2 cn main_biomes_sc

Ecosystems

CHARACTERISTICS OF
THE MAIN BIOMES

Natural Science 2. Secondary Education

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

The polar desert and the tundra
Location
• Polar deserts are
located in the polar
circles.
• Tundra is found at lower
latitudes than the polar
desert (at latitudes
greater than 70º).

Tundra

Icecaps

Climate
• The polar climate is
characterised by intense
cold (winter temperatures
of -50 ºC) and very little
precipitation, which comes
in the form of snow.


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

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The taiga
Location
• Located below the
tundra, the taiga
extends to latitudes of
60º.

Boreal coniferous forest (taiga), mixed forest

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.


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.

Wood grouse

• The fauna is similar
to that of the tundra: it
consists of reindeer,
bison, wolves,
grouses, beavers,
otters, etc.

Elks

Bear

Wolf

Beaver

Otter



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

Climate
• An oceanic climate
features cold winters
and mild summers,
with plenty of evenly
dispersed
precipitation
throughout the year.


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.


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

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


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



The steppe
Location
• The steppe is
located at the same
latitudes as the
deciduous forest, but
has a continental
climate.

Steppe and dry scrubland

The steppe
Climate
• A continental
climate is
characterised
by cold winters
and hot
summers, with
intermittent
rainfall
occurring in a
single season.


The steppe
Flora and fauna
• Typical
vegetation
consists of
herbaceous
plants, like
cereals, and
scattered trees.

Horses

• The steppe is
home to bison,
gazelles, horses,
squirrels, prairie
dogs, coyotes, etc.

Prairie dog



The desert
Location
• Deserts are located at
latitudes close to the
tropics, around 30º in
both hemispheres.

Desert and semi-desert vegetation

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.


The desert
Flora and fauna
• There is little
vegetation, and the
plants that do
inhabit these areas
have adaptations 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



The savannah
Location
• Savannahs are
located between the
tropics, around the
Earth’s tropical forest
regions.

Savannahs and dry scrubland

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.


The savannah
Flora and fauna
•The flora of the
savannah
includes tall
herbaceous
plants with
scattered
deciduous trees
like acacias and
baobabs.

Leopard
Rhinoceros
Antelope

Zebra

• The savannah is
home to
rhinoceros,
giraffes, antelope,
gazelles, zebras,
lions, hyenas and
vultures.

Lion

Hyena



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

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 all year
round.


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



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