1. Canadian Biomes

2. Canada can be organized into four biomes:
A biome is a collection of ecosystems that are similar or related to each other, usually in the type of plants they support.
Canada can be organized into four biomes:
The Tundra Biome
The Boreal Forest Biome
The Temperate Deciduous Forest Biome
The Grassland Biome

3. The Tundra Biome Canada’s northernmost biome
Is a cold desert- receives only 10 to 12 cm or precipitation per year
Abiotic factors:
very low temperatures for most of the year
short growing season
permafrost layer beneath the soil (a layer of soil that never thaws)
low precipitation
poor soil quality

4. Communities: rapid-flowering plants mosses and lichens Caribou
Rock ptarmigan (a bird that lives permanently in the tundra biome)
lemmings
arctic foxes
wolverines (Hugh Jackman?)

5. The Boreal Forest (or taiga) Biome
immediately south of the tundra biome
where the permafrost ends, the boreal forest begins
dominated by conifers (trees with needle-shaped leaves; are adapted to harsh environments)
the climate is harsh, with many rapid changes in temperature

6. Abiotic factors: warmer than tundra (no permafrost) changeable weather
the soil contains some water and is acidic
precipitation is 40 cm/year or more

7. Community: coniferous trees seed-eating birds squirrels voles
snowshoe hares
deer
pine martens (small carnivore)
grey wolves

8. The Temperate Deciduous Forest
south of the boreal forest, in Eastern and central Canada
dominated by deciduous trees, such as maples and oaks
Abiotic factors:
longer growing season
higher temperatures
fertile soil
precipitation up to 100 cm/year

9. Community: deciduous trees shrubs, ferns tree and ground squirrels
insects
shrews, mice
deer
black bears
woodpeckers
weasles
wolves

10. The Grassland Biome
extends from eastern Manitoba to the Rocky Mountains
similar to the deciduous forest biome, but receives less moisture than deciduous forest biome
Abiotic factors:
longer growing season
higher temperatures
rich, fertile soil
precipitation from 25 to 75 cm/year

11. Community: grasslands grasshoppers bison voles, mice snakes hawks
wolves