1. Terrestrial Biomes

2. Biomes- Community in a food web all adapted to particular abiotic conditions. So, the abiotic factors determine the biome!
Major Terrestrial Biomes:
Tundra
Taiga
Temp Deciduous Forest
Tropical Grasslands
Temperate Grasslands
Tropical Rainforests
Chapparal
Desert

3. Abiotic factors determine biomes
Terrestrial Biomes
Latitude- Earth/sun
relationship; angle of
rays; # daylight hrs
Global atmospheric circulation
Global ocean circulation
Coastal/Continental
Topography- Elevation

4. Biome Vegetation Temperature & Precipitation

5. Biome Vegetation, Latitude, and Altitude
Latitude: Distance north or south of the equator measured in degrees
Altitude: Height of an object above sea level

6. Terrestrial Biomes Map

7. Tundra Northern Arctic Pole regions Long, cold winters
Little precipitation
Short growing season
Treeless w/mosses, lichens, shrubs
Permafrost
Bogs in summer
Musk Oxen, Snowy Owls, arctic foxes, caribou, migratory birds, insects

8. Taiga Boreal Forest Northern Europe, Asia and N.America Largest biome
Cold w/long winters & high snowfall
Summers bring nearly constant daylight
Coniferous Forest
Moose, Bear, Wolves,
Snowshoe Hare

9. Temperate Deciduous Forest
North Eastern US, Western Europe, Eastern Asia
Extreme temp differences between winter & summer
4 distinct seasons
Trees lose their leaves
Birch, beech, maple, oak
Deer, fox, coyote, chipmunks/squirrels

10. Tropical Grasslands (Savannas)
Central S.America, Central Africa, N.Australia, India
Wet & dry seasons, but warm year round
Scattered trees, grasses, shrubs
Giraffe, zebra, antelope, lions, hyenas
Plants w/vertical leaves, large horizontal roots, thorns

11. Temperate Grasslands (Prairies/Steppes)
Interior of N. America, S. America, Asia & Africa
Nutrient rich, fertile soils
Slow decay
Hot summers/cold winters
Moderate rain, but not enough to support trees
Tall & short grasses, flowers & herbs w/deep root systems
Drought & Fire
Antelope, bison, owls, prairie
dogs & prairie chickens

12. Tropical Rain Forest
Around the Equator- SE Asia, C & S.America, Africa
Wet, Hot, & Humid
> cm rain/year
Strong sunlight all year
Nutrient poor soils (fast decay)
>1/2 of worlds plant & animal species
Produce 40% of Earth’s oxygen and~1/4 of all medicines
Covers 7% Earths surface
(used to be 20%)

13. Temperate Rain Forest
Pacific NW US (Wa), Central Europe, Australia, New Zealand
High Precipitation & Humidity; Moderate Temps (cool and moist)
Evergreen trees draped in lichens & mosses
Ferns
Frogs, bears, wolves,
red pandas, wombats

14. Chaparral
West coastal regions of the Mediterranean, US, Chile, Africa, Australia
Temperate shrubland
Moisture and temps b/w grasslands and deserts
Dry, coastal climate, little/no rain in summer
Small shrubs w/leathery leaves (water) & oils (fire)
Herbs like Sage and Bay
Animals adapted to both
Quail, lizards, snakes

15. Deserts The Americas, Asia Australia, & Africa
Precipitation (rain) less than 25cm/year
Scattered vegetation & dry
Very hot days, cold nights
Plants & animals adapted for little moisture
Cacti (succulents)
Thorny devil, hawks, tortoise, camels

16. Terrestrial Biomes Self-Check
What is a biome?
What are the major terrestrial biomes?
What are the abiotic factors that dictate terrestrial biomes?

17. Terrestrial Biomes Self-Check Answers
What is a biome? Groups of ecosystems with organisms adapted to particular abiotic factors
2. What are the major terrestrial biomes? Tropical
Rain Forests, Temperate Deciduous Forests,
Taiga, Tropical Grassland, Temperate Grassland,
Chaparral, Deserts, and Tundra
3. What are the abiotic factors that dictate
terrestrial biomes? Latitude, global wind & ocean
currents, proximity to water (coastal or inland),
topography (elevation).

18. Terrestrial Biomes Self-Check
4. Which biome has more nutrient rich soil- Rain
forests or grasslands?
5. What are epiphytes?
6. What two factors help determine the type of
vegetation in an ecosystem?
7. How are tundra and desert biomes similar?
In which biome do plants tend to have the
deepest root systems?
Describe two adaptations animals have to help
them survive in their biome.

19. Terrestrial Biomes Self-Check Answers
4. Which biome has more nutrient rich soil- Rain forests or
grasslands? Grasslands- slow decay returning nutrients
to the soil
5. What are epiphytes? Plants that use the surface of a
tree to grow.
What two factors help determine the type of vegetation
in an ecosystem? Temperature & Precipitation
How are tundra and desert biomes similar? Low Precipitation
8. In which biome do plants tend to have the deepest root
systems? Temperate Grasslands (Tall prairie grasses)
Describe two adaptations animals have to help them
survive in their biome. Camouflage, nocturnal, thick skin,
body armor, long necks & tongues

20. Terrestrial Biomes Self-Check
10. Describe two adaptations plants have to help
them resist drought and fire.
11. Compare and contrast biomes and
ecosystems.
12. As moisture decreases, what happens to
vegetation in a biome?
13. What is the relationship between roots and
erosion?
14. What is permafrost? How does permafrost
contribute to the preservation of animals
remains like mammoths?

21. Terrestrial Biomes Self-Check Answers
10. Describe two adaptations plants have to help them resist drought and fire.
Thick, fleshy leaves, leathery leaves, waxy leaves and deep vertical
roots, dense layers of roots, leaves with oils.
11. Compare and contrast biomes and ecosystems. Biomes are large regions
characterized by particular climate, and types of plants and animals. An
ecosystems is a particular community plus the abiotic factors. Ecosystems
can be groups into biomes.
12. As moisture decreases, what happens to vegetation in a biome?
Direct relationship- So, vegetation decreases as moisture decreases
13. What is the relationship between roots and erosion? Large roots/root
systems hold the soil in place.
14. What is permafrost? How does permafrost contribute to the
preservation of animals remains like mammoths? Permafrost is the layer
of soil in the tundra that remains frozen. Cold temps and frozen ground
of the tundra slows bacterial growth so organisms don’t decompose as
quickly.