Biomes contain many ecosystems Section 1.4

Taiga Northern Biome Long winters and short summers Temperature Range -400c to 200c Precipitation 30cm to 60cm per year Evergreen (coniferous) Slow decomposition causes poor soil Insects, birds, squirrels, deer, elk, snowshoe hare and beavers Predators include lynx, owls, bears and wolves

Tundra Northernmost Biome Precipitation below 25cm a year Temperatures range from -500c to 180c Very little evaporation from soil (Permafrost) No trees Mosses, grasses and woody shrubs Lichen Rodents, caribou, musk oxen, grizzly bears, white fox, snowy owls and migratory birds

Desert Middle Latitudes Precipitation below 25cm a year Temperatures range from 00c to 500c No trees Cacti and other plants that require little water Lizard, kangaroo rats, ground squirrel, snakes, owls and fox

Grassland Middle latitudes Precipitation between 50cm and 90cm per year Temperatures 300c in summer and cold winters Nutrient rich soil Few Trees Grasses and wildflowers Wildfire and drought keep shrubs from growing Rodents, bison, wild horses, gazelle, zebra, wolves, tigers and lions

Temperate Forest Precipitation between 75cm and 150cm per year Temperatures range from about -300c to 300c Short winters and long summers Fertile soil from decaying plant matter Decidous trees(oak, birch, beech, maple) Mice, chipmunks, squirrels, raccoon, deer Predators include wolves, bobcat, foxes and mountain lions

Tropical Forest Equitorial Temperature 250c year round Precipitation between 200cm to 450cm per year Poor quality soil due to the abundance of plants Abundant animals Monkeys, birds, insects snakes

Fresh Water Include streams, rivers, ponds and lakes Streams and rivers have running water Algae and plants grow in and around the water Insects, snails, fish, salamander, turtles and frogs Estuary is the transition area between the fresh water and marine biomes.

Marine Saltwater Coastal Ocean, Open Ocean and Deep Ocean Coastal ocean includes the beach and tidal pools Open Ocean has less sunlight and cooler water temperatures. Deep ocean is darker and colder