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Tundra
It is the youngest of all the biomes, as it only appeared 10,000 years ago. Tundra comes from the
Finnish word “tunturia” which means “barren land” and this is exactly how it looks.
Some physical features of the tundra include a flat layer of permafrost (permanently frozen soil), poor
drainage and marshy in summer, 24 h daylight in the summer and 24 h darkness in the winter.
Tundra biomes are located in the green areas on the map below. Notice that it only exists from 60° to 70°
North latitude (or at higher locations).
Plants of the Tundra
Some common plant species found in the tundra are displayed at this station. List some of them on your
worksheet. Plants in the tundra have special adaptations for survival.
(caribou moss)
Plant Adaptations:
There are no trees on the tundra as their roots can’t penetrate the
permanently frozen layer of soil.
Plants grow close to ground so they can absorb warmth and be
sheltered.
Some plants have fuzzy coverings to protect them from wind.
Shrubs flower quickly in the spring.
Some plants keep old leaves for protection and to conserve nutrients.
(Labrador tea)
Animals of the Tundra
Some common animal species found in the tundra are displayed at this station. List some of them on
your worksheet.
(mosquito)
(caribou)
(Arctic Fox)
Animal Adaptations:
Animals may grow more slowly and reproduce less often on the tundra.
Arctic foxes and hares have compact bodies and shorter legs and ears to reduce heat loss.
The snowy owl has white colouring to blend in with surroundings.
Birds migrate here in summer to eat the many insects.
Caribou migrate away in winter to find food sources.
Boreal Forest
The boreal forest, also known as the Taiga, is the largest biome in Canada and in the world.
This biome is located just below the tundra and is known for its cold winters and coniferous
trees.
Plants of the Boreal Forest
Some common plant species found in the boreal forest are displayed at this station. List some of them
on your worksheet. Plants in the boreal have special adaptations for survival.
(Douglas fir)
(Blue spruce)
(Indian paintbrush)
Plant Adaptations
Trees are mostly coniferous (have needles instead of leaves)
Their waxy needles resist water loss and allow snow to slide off
Little light reaches forest floor.
Animals of the Boreal Forest
Some common animal species found in the boreal forest are displayed at this station. List some of them
on your worksheet.
(Lynx and snowshoe hare)
(great grey owl)
(black bear)
Animal Adaptations
Insect-eating birds migrate south in fall, seedeaters stay year-round
Mammals have thick insulating coats
Insects multiply rapidly
Snowshoe hares change fur from summer brown to winter white
Temperate Deciduous Forest
The term deciduous refers to the types of trees that are common in this biome.
Plants of the Temperate Deciduous Forest
Some common plant species found in the temperate deciduous forest are displayed at this station. List
some of them on your worksheet. Plants in the temperate deciduous forest have special adaptations for
survival.
(bracken fern)
(white ash)
Plant Adaptations
Plants grow in four to five layers, with tall trees (maple, oak, and birch) in canopy layer, shorter trees in second
layer, shrubs in third layer, berries in fourth layer, and ferns, herbs, and mosses on forest floor.
Deciduous trees shed leaves in winter to prevent water loss and reduce breakage of limbs with heavy snow
Animals of the Temperate Deciduous Forest
Some common animal species found in the temperate deciduous forest are displayed at this station. List
some of them on your worksheet.
(fox)
(skunk)
(lady bug)
Animal Adaptations
Some mammals hibernate through the winter months when there is little food
Many birds migrate away in winter
Chipmunks and blue jays store nuts and seeds in tree hollows
Temperate Rainforest
This is different than a tropical rainforest in that a temperate rainforest biome experiences all
four seasons.
Plants of the Temperate Rainforest
Some common plant species found in the temperate rainforest are displayed at this station. List some of
them on your worksheet. Plants in the temperate rainforest have special adaptations for survival.
(big leaf maple)
(Northern black
cottonwood)
(huckleberry)
(Western Red Cedar)
Plant Adaptations
Trees, such as Sitka spruce and Douglas fir, grow
very tall
Mosses on trees
Ferns, mosses, and fungi grow on forest floor
Animals of the Temperate Rainforest
Some common animal species found in the temperate rainforest are displayed at this station. List some
of them on your worksheet.
(river otter)
(stellar’s jay)
(black bear)
(Douglas’ squirrel)
(black-tailed deer)
Animal Adaptations
Most animals live on or near forest floor
Many birds and small mammals eat seeds that fall on forest floor
Many insects live in tree bark, and birds with long beaks and amphibians with sticky tongues eat those insects
Grassland Biome (Temperate and Tropical)
The grassland biome is commonly referred to as the prairies.
Plants of the Temperate and Tropical Grassland
Some common plant species found in the grasslands are displayed at this station. List some of them on
your worksheet. Plants in the grasslands have special adaptations for survival.
