1. World Biomes

2. Biomes Regions of the world with similar physical environments
Named for most conspicuous types of vegetation
Climate factors
Rainfall (precipitation)
Temperature
Altitude
Latitude
Boundaries are indistinct

3. Six Major Biomes Tropical Rain Forests Grassland Desert Temperate
Tropical/Subtropical Grassland
Temperate Grassland
Desert
Temperate
Temperate Deciduous Forest
Temperate Rain Forest
Taiga
Tundra

4. Tropical Rain Forests Equatorial lowlands
Constant temperature and abundant rainfall all year long
Many arboreal animals
Few terrestrial animals

6. Tropical and Subtropical Grassland
Warm temperatures throughout the year
Well defined dry season and rainy season
Large herbivores
High grasses
Scattered trees and shrubs

8. Temperate Grassland Hot, humid summer and cold winter
Precipitation as winter snow and heavy spring and summer rain
Short and tall grasses; trees found only near streams
Wide variety of animal life
Large herbivores
Smaller animals build burrows

10. Deserts Identified by lack of precipitation Deserts can be cold or hot
Antarctica is a cold desert
Nocturnal animal life in hot deserts
Plants are well adapted to short water supply

12. Temperate Deciduous Forests
Deciduous forests of mid‑latitude regions
Cold winters and hot summers
Abundant rain and snowfall
Wide variety of animal life

14. Temperate Rain Forests
Cold winters and hot summers
Abundant rain and snowfall
Conifers (redwood, firs, pines, spruce) retain their needles.
Needles conserve water in dry summer and shed snow in cold winter
Wide variety of animal life

16. Taiga (Boreal Forest) Coniferous (Evergreen) Forests
Found at high elevations and/or far northern latitudes
Snow accounts for most of the precipitation
Animals are adapted to long, cold winters

18. Tundra Areas with continuously frozen ground (permafrost)
Near polar regions
Small plants limited by frozen soil and prolonged dark season
Animals adapted to extreme cold; birds often migrate