1. Biomes/Terrestrial Biomes
EQ: What differentiates Earth’s biomes?

2. Biomes
A biome is a large area characterized by its abiotic and biotic factors
Abiotic: climate
Biotic: plants and animals.
A biome contains related ecosystems
Biomes are classified as either terrestrial (land) or aquatic (water)

3. Abiotic Factors
A biome is characterized by its climate, plants and animals
Climate is the long-term weather patterns for an area determined by its temperature and precipitation.
In biomes where the climate is characterized by high temperatures and high levels of rainfall, you will find abundant life.
Example: Rainforest
In biomes where the climate is characterized by either low temperatures and/or low amounts of precipitation, life is more scarce.
Example: Tundra
In general, the closer to the equator the biome is, the more life will exist

4. The Earth’s Terrestrial (Land) Biomes
There are seven major terrestrial (land)biomes:
Tundra
Coniferous Forest/Taiga
Desert
Grassland/Prairie
Grassland/ Savanna
Deciduous Forest
Rainforest

5. Tundra Alaska, Northern Canada Long cold winters Cool summers.
“Frozen desert”
Little plant and animal life.
Permafrost

6. Desert SW United States, Mexico, Africa, Australia, Middle East
Little rainfall
Extreme temp differences
Succulents
Nocturnal animals

7. Prairie/Grasslands Midwest US, Moderate precipitation
Wide range of temperatures
Windy
Flat terrain
Covered in grass

8. Savannas Africa, India, S. America Wet/Dry seasons
Wide range of temperatures
Deep rooted grasses
Hooved animals

9. Coniferous Forest/Taiga
Canada, N.Europe, Asia
Long, cold winters
Moderate summers
Precipitation is mostly snow
Conifers

10. Temperate/Deciduous Forest
Eastern US, W. Europe, E. Asia
Our biome!
Four seasons
Moderate temperatures
Moderate rain
Trees lose leaves

11. Tropical Rainforest Equatorial regions 70-200 inches of rain
High temps
Layers of vegetation
Most species!
/watch?v=m4bNrIIe0bk& safety_mode=true&persi st_safety_mode=1

12. Aquatic Biomes
Water covers ¾ of the Earth, and is home to both the largest and the smallest organisms.
There are two types of aquatic biomes:
Marine (Ocean)
Freshwater (lakes, rivers, streams, etc)

13. EQ: What differentiates the Earth’s biomes?
Exploring Biomes
EQ: What differentiates the Earth’s biomes?

14. Overview
Purpose: to gather gather information to differentiate between the Earth’s biomes
2 days of in-class work time
Needs:
Laptop
Pencil
Exploring Biomes sheet
This information may be used as you complete your assignment: A Poem In Two Voices

15. Procedures Go to my site, and click on LINKS
Scroll way, way down, and click on “BIOMES WEQUEST”
“Science Spot”
Click on “Kids Zone”
Black bar at the top, right-hand side
Click on “Ecology and Environment” under BIOLOGY
Click on “Kids Do Ecology Biomes” under ECOSYSTEMS AND BIOLOGY
Scroll down the page to find links for biomes
Visit the various sites listed to find information to complete the chart
Can’t find the info you need???
You may go to other sites to supplement

16. Trouble Shooting
Not going to Science Spot?? – more than likely you clicked on the wrong link on my site. Scroll down until you see “BIOMES WEBQUEST”, and click on the link provided
Temperature highs and lows should be the average WINTER high/low and the average SUMMER high/low
Precipitation: average yearly precipitation. Patterns = rain, snow, combination
Describe the seasons: Ex: snowy winter, dry summer OR Rainy season/dry season, etc.

18. Aquatic Biomes Cover ¾ of the Earth Smallest organisms
Largest organisms
Marine (Ocean)
Freshwater