organization
warm temperature
abundant precipitation all year

8. Grassland biomes are where the primary plant life is grass.
Rapid City, South Dakota
Source: National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration

9. Grassland biomes are where the primary plant life is grass.
Temperate grasslands are dry and warm during the summer; most precipitation falls as snow.
Tropical grasslands are warm through the year, with definite dry and rainy seasons.

10. Temperate forest biomes include deciduous forests and rain forests.
Temperate deciduous forests have hot summers and cold winters.
Deciduous trees are the dominant plant species.
Source: National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration
Burlington, Vermont

11. Desert biomes are characterized by a very arid climate.
Tucson, Arizona
Source: National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration
very low amount of precipitation
four types: hot, semi-arid, coastal, and cold

12. Deciduous trees are the dominant plant species.
Temperate forest biomes include deciduous forests and rain forests.
Temperate deciduous forests have hot summers and cold winters.
Deciduous trees are the dominant plant species.
The temperate rain forests have a long wet season and relatively dry summer.
Ferns and moss cover the forest floor. 

13. The taiga biome is located in cooler northern climates.
Source: Environment Canada
Banff, Canada
boreal forest
long winters and short summers
small amount of precipitation

14. The tundra biome is found in the far northern latitudes with long winters.
Barrow, Alaska
Source: National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration
winter lasts 10 months
limited precipitation
permafrost

15. Minor biomes, such as chaparral, occur globally on a smaller scale.

16. Polar ice caps and mountains are not considered biomes.
Polar ice caps have no soil, therefore no plant community.
The climate and organisms found on mountains change as the elevation changes.