1. Biomes
Living Environment

2. Objectives
I can define the term biome.
I can identify the characteristics of major land biomes.

3. What is a biome?
A biome is a large geographic area with the same climate and similar plants and animals.

4. Tropical Rain Forest Hot and wet year-round Nutrient-poor soil
Great biodiversity (many different living organisms)
Near the equator

5. Grassland/Savanna Hot, dry summers and colder winters Fertile soils
Dominant plants are grasses

6. Temperate Deciduous Forest
Warm summers and cold winters
Adequate precipitation
Dominant plants are broadleaf deciduous trees

7. Taiga/Boreal Forest Short, mild summers and long, cold winters
Adequate precipitation
Dominant plants are coniferous trees

8. Tundra Short, wet summers and very long, cold winters
Low precipitation
Permafrost – layer of permanently frozen subsoil
Dominant plants are mosses and lichens

9. Desert Very low precipitation Variable temperatures
Dominant plants are cacti and other succulents

10. CFU What two major abiotic factors affect the distribution of biomes?
What biome do we live in?
Which biome has the most biodiversity?
Summarize variations in climate among three major biomes as you travel north from the equator toward the North Pole.