Biomes

What is a biome?What is a biome? A large area with similar climate and A large area with similar climate and

soil conditions. soil conditions. 10 terrestrial biomes cover the earth 10 terrestrial biomes cover the earth

from the poles to the equator.from the poles to the equator. 2 aquatic biomes: freshwater and 2 aquatic biomes: freshwater and

ocean ocean Each is defined by temperature, Each is defined by temperature,

precipitation, and the organisms that precipitation, and the organisms that live there.live there.

Tropical rain forestTropical rain forest ClimateClimate: hot & wet : hot & wet

year round, poor year round, poor soilsoil No winterNo winter Average temp. 18Average temp. 18°°CC Rain > 200 cm yearRain > 200 cm year

Life formsLife forms: Large : Large broad-leafed trees, broad-leafed trees, vines, ferns, huge vines, ferns, huge diversity of insects diversity of insects and other animalsand other animals

locationlocation: equatorial : equatorial regions regions

Tropical Tropical savanna savanna (wet & (wet &

dry)dry) ClimateClimate: hot, : hot,

seasonalseasonal rainfall, rainfall, long dry periods, long dry periods, firefire

Life formsLife forms: grasses, : grasses, trees, large trees, large herbivores, big cats herbivores, big cats

locationlocation: Africa, S. : Africa, S. America America

Serengeti plain, Africa

Humid mid-latitude ClimatesHumid mid-latitude Climates

Mild wintersMild winters Average Average

temperature temperature in winter: -in winter: -33°°C to 18C to 18°°CC

Latitude: Latitude: 2525° - 40°° - 40°

Think: which city has the lowest annual rainfall?

Which cities has the lowest average temperature?

North West North West coniferous coniferous forest: forest: Marine west Marine west coast coast

climateclimate

ClimateClimate: mild winters and cool summers, moist, : mild winters and cool summers, moist, warm air from Pacific Ocean, abundant rainfallwarm air from Pacific Ocean, abundant rainfall

Life formsLife forms: redwoods, firs, spruce, bears, elk, : redwoods, firs, spruce, bears, elk, owls, beaversowls, beavers

LocationLocation: NW US and Canada: NW US and Canada

ClimateClimate: strong winter : strong winter rainfall, dry summers rainfall, dry summers

Life formsLife forms: Grasses, : Grasses, evergreen shrubs evergreen shrubs drought tolerant, drought tolerant, deer/ goats, deer/ goats, butterfliesbutterflies

LocationLocation: : Mediterranean, CA Mediterranean, CA

Temperate woodland: Dry Temperate woodland: Dry summer subtropical summer subtropical

Humid sub- tropicalHumid sub- tropical

Climate: Climate: hot humid hot humid summers, summers, mild mild winterswinters

Desert Desert Climate: hot, dry, Climate: hot, dry,

soils rich in mineralssoils rich in minerals Life forms: cacti, Life forms: cacti,

brush, coyotes, brush, coyotes, reptiles, small reptiles, small mammals, birdsmammals, birds

Where: N. America, Where: N. America, N. Africa, Australia, N. Africa, Australia, Chile, middle east, Chile, middle east, N. AsiaN. Asia

Think: which picture was not taken in the USA? How do you know?

Taiga: boreal forestTaiga: boreal forest

Climate: long, cold winters, moderate rainfall

Life forms: evergreen trees, berry bushesLarge mammals, migratory songbirds

Location: North: America, Asia, & Europe

TundrTundraa

Climate: permafrost, frozen subsoil. Long, Climate: permafrost, frozen subsoil. Long, cold winters, short summers < 10cold winters, short summers < 10°°CC

Life forms: mosses, lichens, grasses, caribou, Life forms: mosses, lichens, grasses, caribou, musk ox, fox, small rodents, migratory birdsmusk ox, fox, small rodents, migratory birds

Location: polar regions of North America, Location: polar regions of North America, Asia, & EuropeAsia, & Europe

Summary review1. What abiotic factors influence biomes? How do biotic factors

respond?

2. Do you think different biomes have different limiting factors?

3. How many tropical climates are there?

4. Name a difference between temperate woodland and NW coniferous biomes.

5. What are the 2 driest climates?