biomes of the world all images are a part of the creative commons license of free use
TRANSCRIPT
Main Biomes of the World
Defining Characteristics of a Biome1.Precipitation/Rainfall - average in a year2.Climate – The average temperature in a yearly period.
Types of BiomesDesert; Grassland; Deciduous Forest, Coniferous Forest; Tropical Rainforest; Tundra/Alpine; Aquatic
Tropical Rain Forest• Near the equator
– Central Africa, Central and South America (North of Amazon), India, SE Asia, part of Australia
• More than 200 cm rainfall per year• Warm & wet all year• Roof of rainforest= Canopy: 35 m or taller• Quick Decomposition of organisms• Broadleaf plants, palms, tree ferns, climbing
vines, bromeliads• Bats, lizards, snakes, monkeys, baboons,
toucans, sloths, parrots
Destruction of Tropical Rainforests
• Destroyed at an alarming rate- clear cut and burned for farming
• 200+ cm of rain each year leads to erosion of soil, leaving the land useless within just a few years.
• Extinction of thousands of species
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Tropical Rainforest Deforestation Map
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•The United States has a
Temperate Rainforest
• this means that the level of precipitation is over 200 cm per year
•but the temperature is cool, creating the temperate effect
•This rainforest is found in the states Oregon and Washington
Desert
• Less than 25 cm of rain per year• Extremely dry• Sand storms, sand dunes• Cactus, fleshy plants, succulents,
grasses, small-leaved shrubs, tumbleweeds
• Lizards, snakes, small rodents, camels, sidewinders, coyote, desert tortoise, desert hare, desert toad, beetles
Desert Consumer
s
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Deciduous Forest
• More than 75 cm of rain per year• Moist with cold winters and warm
summers• Broadleaf deciduous trees (elms,
maples, oaks) – trees lose leaves• Raccoons, squirrels, small birds, deer
Coniferous Forest
• More than 50 cm of rainfall per year• Cool and moist on mountains• Mild winters & heavy rainfalls in
coastal areas• Conifers have waxy coatings• Cedars, hemlocks, pines, redwood• Bears, mountain lions, wolves, birds,
elk
Tundra and Alpine Regions
• ~20 cm of rain per year• Extremely cold and dry• Lichen, shrubs, grass-like plants• Arctic foxes, arctic hare, polar bears,
grizzly bears, lemmings, wolves, migratory birds, mountain lions, mountain goats, alpaca, llamas, caribou
Tundra and Alpine Terminology
• Permafrost – soil that is permanently frozen 3-4 inches down; keeps plant life from growing deep roots
• Altitude – moving up a mountainside – the air thins out and causes a change in climate
• North/South Poles – these areas experience extended periods of sunlight or twilight depending on the season
Grasslands
• Other names – Savannah; Plains; Prairie; Pampas; Steppes; Veldt
• Between 25 – 75 cm of rain each year• Mild temperatures; dry and rainy
seasons• Acacia, grasses, herbaceous plants• Antelopes, buffalo, wolves, coyotes,
hyenas, lions, zebra, rhinoceros, hippopotamus
Aquatic
• Fresh Water and Salt Water • Ponds, lakes, rivers, coastal areas,
oceans• Seaweed, sea grass• Squid, dolphins, sharks, whales, seals,
walrus, penguins, octopus, crocodiles, alligators, turtles, oysters, clams, shrimp, pelicans, fish, seagulls, manatees