Biomes of the world

2. I. Biomes:
areas that have
distinctive
climates and
organisms

4. Tropical Rainforest

5. Tropical
Rainforest
once,
20% of earth;
now 7%
exist around equator, so
strong sunlight and
consistent climate.

6. Tropical
Rainforest
humid, always warm,
never freezes, lots of
rain (100-400 in. a year
= 250-1000 cm/yr)

7. Tropical
Rainforest
Has poor soil.
So how do many
species of plants
thrive?

8. answer: rapid decay
of plants and
animals constantly
returning nutrients
to the soil

9. plants grow in layers
(strata) for sunlight. Lots
of light at canopy; little
at bottom. Plants on
forest floor often have
huge leaves.

10. animals are often
poisonous or
camouflaged


11. Temperate Rain
Forest
occur in
North &
South
America,
Australia, &
New Zealand

12. Temperate Rain
Forest
cool & humid
Mild winters and
summers for latitude
70 – 200 inches of rain
per year (150 – 500
cm)

13. Temperate
Rain Forest
Only a few species of lush
evergreen and deciduous
trees on windward slopes
Redwoods – tallest trees
on earth
Huge ferns, thick
undergrowth

14. Temperate
Rain Forest
Numerous bird and
mammal species –
raccoons, gray wolf,
white-tailed deer, bears,
badgers, wild pigs, etc.

15. Temperate
Deciduous Forests
Leaves turn
colors.
Trees shed
leaves
each fall.

16. Temperate
Deciduous Forests
exist b/t 30 degrees &
50 degrees north
latitude, so
seasonal variation

17. Temperate
Deciduous Forests
30 - 100 inches
Precipitation
(75-250 cm/yr)

18. soil rich & deep.
Why?
rain causes rapid
decomposition of
leaves

19. forests grow in
layers
migratory birds ;
hibernating animals

20. Taiga: northern
coniferous
forest just
below Arctic
Circle

21. Taiga
long, cold winters
precipitation = snow
constant daylight in
summer

22. Taiga
conifer trees: needle-
shaped leaves (retain
water, acidic)

23. Taiga
soil forms slowly, is
acidic; few plants on
ground

24. Taiga
migrating birds,
burrowing and
camouflaged
animals

25. Tropical Savanna

26. Tropical
Savanna
near equator
very little rain -
less than 6 months
of the year (4 –70
inches)

27. Tropical
Savanna
plants: long
underground roots to
survive fire and dry
season, perennials;
- thorny plants so
animals won’t eat

28. Tropical
Savanna
Migratory herbivores
follow rains-
different herbivores
eat plants of
different heights.

29. Tropical
Savanna
Contains
the largest
number of
grazing
animals

30. Tropical
Savanna
predators follow
mostly large land
animals

31. Grassland & Prairies

32. Temperate
Grasslands &
Prairies
Rainfall – 25 – 88
cm/year (10 – 35 in/yr)
Sizzling temperatures in
summer
buffalo
30º - 50º N latitude

33. Temperate
Grasslands &
Prairies
 Plant Adaptations
- Root systems of plants
form dense mats to
survive drought and fire
and hold the soil in place.
- Few trees because of the
drought, fire and constant
wind.

34. Temperate
Grasslands &
Prairies
 Animal Adaptations
- buffalos have thick coats
to withstand the cold
winters
- prairie dogs & owls live
in underground burrows
to protect them from fire,
elements and predators

35. Deserts

36. Deserts
receive less than 10
in. precip/yr (25 cm/
yr) extreme temp
flux!
Dry winds

37. Deserts
soil rich in
minerals, but poor
in organic matter.
Why?

38. Deserts
ans: not enough
water to aid in
decomposition.

39. Deserts
plants:
succulents
:thick stems &
leaves to store
water -

40. Deserts
spiny &
thorny
underground
bulbs or wide
root systems

41. Deserts
animals:
dry, scaly
skin

42. Deserts
some estivate (bury
themselves in the
ground & sleep
through the dry
season)

43. Deserts
many nocturnal
Kangaroo rat

44. Tundra

45. Tundra
North of the
Arctic Circle

46. Tundra
biome w/o trees,
grasses & shrubs
grow in permanently
frozen soil
(permafrost)

47. Tundra
7 – 40 inches of
rain/year
Only 2 or 3 months
above freezing
Long and cold winter
Brief cool summer

48. Tundra
plants:
mosses &
lichens (can
grow w/o soil)

49. Tundra
wide, shallow
roots anchor
plants against
wind

50. Tundra
animals:
migratory
camouflage
thick coats