1. Biomes
Unit B, Chapter 3, Lesson 1

2. Climate and Climate Zones
Climate is the weather around you. It includes factors such as temperature, rainfall, and the amount of sunlight.
What is climate? Climate zones are the regions in which you live. What are the characteristics of our climate zone?
Wind patterns, landforms, and proximity to water determine climate zones.

3. What are Biomes?
Biome : a large scale ecosystem Its climate and the plants and animals that are adapted to living in that climate are what make each biome different from the next.

4. Earth has 6 major types of biomes:
Tropical Rain Forest
Deciduous Forest
Grassland
Desert
Taiga
Tundra
Earth has 6 major
types of biomes:

5. Tropical Rain Forest Climate: strong sunlight; warm
wet climate; receives direct
sunlight all year round,
temperatures are always warm
Three layers: upper layer,
canopy, forest floor
Animals: reptiles, amphibians,
mammals, insects, fish, and birds
Plants: strong sunlight and warm
temperatures make ideal growing
conditions
Tropical Rain Forests contain
about ½ of all Earth’s plants

6. Deciduous Forest Climate: warm temperatures
in the spring and summer allow
plants to grow
In the winter, temps often
fall below freezing
Various amounts of sunlight
at different times of the year
Moderate rainfall 
Animals: Rabbits, skunk, deer,
chipmunks, squirrels, toads,
salamanders, foxes,
coyotes, hawks and snakes.
Plants: mosses, lichens and ferns;
Oak, maple and hickory trees

7. Grasslands Climate: rainfall is light and the temperature is moderate
Grasslands are dry
Animals: small animals such as
gophers, rabbits, badgers,
prairie dogs, snakes, rats, mice.
Herds of large herbivores: deer,
bison and pronghorn.
The burrowing owl also lives here
Plants: Tall grasses, rice, wheat,
corn and grain, few trees
Grasses have several adaptations
that help them live without much rain

8. Deserts Climate: little rain, dirt and air are dry
At night the temps can drop
below freezing; very hot
during the day
Animals: reptiles (snakes and lizards)
tortoises, jack rabbits, owls,
birds, rodents, and young mammals
Plants: cactus, desert bushes

9. Taiga Plants: evergreen trees, deciduous trees, mosses, lichens,
Climate: cool nights, sunny days,
cool breezes, crisp autumns,
and freezing winters.
Animals: owls, woodpeckers,
warblers, lynx, mice, wolves and bears.
Porcupines, hares, mosquitoes, flies, and
weasels.
Plants: evergreen trees,
deciduous trees, mosses, lichens,
hemlocks, pines, fir and spruce trees

10. Tundra Climate: low temp, long winters. Dramatic season changes due
to distance from the equator
Summer shines all the time in the
winter, allowing plants to grow
Permafrost: frozen soil 
Animals: artic fox, hare, birds,
caribou, muskrats, grizzly bears,
musk ox
Plants: smaller plants with roots,
few trees, larger plants.
Hard to survive in Tundra climate

11. Tropical Rain Forests in Central America
Deciduous Forests of North America
Tundra in Russia
Taiga in
Finland
Tropical Rain Forests in Central America
Grasslands in South Africa
Deserts in Australia

12. How will I use this info??
You will be writing a research paper on a biome of your choice (all choices must be cleared by Miss Stephens).
Paper Guidelines:
All papers will be a minimum of 5 paragraphs
Writing must be your own (plagiarism)
All sources must be cited
A rubric will be given
Project Timeline:
Introduction (1 day)
Research & Note taking (2 days)
Drafting (1 day)
Typing Drafts (1 day)
Writer’s workshop (1day)