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Land Biomes Biome- geographic areas that have similar climates and ecosystems Biomes are dependent upon : Altitude and latitude Amount of rainfall Because biotic factors change gradually over a landscape…Succession
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Land Biomes The 6 most common biomes are: Tundra Taiga
Temperate Deciduous Forest Tropical Rain Forest Grassland Desert
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Tundra Found in parts of Canada, Alaska, and Siberia
At latitudes around the North Pole “The Land of the Midnight Sun” Winter lasts 6 to 9 months with no daylight Summer is short and cold with 24 hours of sunlight a day “The Cold Desert” Less than 25 cm precipitation yearly Very cold year round (-40ºC in winter) Cold, dry, treeless region
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Tundra- Soil is poor Permafrost Layer of permanently frozen soil
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Plants of the Tundra Tundra plants are resistant to drought and cold. They are small and live close to the ground. Examples: Lichens True mosses Small shrubs and flowers
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Animals of the Tundra Caribou Musk oxen Polar bears
Many animals of the tundra hibernate during the winter or have thick fur to keep them insulated. Examples: Biting insects Snowy owls Arctic hares Caribou Musk oxen Polar bears
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Taiga or Coniferous Forest
Found in parts of Canada, Alaska, and Russia Between 50°N and 60°N World’s largest land biome Summers are short and mild Winters are long and cold 35 to 40 cm of precipitation yearly (mostly snow)
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Plants of the Taiga Because of the short summer, plants of the taiga are mostly evergreen trees. There cone shape helps shed excess snow in winter and needles help keep them warm and lose less water. Examples: Cone-bearing Evergreen trees: Firs Spruces Pines
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Animals of the Taiga Wolves Wolverines Beaver
Many animals that live in the taiga have thick fur and hibernate during the winter or migrate south. Examples: Moose Black bears Lynx Wolves Wolverines Beaver
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Temperate Deciduous Forest
Found in Europe, the eastern part of the U.S.A., and China Found below 50ºN latitude 75 to 150 cm precipitation yearly Wide range of temperatures with 4 seasons Below freezing in winter to 30ºC in summer Soil is rich in nutrients from layers of decomposing leaves
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Life in the Temperate Deciduous Forest
The mild climate and rich soil of the temperate deciduous forest supports a wide variety of plant and animal life.
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Plants of the Temperate Deciduous Forest
Plants in the deciduous forest lose their leaves in order to prevent water loss during cold months. Examples: Oak trees Birch trees Maple trees Shrubs Wildflowers Ferns
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Animals of the Temperate Deciduous Forest
Animals must adapt to changing temperatures. They often hibernate, migrate, or remain active during the winter months Examples: Deer Fox Snakes Bears Birds Insects Raccoons Skunks Rabbits
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Chaparral Found on the west coast of North America, South Africa, Australia, and coastal Mediterranean areas. Temperature ranges from 10ºC to 40ºC Winters are cool and rainy Summers are hot and dry with very little rain Is the smallest biome Located 30º to 40º latitude Dominated by small dense shrubs
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Chaparral Most of the rainfall occurs during winter
Droughts are common in the summer 10 to 20 cm precipitation yearly Forest fires are common and help stimulate seed germination Without forest fires many plants would not reproduce
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Plants of the Chaparral
Chaparral plants are adapted to drought conditions and frequent forest fires. Their leaves are small, hard, and have a waxy coating. They also have a shallow root system. Examples: Scrub Oak Yucca Toyon Black Sage
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Animals of the Chaparral
Chaparral animals small and are adapted to drought conditions and frequent forest fires. Examples: Coyotes Hawks Lizards Mice Snakes Small Birds
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Tropical Rain Forest Found near the equator in Africa, South America, Australia, and the Pacific Islands Found near the equator 200 to 225 cm precipitation yearly Hot and humid all year Temperatures are fairly constant around 25ºC
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Life in the Tropical Rain Forest
The tropical rain forest is a lush, productive ecosystem containing more than half of all the species that live on Earth.
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Tropical Rain Forest Soil is nutrient poor and acidic
Most plants have shallow roots and large leaves. Many leaves have drip-tips or grooves to easily get rid of excess water
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Plants of the Tropical Rain Forest
A rain forest may contain more than 700 species of trees and over 1000 species of flowering plants. Examples: Mahogany trees Bromeliads and orchids Lianas (large vines) Giant ferns and many flowering plants
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Animals of the Tropical Rain Forest
The rain forest is home to a huge number of animals. They are brightly colored and have adapted to life in and among trees. Examples: Monkeys Exotic birds Frogs Snakes Sloths Bats Insects Large cats Exotic mammals
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Grassland “The Bread Basket of the World”
Grasslands are known by many names. U.S.A. – Prairie or Plains Asia – Steppe South America – Pampas Africa –Veldt or Savanna Australia - Savanna
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Grassland Wet seasons followed by a season of drought
25 to 75 cm precipitation yearly The soil is rich and fertile. The grass has extensive root systems, called sod.
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Plants of the Grassland
Grassland regions of the world are important farming areas. Examples: Wheat Rye Barley Corn
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Animals of the Grassland
The most noticeable animals in grassland ecosystems are usually grazing mammals and they blend in with the tall grass. Examples: Bison Prairie dog Gazelle zebras Wildebeest Elephant Lion
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Desert Found on every continent. The driest biome on Earth
Extreme temperatures- Very hot during the day and cool at night Very little rainfall Less than 25 cm precipitation yearly The soil ranges from gravel to sand. Soil is nutrient poor.
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Plants of the Desert Examples: Cactus Joshua trees Sagebrush Creosote
Desert plants have evolved adaptations to help them survive in the extreme temperatures and dryness of this biome. Plants have thick waxy-coated leaves to prevent water loss and large shallow root systems Examples: Cactus Joshua trees Sagebrush Creosote
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Animals of the Desert Examples: Camels Meerkat Kangaroo Rat Insects
The animals of the desert are adapted to the hot temperatures. They are nocturnal or burrow underground Examples: Camels Meerkat Kangaroo Rat Snakes Insects Lizards Gila Monster Birds
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