Terrestrial Environments Around the World Foss Science – Environments Kit

Biomes Cover large areas of land The same biomes may occur in different parts of the world. Specific types of biomes have a similar climate, soil conditions and average annual rainfall no matter where they occur in the world.

Biome #1 Tropical Rainforest Has more species of life than any other terrestrial environment. Contains 2 million to 20 million species of animals – 80% of life forms in the rainforest haven’t even been identified yet! Located in Australia, Asia, Africa, Central and South America, the Caribbean Islands, and the Pacific Islands. Climate is constantly warm and moist (lots of rainfall!) Trees form a canopy which blocks out light on the forest floor Soil is shallow and not fertile; trees give plants the nutrients they need More animals that live in the rainforest live in the trees than on the ground Rainforests are being destroyed to create farmland and to use the trees for lumber

Biome #2 Temperate Deciduous Forest Have variable climates (change during the year) and deciduous trees that shed their leaves in fall and grow new ones in the spring Animals and plants are able to adapt to changes in heat, moisture and food. Some hibernate, others grow thick coats of fur, and many of the birds migrate south. Receives more rain than any other biome except the rainforest. Soil is very rich and is used for farmland when trees are cleared. Many are found in the Eastern United States.

Biome #3 Savanna Made up of grasslands that have fairly infertile soil Found mostly in the tropics Often have a season of heavy rainfall followed by a season of drought Some areas have trees and tall grasses that grow to be 10 feet high. In other savannas, grass grows in short clumps and there are few trees. Grasses have deep roots. If the area catches on fire, grass above the ground is burned, but the deep roots are protected and allow it to grow back quickly. Wide variety of animal life – zebras, antelope, wildebeests, lions, hyenas, and cheetahs.

Biome #4 Temperate Grassland 25% of the Earth’s land surface Flat or hilly country – cover much of North America Found in the interiors of continents Climate is very dry; summers are hot and winters are often very cold Grassland soil is very rich in nutrients Animals have developed ways to survive in the harsh, extreme conditions

Biome #5 Artic Tundra A cold, dry biome located in the far north just below the polar ice cap. Very low temperatures and little rainfall or snow 20% of the Earth’s land surface is tundra. Soil is permanently frozen – called permafrost. The growing season is short and plants grow slowly; trees don’t grow there Animals adapt to harsh climate conditions of the tundra – polar bears, caribou, ground squirrels, musk oxen Alpine tundra is a biome with conditions similar to the Arctic tundra but are found at the tops of tall mountains all over the world.

Biome #6 Desert Moisture evaporates quicker than rainfall can replace it. Many types of soil and terrain – rocky, sandy, flat or mountainous 20% of Earth’s land surface is desert The hottest places on earth! Fewer plant and animal species live here – have to be able to adapt to the harsh weather conditions Many animals are nocturnal. Plants are found far from one another. They store water in their root systems or stems. Receives very little rainfall per year.