1. Biomes and Climate

2. Climate
Average weather conditions of an area over a long period of time
Mainly precipitation and temperatures
3 Climate Zones on Earth
1. Tropical
2. Temperate
3. Polar

3. Natural Factors that affect climate
1. Latitude (distance from the equator)

4. Natural Factors that affect climate
2. Prevailing winds in the Atmosphere

5. Natural Factors that affect climate
3. Mountain formations
(topography)

6. Natural Factors that affect climate
4. Large Water Bodies

7. Natural Factors that affect climate
5. Ocean Currents

8. Biomes
Region of similar climate
Similar plant/animal life

9. Tropical Zone ~ The region that surrounds the equator
~ Receive the most solar radiation
~Temperatures are usually hot, except at high elevations
~ Includes :
Tropical Rain Forests
Tropical Savannas
Tropical Deserts

10. Temperate Zones
~ The climate zone between the Tropics and the polar zone
~ Receive less solar energy than latitudes in the Tropics
~ Temperatures tend to be lower than the Tropics
~Includes:
Temperate Forest
Temperate Grassland
Chaparral
Temperate Desert

11. Polar Zone ~The North or South Pole and its surrounding area
~Has the coldest average temperatures (below freezing all winter and cool summers)
~Includes:
Tundra
Taiga

12. Marine Biomes
~Shaped by abiotic factors – temperature, water depth, amount of sunlight that passes into the water. The largest of all biomes. Water covers ¾ of the Earth
~Organisms of all sizes can be found
~Includes
Freshwater
Saltwater

13. Freshwater and Saltwater
Freshwater includes: ponds, lakes, streams, rivers, and wetlands
Saltwater includes: oceans, coral reefs, estuaries

14. Rain Forest Biome (Tropical)
Temperature: Warm and wet; seasons do not vary
Precipitation: Lots of rain (more than 200cm/yr)
Soil: Thin and Nutrient Poor
Plants/Animals: greatest number of any biome; most diverse place on Earth

15. Savanna (Tropical) Temperature: usually very warm
Precipitation: dry season 4-8 months followed by short periods of rain
Soil: nutrient poor (grass fires during the dry season leave the soils nutrient enriched)
Plants/Animals: tall grasses, trees, and thorny shrubs, lions, crocodiles and elephants
Africa and South America

16. Tropical Desert Biome (Tropical)
Temperature: extremely hot usually with cooler nights
Precipitation: driest place on Earth.
Soil: poor in organic matter which is needed for plant growth.
Plants/Animals: only those that have adapted to live with little water: snakes, rats, plants that are able to store water.

17. Temperate Forest (Temperate)
Temperature: Cool winters; warm summers/mild
Precipitation: regular and plenty of it
Soil: very fertile and organically rich
1. Deciduous forest (temperate)
~Trees lose leaves
~Lots of animal and plant types
2. Coniferous forest (temperate)
~Tall pine trees, small plants
~Lots of animals

18. Temperate Grassland (Temperate)
Temperatures vary: Winters are cold; Summers are hot
Precipitation: seasonal; some regions receive too little rainfall for trees to grow
Soil: most fertile soils of all biomes

19. Chaparral (temperate)
Temp: Hot, dry summers; Cool, wet winters
Moderate precipitation
Low lying plants mostly
Rocky/Poor soil

20. Temperate Desert (temperate)
Temperature: Tend to be cold deserts (light snow during the winter)
Precipitation: less than 25cm yearly
Soil: poor in organic matter
These deserts can be hot in the daytime, but they are often VERY cold at night

21. Tundra Biome (Polar) Temperatures are very cold
Short summers with almost 24 hrs of light
Long cold winters with almost 24hrs of night
Precipitation is very limited
Soil is frozen most of the year with only the top layer thawing in the summer

22. Taiga (Polar) Temp: Long cold winters; Short summers
Precipitation is moderate
Soil: acidic which most plants cannot grow in. Majority of the trees are evergreen.

23. Microclimates The climate of a small area. Alpine Biome is an example
Mountain tops
Above tree line
All around world—even in the Tropics!