1. Biomes
A Whirlwind Tour of
Life on Earth

2. Tropical Forests near equator in S. America and Africa
inches/year of rain
80oF average temperature
high biodiversity
complex structure
many levels of life
Monkeys and snakes
lianas, epiphytes
woody vines, hanging plants

3. Coniferous Forest taiga
northern Eurasia, N. America, northern California coast
spruce, fir, and pines
thick bark and leaves that withstand snow
fungi, mosses, lichens grow due to needle canopy
some of worlds tallest trees
redwoods

4. Deciduous Forests
south of taiga in eastern N. America, eastern Asia, and much of Europe
30-40 in/year of rain
deciduous trees
oak, hemlock, maple
well-developed understory
plentiful animal life

5. Deserts Arizona, Saudi Arabia, Africa rainfall less than 10 in.
hot days, cold nights
lack vegetation
contain succulents
plants that store water
insects thrive during rain
lizards, snakes, birds, rodents, predator mammals abundant

6. Grasslands rainfall 10-30 inches/year savanna African grassland
“The Lion King”
prairie
temperate grassland
Midwestern U.S.
much converted to farmland
grazing animals (bison, pronghorn antelope)
small mammals (praire dogs, mice, snakes, coyotes)
many animals live in burrows

7. Tundra arctic and alpine tundras
arctic is cold, dark, and dry ( 6-10 inches)
thick layer of permafrost
simple vegetation
sedges, mosses, grasses
caribou, polar bears, sandpipers, flies, salmon

8. Biomes
A Whirlwind Tour of
Life on Earth