4 3 Terrestrial Biomes site 1 Biome A

4 -3 Terrestrial Biomes site

1. Biome A. Complex terrestrial communities that: 1. Covers a large area. 2. characterized by certain soil and climate conditions. 3. Particular assemblages of plants and animals. 2. Tolerance A. Plants and animals are adapted to exist in particular environments.

B. Allows them to survive in different conditions. C. They can tolerate some fluctuations in conditions, but generally don’t survive outside their particular climate. 3. Biomes and Climate A. Climate generally stays the same within any particular biome. B. Microclimates is the climate in a small area that differs then the surrounding climate.

4. Major Biomes A. Ecologist recognize at least ten major biomes B. Include: 1. Tropical rain forest 2. Tropical dry forest 3. Savanna 4. Desert 5. Temperate grassland 6. Temperate woodland shrubland

7. Temperate forest 8. Northwestern coniferous forest 9. Boreal forest 10. Tundra 11. Coral Reefs – (Marine) C. Each biome is defined by a unique set of abiotic factors and a characteristic assemblage of plants and animals.

Tropical Rain Forest Climate Characteristic Plants hot and wet year ferns, broad-leafed -round (25 -30ºC) evergreen trees, woody vines, climbing plants, nutrient poor orchids, bromeliads soils precipitation tall trees (50 -80 m) year round forming canopy (usually more than 100 mm per month) Characteristic Animals sloth, tapirs, capybaras, jaguars, anteaters, monkeys, toucans, parrots, parakeets, butterflies, beetles, ants, piranhas, caymans, anacondas

Tropical Rain Forest Parts of south and central America, Southeast Asia, parts of Africa, southern India, Northeastern Australia

Tropical Dry Forest Climate Characteristic Plants warm year. Tall, deciduous round trees that form a dense canopy Alternating wet during the wet season, aloes, and dry succulents, orchids, seasons bromeliads Precipitation 0350 mm per month Characteristic Animals tigers, monkeys, elephants, Indian rhinoceroses, hog deer, hornbills, pied harriers, spot-billed pelicans, insects, snakes, monitor lizards

Tropical Dry Forest Parts of Africa, South and Central America, Mexico, India, Australia, tropical islands

Tropical Savannas Climate Precipitation between 10 -300 mm per month 25°C to 30°C Warm temperatures, seasonal rainfall Characteristic Plants Tall perennial grasses; sometimes trees or shrubs – acacia tree Characteristic Animals lions, leopards, cheetahs, hyenas, jackals, aardvarks, elephants, giraffes, antelope, zebra, baboons, eagles, ostriches, insects

Tropical Savanna Large parts of eastern Africa, southern Brazil, northern Australia

Desert Climate less than 25 cm of rain per year Varies greatly with elevation and altitude 15 -35°C hot summers, cold winters (some are hot all year) Characteristic Plants sparse vegetation – cactus, small plants, creosote bush, succulents Characteristic Animals mountain lion, gray fox, bobcats, mule deer, pronghorn antelope, desert bighorn sheep, kangaroo rats, bats, owls, hawks, roadrunners, ants, beetles, butterflies, tortoises, rattlesnakes, lizards

Desert Africa, Asia, the Middle East, united States, Mexico, South America, Australia

Temperate Grassland Climate precipitation between 20 -100 mm per month 10°C to 30°C cold winters, hot summers Characteristic Plants Lush, perennial grasses and herbs Characteristic Animals coyotes, badgers, wolves, grizzly bears, mule deer, pronghorn antelope, rabbits, prairie dogs, hawks, owls, bobwhites, prairie chickens, snakes, insects

Temperate Grasslands Central Asia, North America, Australia, central Europe, South America

Temperate Woodland Shrubland Climate Precipitation 0 -75 mm per month Characteristic Plants Characteristic Animals Coyotes, foxes, bobcats, Woody evergreen mountain lions, Temperature shrubs with small black tailed deer, 10ºC - 20ºC leathery leaves; rabbits, squirrels, fragrant, oily hawks, quails, Hot, dry summers; herbs, oak trees warblers, lizards, cool moist winters; snakes, butterflies nutrient poor soils, periodic fires

Temperate Woodland Shrubland Western coasts of North and South America, areas around the Mediterranean Sea, South Africa, Australia

Temperate Forest Climate Characteristic Plants Precipitation 75 -100 Broadleaf mm per month deciduous trees, Temperature 0ºC 30ºC Fertile soil Cold to moderate winters; warm summers some coniferous trees, Flowering shrubs, herbs, mosses and ferns Characteristic Animals Deer, black bears, bobcats, squirrels, raccoons, skunks, songbirds, turkeys

Temperate Forest eastern U. S. , SE Canada, , most Europe, parts of Japan, China, and Australia

Northwestern Coniferous Forest Climate Precipitation 80150 mm per month Temperature 5ºC - 20ºC Fall, winter, spring, relatively cool; dry summer, rocky acidic soil Characteristic Plants Douglas fir, Sitka spruce, western hemlock, redwood Characteristic Animals Bears, elk, deer, beavers, owls, bobcats, weasels, squirrels

Northwestern Coniferous Forest Pacific coast or NW U. S. , Canada, N. Ca to Alaska

Boreal Forest (Coniferous Forest)/ Taiga Climate -25°C to 15°C Characteristic Plants Needle leaf coniferous trees – fir, pines, 10 -70 mm spruce; coneprecipitation per bearing month evergreen Short, cool shrubs; some summers; long, deciduous trees cold winters; high humidity Characteristic Animals Lynx, timber wolves, weasels, moose, beavers, songbirds, migratory birds

Boreal North America, Asia, Northern Europe

Tundra Climate -30°C to 5°C (barely above freezing) little precipitation (0 -20 mm per month) permafrost present; strong winds; short and soggy summers, long, cold and dark winters Characteristic Plants (small groundhugging plants) mosses, grasses, shrubs, dwarf trees, lichen, sedges Characteristic Animals Migratory waterfowl, shore birds, musk ox, arctic foxes, caribou, lemmings, insects, wolves, hares, snowy owl,

Tundra northern N. America, Asia, Europe

http: //www. enchantedlearning. com/biomes/