1. 4-3 Terrestrial Biomes
Biomes site

2. Biome
A. Complex terrestrial communities that:
1. covers a large area.
2. characterized by certain soil and climate conditions.
3. particular assemblages of plants and animals.
2. Tolerance
A. Plants and animals are adapted to exist in particular environments.

3. B. Allows them to survive in different conditions.
C. They can tolerate some fluctuations in conditions, but generally don’t survive outside their particular climate.
3. Biomes and Climate
A. Climate generally stays the same within any particular biome.
B. Microclimates is the climate in a small area that differs then the surrounding climate.

4. 4. Major Biomes
A. Ecologist recognize at least ten major biomes
B. Include:
1. Tropical rain forest
2. Tropical dry forest
3. Tropical savanna
4. Desert
5. Temperate grassland
6. Temperate woodland and shrubland

5. 7. Temperate forest
8. Northwestern coniferous forest
9. Boreal forest
10. Tundra
C. Each biome is defined by a unique set of abiotic factors and a characteristic assemblage of plants and animals.
D. Fig. 4-11; pg. 99

6. Tropical Rain Forest Climate Characteristic Plants
Characteristic Animals
hot and wet year-round (25-30ºC)
nutrient poor soils
precipitation year round
(usually more than 100 mm per month)
ferns, broad-leafed evergreen trees, woody vines, climbing plants, orchids, bromeliads
tall trees (50-80m) forming canopy
sloth, tapirs, capybaras, jaguars, anteaters, monkeys, toucans, parrots, parakeets, butterflies, beetles, ants, piranhas, caymans, anacondas

7. Tropical Rain Forest Parts of south and central America,
Southeast Asia, parts
of Africa, southern
India, Northeastern Australia

8. Tropical Dry Forest Climate Characteristic Plants
Characteristic Animals
warm year-round
Alternating wet and dry seasons
Precipitation mm per month
Tall, deciduous trees that form a dense canopy during the wet season, aloes, succulents, orchids, bromeliads
tigers, monkeys, elephants, Indian rhinoceroses, hog deer, hornbills, pied harriers, spot-billed pelicans, insects, snakes, monitor lizards

9. Tropical Dry Forest
Parts of Africa, South and Central America, Mexico, India, Australia, tropical islands

10. Tropical Savannas Climate Characteristic Plants Characteristic Animals
Precipitation between mm per month
25°C to 30°C
Warm temperatures, seasonal rainfall
Tall perennial grasses; sometimes trees or shrubs – acacia tree
lions, leopards, cheetahs, hyenas, jackals, aardvarks, elephants, giraffes, antelope, zebra, baboons, eagles, ostriches, insects

11. Tropical Savanna
Large parts of eastern Africa, southern Brazil, northern Australia

12. Desert Climate Characteristic Plants Characteristic Animals
less than 25 cm of rain per year
Varies greatly with elevation and altitude
15-35°C
hot summers, cold winters (some are hot all year)
sparse vegetation –
cactus,
small plants,
creosote bush, succulents
mountain lion, gray fox, bobcats, mule deer, pronghorn antelope, desert bighorn sheep, kangaroo rats, bats, owls, hawks, roadrunners, ants, beetles, butterflies, tortoises, rattlesnakes, lizards

13. Desert Africa, Asia, the Middle East, united States, Mexico, South America, Australia

14. Temperate Grassland Climate Characteristic Plants
Characteristic Animals
precipitation between mm per month
10°C to 30°C
cold winters, hot summers
Lush, perennial grasses and herbs
coyotes, badgers, wolves, grizzly bears, mule deer, pronghorn antelope, rabbits, prairie dogs, hawks, owls, bobwhites, prairie chickens, snakes, insects

15. Temperate Grasslands Central Asia, North America, Australia, central Europe, South America

16. Temperate Woodland and Shrubland
Climate
Characteristic Plants
Characteristic Animals
Precipitation 0-75 mm per month
Temperature 10ºC - 20ºC
Hot, dry summers; cool moist winters; nutrient poor soils, periodic fires
Woody evergreen shrubs with small leathery leaves; fragrant, oily herbs, oak trees
Coyotes, foxes, bobcats, mountain lions, blacktailed deer, rabbits, squirrels, hawks, quails, warblers, lizards, snakes, butterflies

17. Temperate Woodland and Shrubland
Western coasts of North and South America, areas around the Mediterranean Sea, South Africa, Australia

18. Temperate Forest Climate Characteristic Plants Characteristic Animals
Precipitation mm per month
Temperature 0ºC-30ºC
Fertile soil
Cold to moderate winters; warm summers
Broadleaf deciduous trees, some coniferous trees,
Flowering shrubs, herbs, mosses and ferns
Deer, black bears, bobcats, squirrels, raccoons, skunks, songbirds, turkeys

19. Temperate Forest eastern U. S
Temperate Forest eastern U.S., SE Canada, , most Europe, parts of Japan, China, and Australia

20. Northwestern Coniferous Forest
Climate
Characteristic Plants
Characteristic Animals
Precipitation mm per month
Temperature 5ºC - 20ºC
Fall, winter, spring, relatively cool; dry summer, rocky acidic soil
Douglas fir, Sitka spruce, western hemlock, redwood
Bears, elk, deer, beavers, owls, bobcats, weasels, squirrels

21. Northwestern Coniferous Forest
Pacific coast or NW U.S., Canada, N. Ca to Alaska

22. Boreal Forest (Coniferous Forest)/ Taiga
Climate
Characteristic Plants
Characteristic Animals
-25°C to 15°C
10-70 mm precipitation per month
Short, cool summers; long, cold winters; high humidity
Needle leaf coniferous trees – fir, pines, spruce; cone-bearing evergreen shrubs; some deciduous trees
Lynx, timber wolves, weasels, moose, beavers, songbirds, migratory birds

23. Boreal North America, Asia, Northern Europe

24. Tundra Climate Characteristic Plants Characteristic Animals
-30°C to 5°C (barely above freezing)
little precipitation (0-20 mm per month)
permafrost present; strong winds; short and soggy summers, long, cold and dark winters
(small ground-hugging plants) mosses, grasses, shrubs, dwarf trees, lichen, sedges
Migratory waterfowl, shore birds, musk ox, arctic foxes, caribou, lemmings,
insects, wolves, hares, snowy owl,

25. Tundra northern N. America, Asia, Europe