Biomes Land Biomes

Biomes A large geographic area that has a specific climate (av. rainfall and temp.)

Tundra: Location Belt of land across northern North America, Europe, Asia, and top of mountains

Tundra Less than 25cm of precipitation each year Less than 1m deep, ground is frozen –Permafrost Boggy is summer when ground thaws Temperature range: -30 degrees to 50 degrees F World map of Tundra Biomes

Tundra: Vegetation Virtually treeless Dominated by herbaceous plants, mosses and lichens Grow close to the ground to help them survive icy winds

Tundra: Animal Life Large hoofed mammals Small rodents Some predators Migratory birds –During 2 months of summer

Taiga Mostly in northern North America and northern Eurasia World map of Taiga Biome

Taiga Coniferous forest Limited precipitation (20 to 60 cm) mostly in summer Ground is covered with a thick layer of needles and dead twigs, matted together by fungus Temperature range: -65 degrees to 70 degrees F

Vegetation Evergreen trees with small compact leaves protected by a thick covering to prevent water loss No annual plants

Taiga: Animal Life Large and small mammals Adaptations to survive winter Heavy fur coats and/or hibernation are common

Temperate (Deciduous) Forest North America, Europe, Australia, and eastern Asia Word map of Temperatre Deciduous Forest

Temperate Forest Relatively warm summers and relatively cold winters 75 to 250 cm precipitation per year spread throughout the year Rich topsoil composed of decomposing organic material Average temperature is 50 degrees F

Temperate Forest: Vegetation Large trees - canopy Bushes / shrubs / ferns Annuals / Perennials

Temperate Forest: Animals Variety of mammals Birds

Chaparral Western North America and Mediterranean World Map of Chaparra Biome

Chaparral Mild, rainy winters Long, hot, dry summers Temperature range is 30 degrees to 100 degrees F

Chaparral: Vegetation Small trees and spiny shrubs with broad, thick evergreen leaves

Chaparral: Animal Life Large herbivores move into the chaparral in the spring and out to cooler areas in the summer Animals that stay are usually small and dull colored

Grasslands North America (plains and prairies), Russia (steppes), South Africa (veldt), and Argentina (pampas) World Map of Grasslands Biome

Grasslands Rich agricultural lands Periodic droughts, hot-cold seasons Rolling flat terrain 10 to 60 cm of rain per year Warm and wet spring followed by scorching, dry summers Cold and snowy winters Temperature range is -40 degrees F to 70 degrees F

Grasslands: Vegetation Mostly sod-forming grasses mixed with legumes and various annuals

Grasslands: Animal Life Small, seed-eating rodents Large herbivores and carnivores

Savanna Central Africa and South America World map of Savanna Biome

Savanna Area of reduced annual precipitation Transition between tropical rain forest and desert cm of rainfall each year Wide fluctuation in temperature Seasonal drought Fine, sandy soil Temperature range is 68 degrees to 86 degrees

Savanna: Vegetation Mostly grasses with dense root systems that can withstand extensive dry periods Few trees that die during drought

Savanna: Animal Life Mammals Herbivores –Capable of extracting nutrients from the cellulose-rich grasses –Ability to be warned of and flee from predators Carnivores –adaptations to allow them to catch herbivores efficiently

Savanna: Animal Life

Tropical Rainforest South America in and around the Amazon Basin, in West Africa and in Southeast Asia, and equatorial regions World Map of Tropical Rainforest Biome

Tropical Rainforest Richest biomes in terms of numbers of species (1/2 world’s land organisms) Rainfall of 200 to 450 centimeters per year Length of the day varies by less than one hour Temperature range is 68 degrees F to 93 degrees F

Rainforest: Vegetation Tall trees form high canopy of large, leathery leaves Variety of flowers Woody vines appear in open spaces Ferns, orchids, mosses –Adapted to grow at low light intensities

Rainforest: Vegetation

Rainforest: Animal Life Large numbers of insects and tree-living vertebrates Birds, primates, large and small mammals and reptiles

Desert Interiors of continents, especially Africa, Eurasia, and Australia

Desert Less than 25 cm of rainfall per year Occur between 20º to 30º north and south latitude Warm days but cold nights Average temperature is 64 degrees F World Map of Desert Biome

Desert: Vegetation Mostly annuals –Seed to flower in the short period of time when water is present Perennials –Adapted for water storage with no leaves or leaves that are small and leathery All have extensive root systems –Trap water during periods when it is available

Desert: Vegetation

Desert: Animal Life Reptiles and insects have waterproof outer coverings and water-conserving excretions Mammals are nocturnal with the ability to extract water from plants

Desert: Animals