Climatogram:  A graph of monthly measurements of temperature and precipitation for a given area during a year Biome:  A large terrestrial region with a defining climate that supports plants and animals with specific adaptations Definitions:

Biome Map: QQ 1 – Looking at the map, which biome do you think is the driest? The wettest? The coldest? The warmest?

Tundra:  Located above the arctic circle and at very high altitudes  Cold, dry winters (permafrost)  Short, intense, busy summers  Nearly treeless, covered by mosses, lichens and grasses  Most animals are migratory or well adapted to cold climate

Taiga:  Located just south the arctic circle; common in mountain regions  Cold, snowy winters; Longer and warmer summers than tundra  Mainly 2 vegetation layers: coniferous trees (evergreen and cone- bearing) and mosses  Animals include deer, elk, moose, squirrels, beaver, wolves, bears etc.

Temperate Deciduous Forest:  Moderate temperatures and precipitation  Warm summers, cool winters with 4 distinct seasons  Up to 5 vegetation layers: deciduous trees are common (broad, flat leaves that shed annually) as well as mosses, herbs and shrubs  Animals include insects, squirrels, birds, deer, bears, fox etc.

Tropical Rainforest:  Constant warm temperatures with no distinct seasons  Heavy rainfall throughout the year  Plants are abundant and diverse, competing for sunlight  Animals are unique, diverse and adapted to a life in the trees: monkeys, insects, reptiles, amphibians, birds etc.

Chaparral:  Found near coasts due to off-shore circulation of cool ocean water  Browsers and predators are common and animals include birds, mountain lions, mule deer, ground squirrels, reptiles etc.  Plants include dense evergreen shrubs, grasses, some deciduous plants and annuals adapted to survive fire and summer drought  Hot, dry summers; cool, wet winters  Fires and drought are possible Santa Monica, CA

Grassland and Savannah:  Grassland serves as a transition between desert and forest  Savannah is a transition between grassland and forest  Extreme climatic conditions and fluctuations in temperature and precipitation  Dry and windy; fires are common  Mainly grasses with some shrubs and scattered trees  Animals include mostly grazers and predators

Desert:  Temperatures vary from hot to cold  Precipitation is very low  Vegetation is sparse and plants are adapted to use water efficiently  Only a few large animals exist and include camels and big horn sheep  Other animals include rodents and reptiles who are adapted to life in low water conditions

QQ2 – Think about your earlier predictions. What biome is driest? Wettest? Coldest? Warmest? Were your predictions correct? QQ3 – In what biome is Mill Valley?