Download Biomes of the World

Biomes of the World
Objective 1.01 Describe and compare several common ecosystems
(communities of organisms and their interaction with the environment).
Biomes are large geographic areas with similar climates and ecosystems;
includes tundra, taiga, desert, temperate deciduous forest, temperate rain forest,
tropical rain forest, and grassland.
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There is a debate about number of biomes among scientists.
Tundra
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The tundra is a cold, dry, treeless region, sometimes called a cold desert.
Receives little annual precipitation.
Winters in the Arctic can be six to nine months long.
The most distinctive characteristic of tundra soil is permafrost, a
permanently frozen layer of ground.
Tundra Life:
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Tundra plants are adapted to drought and cold. Ex:) lichens, mosses,
grasses, and small shrubs.
There are many biting insects.
Migratory birds such as ducks and geese.
Other inhabitants include hawks, snowy owls, mice, hares, reindeer, and
musk oxen.
Taiga
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The taiga is a cold, forest region dominated by cone-bearing evergreen
trees.
The taiga is warmer and wetter than the tundra.
Moose, lynx, shrews, bears, and foxes are some of the animals that live in
the taiga.
Temperate Deciduous Forests
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Temperate regions usually have four distinct seasons each year.
In autumn, the leaves on deciduous trees change color and fall to the
ground.
Forests provide food and shelter for many animals.
Animals that live in forests use the trees and underlying plants as food or
shelter. Deer, hawks, mountain lions, raccoons, and foxes are all able to
live in the same ecosystem because they each have different needs. This
helps to maintain the balance in their environment.
Temperate Rain Forests
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The average temperature ranges from 9°C to 12°C. Precipitation ranges
from 200 cm to 400 cm per year.
Trees with needlelike leaves dominate these forests.
Animals include the black bear, cougar, bobcat, and northern spotted owl.
Tropical Rain Forests
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Warm temperatures, wet
weather, and lush plant growth.
Soil contains little dead vegetation.
Forests are warm because they are near the equator.
Home to one of the most biologically diverse places in the world.
4 zones: forest floor, understory, canopy, and emergent's.
1. Forest Floor - This is the ground layer made up of tree roots, soil and
decaying matter.
2. Understory - The lower layer of plants and shrubs in a forest
ecosystem.
3. Canopy - The forest cover of branches and foliage formed by tree
crowns.
4. Emergent’s - The uppermost layer of the rainforest also known as the
Dominants. This fourth layer consisting of the tops of the
tallest trees.
An average of 50 to 260 inches of rain falls yearly.
Rainforests cover less than 6% of the Earth’s land surface, but produce
40% of the Earth’s oxygen. About one-fourth of the medicine we use
comes from rainforest plants.
Many species of animals such as sloths, monkeys, and jaguars live in the
rainforest. Mammals and birds have adapted to a life in the trees. Many
have bright colors, loud vocal calls, and live on fruits. Reptiles such as boa
constrictors and anacondas also thrive in this area.
Insects are the largest group that lives in the rainforest.
Desert
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The biome that receives the least amount of rainfall each year.
The driest biome on Earth.
Desert plants are spaced far apart and much of the ground is bare.
In order to provide water for desert cities, rivers and streams have been
diverted. When this happens, wildlife tends to move closer to cities in their
search for food and water.
Grasslands
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Temperate and tropical regions with 25 cm to 75 cm of precipitation each
year that are dominated by climax communities of grasses; ideal for
growing crops (like corn) and raising cattle and sheep.
Animal Types: Usually mammals that graze on the stems, leaves, and
seeds of grass plants.