1. Biomes

2. What is a biome?
A large area with similar climate and soil conditions.
10 terrestrial biomes cover the earth from the poles to the equator.
2 aquatic biomes: freshwater and ocean
Each is defined by temperature, precipitation, and the organisms that live there.

3. Tropical rain forest Climate: hot & wet year round, poor soil
No winter
Average temp. 18°C
Rain > 200 cm year
Life forms: Large broad-leafed trees, vines, ferns, huge diversity of insects and other animals
location: equatorial regions

4. Tropical savanna (wet & dry)
Climate: hot, seasonal rainfall, long dry periods, fire
Life forms: grasses, trees, large herbivores, big cats
location: Africa, S. America
Serengeti plain, Africa

5. Humid mid-latitude Climates
Mild winters
Average temperature in winter: -3°C to 18°C
Latitude: ° - 40°
Think: which city has the lowest annual rainfall?
Which cities has the lowest average temperature?

6. North West coniferous forest: Marine west coast climate
Climate: mild winters and cool summers, moist, warm air from Pacific Ocean, abundant rainfall
Life forms: redwoods, firs, spruce, bears, elk, owls, beavers
Location: NW US and Canada

7. Temperate woodland: Dry summer subtropical
Climate: strong winter rainfall, dry summers
Life forms: Grasses, evergreen shrubs drought tolerant, deer/ goats, butterflies
Location: Mediterranean, CA

8. Humid sub- tropical
Climate: hot humid summers, mild winters

9. Desert Climate: hot, dry, soils rich in minerals
Life forms: cacti, brush, coyotes, reptiles, small mammals, birds
Where: N. America, N. Africa, Australia, Chile, middle east, N. Asia
Think: which picture was not taken in the USA? How do you know?

10. Taiga: boreal forest Climate: long, cold winters, moderate rainfall
Life forms: evergreen trees, berry bushes
Large mammals, migratory songbirds
Location: North: America, Asia, & Europe

11. Tundra
Climate: permafrost, frozen subsoil. Long, cold winters, short summers < 10°C
Life forms: mosses, lichens, grasses, caribou, musk ox, fox, small rodents, migratory birds
Location: polar regions of North America, Asia, & Europe

12. Summary review
What abiotic factors influence biomes? How do biotic factors respond?
Do you think different biomes have different limiting factors?
How many tropical climates are there?
Name a difference between temperate woodland and NW coniferous biomes.
What are the 2 driest climates?