(sunflower)
(buffalo grass)
(Clover)
Plant Adaptations
Trees are scarce due to limited rainfall
Some grasses have sharp edges or are too bitter for grazing
Grasses are adapted for drought and fire by having deep roots
Grasses can bend without breaking in wind
Many wildflowers pollinated by insects
Animals of the Grasslands
Some common animal species found in the grasslands are displayed at this station. List some of them
on your worksheet.
(dung beetle)
(buffalo)
(fly catcher)
(wild turkey)
Animal Adaptations
Large grazing mammals, such as antelope, have flat teeth that grind plant material
Animals such as mice, rabbits, gophers, and snakes burrow to escape fire, predators, or extreme weather
Tropical Rainforest
This forest is home to a greater variety of life than any other biome (by far) but there are few species of
large mammals. New species of plants and animals are discovered in the rainforest all the time.
Rainforest species also make up about ¼ of our medications used today.
Plants of the Tropical Rainforest
Some common plant species found in the tropical rainforest are displayed at this station. List some of
them on your worksheet.
(hibiscus)
(coconut palm)
Plant Adaptations
Since tall trees form a dense canopy that absorbs most of the sunlight only shrubs adapted to shade thrive in
the understory
Vines climb tree trunks into the canopy where there is more light. Many plants, such as orchids, reach sunlight
by growing on tall trees.
Leaves have narrow tips that allow rain to run off quickly, which reduces weight on the branches.
Animals of the Tropical Rainforest
Some common animal species found in the tropical rainforest are displayed at this station. List some of
them on your worksheet.
(poison dart frog)
(3-toed sloth)
(tucan)
Animal Adaptations
Most animals are adapted to live in trees since there is little vegetation on the forest floor
Nut eaters like parrots and toucans have big, strong beaks that cut nuts from the trees and crack open the tough shells.
Some rainforest animals secrete poisons that protect them from predators
The slow movement of the South American three-toed sloth, an adaptation to its low-calorie diet of leaves, also makes it
less noticeable to predators such as jaguars
Permanent Ice Biome
Plants of the Permanent Ice Biome
Some common plant species found in the permanent ice biome are displayed at this station. List some of
them on your worksheet.
(lichen)
(forget-me-not flowers)
Plant adaptations
Lichens (organisms that consist of fungi and algae) can tolerate drought and cold and are dark-coloured, thus absorbing
more sunlight
Many species of moss survive in the Arctic, but few species of moss grow in Antarctica
There are only two flowering plants in Antarctica, but there are more than 100 species of flowering plants in the Arctic
because of its brief growing season.
Animals of the Permanent Ice Biome
Some common animal species found in the permanent ice biome are displayed at this station. List some
of them on your worksheet.
The Arctic has polar bears, walruses, seals, arctic foxes, and some
insects.
Antarctica has mostly penguins and marine mammals, such as
leopard seals.
Animal adaptations
Penguins have fat layers and tightly packed feathers that retain heat.
Polar bears, seals, and walruses have thick coats and fat layers for warmth.
Walruses have no external ear, which reduces heat loss, and they lie close together in herds of over a thousand animals,
thus retaining heat.
The Desert Biome (Hot and Cold Deserts)
Deserts cover ~1/5 of the world’s land surface.
Hot deserts
Are found on every continent
around latitudes about 30º north
and south
Cold deserts
Are found in dry regions in the
interior of continents above 30º
north latitude and below 30º
south latitude and in the rain
shadows of mountains
Hot desert climate:
Cold desert climate:
In cold deserts, the rainfall is
also less than 25 cm
annually, with temperature
ranging from a summer
average of 23ºC to a winter
average of 3ºC.
Plants of the Desert Biome (Hot and Cold)
Some common plant species found in the desert biome are displayed at this station. List some of them
on your worksheet.
(greasewood)
(sage brush)
(bunch grass)
Plant adaptations
In hot deserts there are few plant species
Spiny cacti that have thick, fleshy stems that conserve water are common
Their roots extend metres away from the plant to absorb water
Other plants have small, thick, waxy leaves that also store water
Many plants have spines or produce chemicals that protect them from being eaten
In cold deserts, there are few plant species and most are less than 1 m tall.
Many plants, such as sagebrush, are deciduous and have spiny leaves.
Roots can extend 30 m and absorb water when available.
Animals of the Desert (Hot and Cold)
Some common animal species found in the desert biome are displayed at this station. List some of them
on your worksheet.
(scorpion)
(rattle snake)
(red slider turtle)
Animal adaptations
In the hot desert...
Reptiles are common and have thick skin and scales that prevent water loss.
Animals such as desert spadefoot toads and scorpions bury themselves in the ground and sleep during times of
heat and drought.
Animals are active mainly at night when temperatures are lower.
In the cold desert...
Fan-throated lizards, small mammals, such as foxes, coyotes, jackrabbits, and pocket mice burrow to escape the
cold.