Region of the biosphere that has similar communities and climate.

LAND BIOMES OF THE WORLD

Desert Biomes LAND BIOMES:

LOCATION: CLIMATE: COMMON PLANTS: COMMON ANIMALS: ADAPTATIONS: Near 30º north and 30º south latitudes CLIMATE: Less than 25 cm of rainfall per year, temperatures high during the day and cool at night COMMON PLANTS: Cacti, thorny bushes and shrubs, small flowering plants COMMON ANIMALS: Snakes, lizards, kangaroos, rats, roadrunners ADAPTATIONS: Plants can store water in their stems; desert animals are usually active at night (nocturnal) & avoid heat & water loss by burrowing in the ground

Biomes: Desert Location

GRASSLAND BIOMES

(Tropical/Subtropical Grassland) Savanna (Tropical/Subtropical Grassland)

LOCATION: CLIMATE: COMMON PLANTS: COMMON ANIMALS ADAPTATIONS: Mid-latitudes CLIMATE: Irregular rainfall averaging 50 cm per year, long hot summers, cold winters COMMON PLANTS: Tall and short grasses, few trees COMMON ANIMALS Prairie dogs, coyotes, jack rabbits, ground squirrels, burrowing owls, bisons, elk, prong-horns ADAPTATIONS: Grazing animals have flat teeth for grinding grasses.

Biomes: Grassland Location

Tundra

COMMON ANIMALS: ADAPTATIONS: LOCATION: CLIMATE: COMMON PLANTS: Northern latitudes CLIMATE: Less than 37 cm of rainfall per year, wind, temperatures below 40ºC, summer temperatures reach 10ºC, snow & ice cover the ground most of the time COMMON PLANTS: Grasses, sedges, mosses, lichens COMMON ANIMALS: Musks, oxen, snowy owls, caribous, lemmings, arctic hares, arctic foxes ADAPTATIONS: Many animals camouflage with white fur or feathers caribous migrate to warmer places during the winter

Biomes: Tundra Location

Coniferous (Boreal) Forest (also known as “TAIGA BIOME")

Chaparral (Mediterranean Scrub Forest)

LOCATION: CLIMATE: COMMON PLANTS: COMMON ANIMALS: ADAPTATION: Northern latitudes CLIMATE: From 45 to 125 cm of rainfall per year, depending on the region; short, moderate summers; cold, snowy winters COMMON PLANTS: Pines, firs, hemlocks, spruces COMMON ANIMALS: Moose, black bears, elks, hares, wolves, mountain lions, hawks, red squirrels ADAPTATION: Hoofed mammals have long legs for moving through deep snow; others animals have thick coats; evergreens have waxy leaves to prevent water loss.

Biomes: Taiga Location

Biomes: Deciduous Forest

Deciduous Forest

Temperate Deciduous Forest

LOCATION: Mid-latitudes CLIMATE: 100 cm of rainfall per year, four distinct seasons, including hot, humid summers & cold dry winter COMMON PLANTS: Oaks, maples, beeches, hickories COMMON ANIMALS: White-tail deer, beavers, foxes, bobcats, hawks, racoons ADAPTATIONS: Deciduous trees lose their leaves to reduce water loss in dry winter; some mammals hibernate

Biomes: Deciduous Forest Location

Biomes: Rainforest

Tropical Rainforest

LOCATION: CLIMATE: COMMON PLANTS: COMMON ANIMALS: Near the equator CLIMATE: 200 cm of rainfall per year, high temperature and humidity, no seasons COMMON PLANTS: Tall, broad leafed trees, palm trees, vines, ferns, orchids COMMON ANIMALS: Parrots, toucans, monkeys, snakes, lizards, beetles, termites - arboreal animals ADAPTATION: Many animals are brightly colored; they live in trees for food and protection.

Biomes: Rainforest Location

FRESHWATER Stream River Lakes Ponds

TWO TYPES OF FRESHWATER BIOMES Streams and rivers compose the running water biomes. These biomes have continuously flowing water. Lakes and ponds compose the standing water biomes. The organisms in these biomes live in the different parts of the water. Most of them are found on the edges and shallow portions of the water.

SALTWATER BIOMES

The SALTWATER BIOMES includes the vast seas and oceans. The earth’s largest biomes which covers about 75% of the earth’s surface. FOUR MAJOR OCEANS: Pacific Ocean Atlantic Ocean Indian Ocean Arctic Ocean

ESTUARIES

ESTUARY Mixture of fresh water and salt water. The most productive water biomes because it is very rich in nutrients. It is a good hatching and developing ground for many kinds of fish.

Freshwater - lakes, ponds, rivers, streams Marine - oceans Saltwater Aquatic Biomes