Biomes Units 6

What is a Biome? Large region characterized by specific communities of plants and animals. Determined by climate and geography. Made up of individual ecosystems Major biomes: deserts, forests, grasslands, tundra, and aquatic environments.

Biomes and Vegetation Described by vegetation (plants determine the other organisms that can live in an area). Plants have specialized adaptations that allow for survival. -adaptations include size, shape, and color.

The World’s Major Terrestrial Biomes

Biomes and Climate Climate: average weather conditions in an area over a long period of time. -main factor is determining which plants can grow in a certain area. Temperature and precipitation: the two most important factors that determine a region’s climate.

Temperature and Precipitation Organisms are adapted to live within a range of temperatures. Precipitation limits the organisms found in a biome because all organisms need water.

Weather versus Climate NASA Explains

Latitude and Altitude Latitude: distance north or south from the equator, and is expressed in degrees. Altitude: height of an object above a sea level or the Earth’s surface. Climate varies with latitude and altitude. (For example, climate gets colder as latitude and altitude increase. This is why it gets colder as you move further up a mountain).

Rainforest Strata