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biology
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4-3 Biomes
Photo Credit: ©Michael Fogden/DRK PHOTO
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Biomes
A biome is a complex of terrestrial communities that covers a large area and is characterized by certain soil and climate conditions and particular assemblages of plants and animals.
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The Major Biomes
The Major Biomes
The world's major biomes include:
tropical rain forest
tropical dry forest
tropical savanna
desert
temperate grassland
temperate woodland and shrubland
temperate forest
northwestern coniferous forest
boreal forest
tundra
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The Major Biomes
Biomes are defined by a unique set of abiotic factors—particularly climate— and a characteristic assemblage of plants and animals.
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The Major Biomes
60°N
30°N
0° Equator
30°S
60°S
Tropical rain forest
Temperate grassland
This map shows the locations of the world’s major biomes. Other parts of Earth’s surface are classified as mountains or ice caps. Each biome has a characteristic climate and community of organisms.
Temperate forest
Northwestern coniferous forest
Tropical dry forest
Desert
Temperate woodland and shrubland
Boreal forest (Taiga)
Tropical savanna
Tundra
Mountains and ice caps
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Other Land Areas
Other Land Areas
Mountain ranges and polar icecaps do not fit neatly into any of Earth’s major biomes.
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Other Land Areas
Mountain Ranges
Abiotic and biotic conditions vary with elevation.
Temperatures become colder as you move from base to summit.
The amount of precipitation increases as you move from base to summit.
Plants and animals also change, adapting to the changing environment.
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Other Land Areas
Polar Ice Caps
The polar regions are cold all year round.
In the north polar region, the Artic Ocean is covered with sea ice and a thick ice cap.
Dominant organisms include mosses, lichens, polar bears, seals, insects, and mites.
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4-3
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4-3
When the climate in a small region of a biome is different from the overall climate of the biome, the region’s climate is called
tolerance.
a harsher climate.
a microclimate.
a local variation.
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4-3
The ability of an organism to survive under conditions that differ from its optimal condition is called
niche.
tolerance.
variation.
succession.
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4-3
Which of the following biomes is characterized by less than 25 centimeters of annual precipitation?
tropical savanna
desert
boreal forest
temperate grassland
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4-3
Which of the following biomes is characterized by a mixture of deciduous and coniferous trees?
temperate woodland and shrubland
boreal forest
temperate forest
tropical dry forest
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4-3
Which of the following biomes is characterized by the presence of permafrost?
boreal forest
temperate grassland
northwestern coniferous forest
tundra
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16. END OF SECTION