Biomes Biomes Large geographic areas with similar climax

Biomes

Biomes • Large geographic areas with similar climax communities.

Factors that Determine Climate • Temperature • Latitude – Zero latitude at the equator – 90° latitude at the poles – The higher the latitude the lower the suns energy

• Elevation – The distance above sea level – Atmosphere acts as insulation

• Precipitation • The amount of moisture that condenses and falls to the earth as rain.

Terrestrial Biomes(land) • Tundra – A treeless area between the icecap and the tree line of Artic regions, having a permantly frozen subsoil(Permafrost) and supporting low growing vegetation. Little precipitation

Taiga( Northern Coniferous Forest) • Sun-artic, evergreen coniferous forests of sub-artic lands, covering vast areas of North America and Eurasia • Dominated by fir and spruce trees

Temperate Deciduous Forest • Found in the northern and southern hemispheres • Latitudes below 50° • Four distinct seasons • Temp range – 0 to 30°C • 75 to 150 cm of precipitation

Tropical Rainforest • • • At the equator Lush green plants 200 to 400 cm of rain per year Constant temp of 25°C Hot and humid

Grassland • • Temperate and tropical regions 25 -75 cm of rain a year Good farming area Dry season

Desert • • Arid region Less than 25 cm of rain per year Sparse or no vegetation Covered in sand or gravel

Aquatic Biomes(water) • Two types of water biomes – Freshwater – Marine

Freshwater Biome • The aquatic biome consisting of water containing fewer salts than the waters in the marine biome; divided into two zones: running waters (rivers, streams) and standing waters (lakes, ponds).

Marine Biome • The aquatic biome consisting of waters containing 3. 5% salt on average; includes the oceans and covers more than 70% of the Earth's surface.