1. Chapter 4 Section 3 Biomes
Objectives:
Explain what microclimates are.
Identify the characteristics of major land biomes.

2. Introduction
A biome is a complex of terrestrial communities that covers a large area and is characterized by certain soil and climate conditions and particular assemblages of plants and animals.
All kinds of organisms can not live in every biome.

3. Introduction
Species vary in their adaptations of different conditions.
Plants and animals also exhibit variations of tolerance, or ability to survive and reproduce under conditions that differ from their optimal conditions.

4. Biomes and Climate Each species is adapted to certain conditions.
The climate of a region is an important factor in determining which organisms can survive there.
Microclimate: The climate in a small area that differs from the climate around it.
Two main components of climate:
temperature and precipitation

5. The Major Biomes
The world’s major biomes include tropical rain forest, tropical dry forest, tropical savanna, desert, temperate, grassland, temperate woodland and shrubland, temperate forest, northwestern coniferous forest, boreal forest, and tundra. Each of these biomes is defined by a unique set of abiotic factors - particularly climate - and a characteristic assemblage of plants and animals. (KEY CONCEPT)

6. Other Land Areas Mountain Ranges
Abiotic and biotic conditions vary with elevation
As you move up from base to summit, temperatures become colder and precipitation increases = types of plants and animals also change.

7. Other land areas Polar Ice Caps
The icy polar regions that border the tundra are cold year-round.
Plants and algae are few but do include mosses and lichens.

8. Other Land Areas Polar Ice Caps North Pole
Arctic Ocean is covered with sea ice
Greenland is covered by a thick ice cap
dominant animals = polar bears, seals, insects, and mites

9. Other Land Areas Polar Ice Caps South Pole
Antarctica is covered by a layer of ice
dominant wildlife = penguins and marine animals

10. 4-3 Section Assessment How are biomes classified?
How might a mountain range affect the types of plants and animals found in an area?