BIOMES

Tropical Rain Forests Amazon in South America Located within 10 degrees of the equator Warm temperatures and heavy rainfall Rain exceedes evaporation during all months Little light reaches the ground: blocked by tree canopy-> restricted plant growth on ground

Tropical Dry Forests Located between degrees north or south of equator Hot temperatures and abundant rainfall (1-2 meters per year) Rainfall highly seasonal: 6-7 month rainy season – June in Northern Hem – Dec in Southern Hem

Tropical Dry Forest Cont Animals migrate in during wet season, and out for dry Trees roots are structured to be able to hold a large amount of water (necessary during deficit in dry season)

Tropical Savannas Elephants, Lions, Zebras Located degrees north and south of equator Warm temperatures and less rainfall More extreme seasonality of rainfall than tropical dry forests Shorter rainy season, longer dry season Grassy, with wide scattered trees

Tropical Savannas Grasses “green up” during rainy season, and “brown” during dry Start of rainy season: lightening might strike causing fires due to dry dead grass Grazers- Antelopes and wildebeest

Deserts Sahara Desert (Africa) & Death Valley (Mojave desert) Located near 30 degrees north and south of equator….WHY???? Lack of water causes minimal vegetation (cacti) Cacti- round (reduce surface area),spines (loose less water than leaves)

Mediterranean Woodland and Shrubland Los Angeles Found between degrees north or south of equator Mild winters and hot summers Little precipitation during summer -> increase risk of forest fires in summer Most trees are evergreen, with thick bark Animals spend most of their day underground: snakes, rabbits, foxes

Temperate Grasslands Great Plains Located in the middle of the continent: hot summers and cool winters Grasses survive forest fires by growing from areas below surface Rich soil & lush grass-> herds of grazers; consume up to 50 %

Temperate Forests Northern California: large sequoias Covers much of the east coast of N. Amer Found between degrees north or south of the equator Short growing season Deciduous trees: drop leaves in fall, regrow in spring Animals hibernate/migrate in winter due to cold temperatures

Boreal Forests Found at high latitudes (50-60 degrees north or south of equator) Can have 100 degree Celsius difference between highest and lowest temperatures Spruce trees common Caribou, reindeer, moose, wolves, Siberian tigers, grizzly bears and birds.

Tundra Northern edge of Northern Hemisphere Low lying plants: mosses, lichens, grasses Covered by snow much of the year Permafrost: any soil material that remains below freezing for two or more years