1. The Earth’s Biomes

2. What’s a BIOME?
-a BIOME is a certain area of the
earth which is characterized by
the same types of life forms and
climate.
Example: The Rainforest Biome,
the Desert Biome, etc.

3. One of the main differences between
biomes is the amount of precipitation
they receive.
The Tundra actually receives less
precipitation than the Desert Biome.

5. Tundra Biome

6. The Tundra Biome climate
is characterized by:
-Very low annual precipitation
(less than 12 cm/year)
-Extremely cold temperatures in
winter.
-Short summers and growing
seasons.

7. The Tundra is also characterized by PERMAFROST, which is a lower
layer of soil which remains
permanently frozen.
Soil Surface
Permafrost

9. Tundra Biome Life
Producers: moss, lichens, stunted
shrubs and bushes, over 400 kinds
of flowers.
Consumers: many types of birds,
large animals such as caribou and
musk ox, Polar bears,many insects
in summer.

10. Caribou
Yellow Tundra Flower
Polar Bear
Ptarmigan
Musk-ox

11. Human Impact on the Tundra
-disruption of the vegetation leaves
deep scars that may never heal (paths,
vehicle tracks, etc.)
-disruption of migratory patterns by
pipelines, roads, fences
-removal of the top layer of soil
causes permafrost to melt.

12. The Taiga Biome

13. The Taiga Climate:
-Only a moderate amount of rainfall
per year, but low evaporation rates,
so the soil is fairly moist.
-Temperatures can get very cold, but
summers are longer than in the
Tundra.

14. -No permafrost, so trees can grow.

15. Taiga Biome Life
Producers: Coniferous trees, such as
spruce and pine, moss, many shrubs
and bushes, grasses in open areas.

16. Consumers: -Bears, squirrels,birds, fish, beaver,
porcupine, moose, wolves, rabbits

18. Crossbills: A Unique Taiga Resident
Crossbills have adapted
a special beak that allows
them to open and eat
conifer seeds.
The ends are crossed, and
force open the closed seed cones,
allowing access to the seed inside.

19. Human Impact on the Taiga
-The biggest impact on the taiga
comes from the cutting of trees for
lumber, and especially paper.

20. The most common way of harvesting
trees is called “clear-cutting” A great
deal of erosion is caused when the
vegetation is totally removed.

21. From this…………….to this,
and most of it is to make paper!