Biomes A biome is a group of ecosystems

Biomes

A biome is a group of ecosystems, that have similar climates, soil, plants, and animals.

There are 2 types of biomes: Terrestrial Aquatic

8 Major Terrestrial Biomes n n n n Tropical Rain Forest Temperate Deciduous Forest Taiga (aka Northern Coniferous Forest) Temperate Grassland Savanna Chaparral Desert Tundra

Tropical Rain Forest n n A hot, humid biome near the equator A lot of rainfall Biodiverse Poor Soil equator

Animals of the Tropical Rain Forest n n n More species of insects, reptiles, and amphibians than any place else Monkeys and sloths Colorful birds like parrots and macaws

Plants of the Tropical Rain Forest n n n Orchids Ferns Pineapples Chocolate Coffee *** Plants grow in layers

Temperate Deciduous Forest A forest biome with many kinds of trees that lose their leaves each autumn n Seasonal climate n n Warm, wet summers Cold, dry winters Found N and S of equator

Animals of the Deciduous Forest n n n Large mammals like wolves, deer, bears Small mammals like fox, squirrels, raccoons, and rabbits Birds Frogs and snakes Insects like ticks, mosquitoes, and grasshoppers

Plants of the Deciduous Forest n n n Birch, Maple and Oak Trees Ferns Poison Ivy

Taiga n n A cool forest biome of conifer trees Dry long winters, damp summers with short growing season North of the Equator and the Temperate Deciduous Forest Acidic Soil

Animals of the Taiga n n n n Rodents Snowshoe hares Lynx Caribou Bear Wolves Birds in summer

Plants of the Taiga n Tall coniferous trees whose seeds are in cones

Temperate Grassland n n A biome where grasses are the main plant life. Hot summers, cold winters and little rain Richest soil Grass fires are common

Animals in the Grassland n n n Large mammals like antelope and bison Small mammals like prairie dogs, foxes and badgers Snakes Insects Various birds

Plants of the Grassland n n Grasses Wildflowers Shrubs Few trees

Savanna n n n Hot tropical region Dry season and a wet season Near equator

Animals in the Savanna n Elephants, lions, zebras, giraffes, rhino, and tigers

Plants in the Savanna n n Grasses Few trees and shrubs

Chaparral n n Warm summers, mild winters Dry, but wetter than deserts n n Not enough water to support large trees Fires naturally occur

Animals in the Chaparral n n Chipmunks Mule Deer Lizards Quail

Plants in the Chaparral n n Olive trees Evergreen shrubs Small Trees Herbs

Desert n n A sandy or rocky biome, with little precipitation and little plant life Can be hot or cold

Animals of the Desert n n n Rodents Snakes Lizards Tortoises Insects Birds

Plants of the Desert n Cactus

Tundra n n A cold biome in the far north The ground is frozen except in summer when a thin layer called permafrost defrosts enough to support small plants Long dark winters, short summers A lot of snow

Animals of the Tundra n n n Musk oxen Caribou Arctic foxes Owls Rodents Moose

Plants of the Tundra n n Mosses Lichens Low lying plants Dwarf trees