1. BIOMES What are they? Where are they? How do they differ? What role does climate play?

2. Plants and Biomes Plants are VERY important to ecosystems. Plants are the main pathway by which energy enters ecosystems. The climate in an area determines what plants will survive there. Plants in an area determine which animals live there. There are 6 major terrestrial (land) ecological systems (biomes) and 3 major aquatic biomes.

3. Tundra Near north and south poles. Light rainfall with summer T° only 1°C (34°F). Soil is permanently frozen (permafrost). Many lakes, ponds, and bogs. Grasses present, but only a few small trees. Plants mostly mosses and lichens. Reindeer/caribou, polar bears, wolves, foxes, hares, birds, insects.

5. Coniferous Forest Found above 60°N latitude. Medium rainfall with summer T° around 12°C (54°F). A few lakes, ponds, and bogs. Trees are mostly spruce and fir pines. Very few deciduous trees. Moose, black bears, wolves, wolverines, lynx, porcupines, birds.

7. Deciduous Forest In middle latitudes between 20° and 60° N latitude. Medium rainfall with summer T° around 24°C (75°F). Leaves on trees change colors in autumn. Alabama is in this type biome. Bears, deer, foxes, and squirrels.

9. Grasslands Found in mid-continent areas of middle latitudes; found in areas with warm and cold cycles. Rainfall is generally low, summer T° is 20°C (68°F). Also called savannas. Bison, antelope, zebras, and prairie dogs.

11. Tropical Rain Forest Found near the equator and near mountain ranges. Lots of rain and humidity with summer T° of 25°C (77°F). Tall trees with dense canopies; forest floor doesn’t see much sunlight. Great biodiversity in plants and animals.

13. Deserts Found on either side of the equator between 0° and 20° latitudes. Get little rain and have extreme temperature fluctuations; average summer T° around 30°C (86°F). Very few plants (sagebrush and cacti). Kangaroo rats, snakes, lizards, insects, spiders, and some birds.