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Biomes
The Six Major Biomes
Introduction to Biomes
 Biome: group of ecosystems with
similar climates and organisms.
 Six Major Biomes
 Desert, rain forest, grassland,
deciduous forest, boreal forest and
tundra.
Deciduous Forests
Rainfall: 3050 inches
Temperature:
82-43°F
Location:
Eastern United States
Canada
Eastern Asia
Europe
Deciduous Forests
 Deciduous trees shed their leaves to save water during the
winter an grow new ones each year.
 Temperatures vary and there is enough rainfall to support
trees and other plants.
 Variety of plants create mix of habitats
Animals: bears, birds, snakes, raccoons, small deer, etc.
Boreal Forests
 Boreal means “northern” and temperatures are low enough
that water is frozen much of the year.
 Most common trees are coniferous trees
 Boreal forest food chain:
Seeds and bark of coniferous trees  red squirrel  wolf
Additional animals: snowshoe hare, moose, beaver, bear, lynx,
great horned owl
Boreal Forests
 Their yearly rainfall is at 14-30 in and they have lower
temperatures than we do. (14-57°F)
Coniferous Forests
Location:
Rocky Mountains
Canada
Alaska
Just south of the
Polar regions
Rain Forest Biomes:
Temperate Rain Forest
 Temperate Rain Forest are further north and much cooler
compared to Tropical Rain Forest
 Moderate temperatures
 Large amounts of rain (300 cm per year)
 Huge trees: Redwoods, cedars,
and firs.
 Variety of plants and animals
Rain Fall averages 158 inches!!!
Temperatures: 93-68°F
Found in the
TROPICS around
the equator-that’s
why its so warm
and humid!
Tropical Rain Forests
 The most biologically diverse and animals live at all different
layers of the forest.
 Some animals live on the forest floor but most live in the
canopy
Plants: Many plant
species provide
habitats for various
animals.
Animals: Millions
of species of
insects serve as
food to reptiles,
birds, and
mammals.
Rainforest Animals and Plants
Banana Tree
Flying Dragon
Bamboo
Orchid
Jungle
Python
Chimp
Temperate Grasslands
Includes grasses and other flowering plants with
very few trees.
Fire and drought are common.
Location:
Africa
Asia
Midwest USA
Rainfall: 10-30 inches
Temperature: 86-32°F
Grasslands support small
herbivores and a few larger
grass eaters.
Animals such as: prairie dogs, bison,
giraffe, emu, elephants, antelopes, zebras,
kangaroos, and gophers
Prairie Dog
Kangaroo
Grassland are also know as
prairies, plains, and savannas.
Bison
Savannas
Rainfall: 59 inches
Temperature: 93-61°F
Location:
Africa
Parts of India
and
South America
Animals like
giraffes, elephants,
zebras, lions and
water buffalo.
A savanna is a
grassland with
scattered
clumps of
trees and
seasonal rains
Savannas
Savannas are
home to large
herbivores
and some
carnivores.
Deserts
Rainfall: Less than 10 inches
Temperature: 100-45°F
 A region that has little or no plant life, long periods without
rain, or extreme temperatures, usually found in hot climates.
 Plants have adaptations to help them hold water- fleshy stems,
thorns for protection, roots grow out instead of down and
growing far apart from one another.
 Animals adaptations :active mostly at night.
Location:
Western USA
North Africa
Asisa
Australia
Desert Plants and Animals
Prickly Pear Cactus
Lappet Face Vulture
Gila Monster
Cactus
Sidewinder
Thorny Devil
Rainfall: 12-20 inches
Temperatures: 54- 15°F
Tundra
 Found near the North and
South Poles and is
extremely cold and dry.
 The layer of soil beneath
the surface stays frozen
ALL the time, called
permafrost.
 Because of this only
shallow rooted plants can
live here.
 Animals like small rodents,
caribou, birds, wolves,
musk ox and insects live
here.
Tundra Plants and Animals
Caribou
Yellow Tundra Flower
Moss
Polar Bear
Cotton Plants
Siberian Lynx
Snow Owl