UNIT 6 Ecosystems CHARACTERISTICS OF THE MAIN BIOMES

UNIT 6 Characteristics of the main biomes COLD ZONE BIOMES Polar desert and tundra Taiga TEMPERATE ZONE BIOMES Deciduous forest Mediterranean forest Steppe WARM ZONE BIOMES Desert Savannah Tropical forest Click on each picture to find out more

UNIT 6 Characteristics of the main biomes The polar desert and the tundra Location • Polar deserts are located in the polar circles. • Tundra occurs at lower latitudes than the polar desert (at latitudes greater than 70º). Tundra Icecaps

UNIT 6 Characteristics of the main biomes The polar desert and the tundra Climate • The climate in these regions (a polar climate) is characterised by intense cold (winter temperatures of -50 ºC) and very little precipitation, which frequently comes in the form of snow.

UNIT 6 Characteristics of the main biomes The polar desert and the tundra Flora and fauna Rock ptarmigan • There is no vegetation in the polar desert. Vegetation in the tundra is composed only of mosses, lichens and some shrubs. • These areas are home to animals that are adapted to the cold, like bears, arctic foxes, penguins, seals, arctic hares, etc. Polar bears Bear Arctic fox Seals Go back to the Start menu

UNIT 6 Characteristics of the main biomes The taiga Location • Located below the tundra, the taiga extends to latitudes of 60º. Boreal coniferous forest (taiga), mixed forest

UNIT 6 Characteristics of the main biomes The taiga Climate • The taiga climate (a cold continental climate) is characterised by very long, cold winters and short, mild summers. There is little rainfall. In the winter, precipitation comes in the form of snow.

UNIT 6 Characteristics of the main biomes The taiga Flora and fauna • The taiga is dominated by coniferous trees, which are well adapted to the cold, and bushes, like heather and berry bushes. • The fauna is similar to that of the tundra: it consists of reindeer, bison, wolves, grouses, beavers, otters, etc. Wood grouse Elks Bear Wolf Beaver Go back to the Start menu Otter

UNIT 6 Characteristics of the main biomes The deciduous forest Location • Deciduous forests are located at the middle latitudes in areas with oceanic climates. Humid deciduous forests of the temperate zone and prairies

UNIT 6 Characteristics of the main biomes The deciduous forest Climate • An oceanic climate features cold winters and mild summers, with plenty of evenly dispersed precipitation throughout the year.

UNIT 6 Characteristics of the main biomes The deciduous forest Flora and fauna • These ecosystems are home to deciduous trees like oak, chestnut, walnut, etc. , which lose their leaves in the winter. This means that the forests change in appearance over the seasons. Deer Brown bear Wild boar • Typical fauna includes fallow deer, squirrels, brown bears, wolves, foxes and owls. Go back to the Start menu

UNIT 6 Characteristics of the main biomes The Mediterranean forest Location • Mediterranean forests are found at latitudes of between 35º and 45º and are located near the Mediterranean Sea, in California and in some regions of Chile, South Africa and Australia. Mediterranean forests and scrubland

UNIT 6 Characteristics of the main biomes The Mediterranean forest Climate • A Mediterranean is characterised by mild winters and hot summers. Rainfall is scarce and irregular, with the most precipitation in the spring and the autumn. There is often an intense drought period in the summer.

UNIT 6 Characteristics of the main biomes The Mediterranean forest Flora and fauna • Typical vegetation consists of evergreen trees, including holm oaks and cork oaks. • Typical fauna includes deer, rabbits, lynx, wolves, martens, wild boars, imperial eagles, vultures, kites and wood mice. Marten Vulture Golden eagle Lynx Deer Rabbit Go back to the Start menu

UNIT 6 Characteristics of the main biomes The steppe Location • The steppe is located at the same latitudes as the deciduous forest, but has a continental climate. Steppe and dry scrubland

UNIT 6 Characteristics of the main biomes The steppe Climate • A continental climate is characterised by cold winters and hot summers, with intermittent rainfall occurring in a single season.

UNIT 6 Characteristics of the main biomes The steppe Flora and fauna • Typical vegetation consists of herbaceous plants, like cereals, and scattered trees. • The steppe is home to bison, gazelles, horses, squirrels, prairie dogs, coyotes, etc. Horses Prairie dog Go back to the Start menu

UNIT 6 Characteristics of the main biomes The desert Location • Deserts are located at latitudes close to the tropics, around 30º in both hemispheres. Desert and semi-desert vegetation

UNIT 6 Characteristics of the main biomes The desert Climate • A desert climate is characterised by great variations in daytime and nighttime temperatures (they can vary by up to 40 ºC) and by little rainfall.

UNIT 6 Characteristics of the main biomes The desert Flora and fauna • There is little vegetation, and the plants that do inhabit these areas are adapted to avoid losing water (like cacti). • Desert fauna has also adapted to survive the heat: one example is how some animals remain hidden during the daylight hours. Desert fauna includes snakes, coyotes, scorpions and lizards. Lizard Coyote Snake Scorpion Go back to the Start menu

UNIT 6 Characteristics of the main biomes The savannah Location • Savannahs are located between the tropics, around the Earth’s tropical forest regions. Savannahs and dry scrubland

UNIT 6 Characteristics of the main biomes The savannah Climate • Temperatures in the savannah remain steady throughout the year (they do not fall below 18 ºC) and precipitation is irregular, with periods of drought interspersed with heavy rain.

UNIT 6 Characteristics of the main biomes The savannah Flora and fauna • The flora of the savannah includes tall herbaceous plants with scattered deciduous trees like acacias and baobabs. • The savannah is home to rhinoceros, giraffes, antelope, gazelles, zebras, lions, hyenas and vultures. Leopard Rhinoceros Antelope Zebra Lion Hyena Go back to the Start menu

UNIT 6 Characteristics of the main biomes The tropical forest Location • Tropical forests are located in a narrow strip around the Equator, stretching to 10º north and south of this imaginary line. Tropical forests and rainforests

UNIT 6 Characteristics of the main biomes The tropical forest Climate • In a tropical climate, temperatures do not vary (average temperatures range between 24 and 27 ºC). The climate is characterised by high, regular rainfall year round.

UNIT 6 Characteristics of the main biomes The tropical forest Flora and fauna • Tropical forests are home to evergreen trees that form very dense forests. Parrot Toucan Jaguar • Fauna is varied and consists of animals like butterflies, alligators, boas, jaguars, marmosets, parrots, toucans and an enormous variety of insects. Boa Go back to the Start menu