1 Biomes of the World

2 Biomes A biome is a region of the biosphere with a particular climate and specific characteristics. A specific biome has the same type of dominant communities (similar wildlife).

3 The Tundra is typically a flat and treeless region of land that has a layer of permafrost- the underlying layers of soil are permanently frozen.

4 The Tundra Weather and Climate Plants AnimalsThin layers of soil on top of permafrost. In winter the temperatures can reach a low of -60º F. Long summer days; short winter days Lichens, small shrubs where soil is present (no trees), grass including cotton grass. Falcons, snowy owls, arctic foxes, caribou, polar bears, lemmings, many biting insects (mosquitoes)

5 Tundra Tundras are located in Alaska, northern Canada, southern Greenland, northern Russia and some parts of Antarctica (the northern shore).

6 Do Penguins Fly?

7 BBC Hoax! Penguins can not actually fly. However, SOME penguin species do reside in the tundra). *Note that Polar Ice Caps are not the same as the tundra. Polar ice caps have no vegetation but usually can have animal life that feed on marine organisms (penguins, polar bears, walruses).

8 The Taiga The taiga is a swampy coniferous forest that is located in high northern altitudes bordering the tundra. Coniferous refers to conifers, which are a type of evergreen.

9 Long winters and long summers (short spring and autumn).The Taiga Weather and Climate Plants Animals For half the year the average temperature is below freezing; can reach a high of 70ºF during the summer Long winters and long summers (short spring and autumn). Many evergreen trees such as spruces, firs, hemlock; aspen trees; small shrubs. Lynx, bobcats, wolverines, voles, snowshoe hares, black bears, wolves, squirrels; some moose and elk

10 The taiga also contains permafrost under the soil layersThe taiga also contains permafrost under the soil layers. Bedrock can be found under the permafrost; which causes water to accumulate. There are many swamps and bogs located in the taiga.

11 Taiga Taigas are located in Canada; parts of Alaska; Scandinavia; and Russia (Siberia). In Russia, the world’s largest taiga stretches about 5,800 kilometers (3,600 miles).

12 Boreal Forest Taigas are sometimes referred to as a “boreal forest”.Boreas is one of the four directional wind Gods. Boreas is the God of northern wind. His hair is usually depicted as being spiked (with ice).

13 Taiga Boreal Forest Coniferous ForestNote: The southern parts of the taiga may also be referred to as a coniferous forest – and it may mesh with a temperate coniferous forest where the climate is milder. Basically, the taiga has a few different names (usually depending on whether it is the northern part [near tundra- colder] or southern part [temperate- milder]). Taiga Boreal Forest Coniferous Forest

14 Temperate Forest Temperate forests are generally characterized by mild climates (not extremely hot or cold). Temperate forests can fall into separate categories such as temperate coniferous forest or temperate deciduous forest.

15 Temperate Forest Weather and Climate Plants Animals Average temperature is about 60º F; rain and snow (avg. 40 inches of rainfall annually); in deciduous forests leaves turn color during the autumn months . Trees such as oak, maples, and evergreens; mountain laurel, White-tailed deer, gray squirrels, chipmunks, raccoon, skunk, opossum, black bears, hummingbirds, woodpeckers

16 Temperate Deciduous ForestTemperate Forests are located in the eastern U.S.; The U.K; France; Germany; parts of Korea and China; and Japan.

17 Grassland Grasslands are exactly what you would guess they are: land covered with grass. Grass is the dominant plant (trees and shrubs only make up about 10% of the flora).

18 Grasslands have four seasons, but do not get as much rain as temperate forests. The soil is very fertile and good for growing crops (grains like wheat and corn).

19 Grassland Weather and Climate Plants AnimalsPartly dry; windy; average temperature of 60° F. (Some grasslands, known as long grasslands are humid, wet, and have higher temperatures). Many grasses and flowers; some trees and shrubs found near trees. Badger; bison; jack-rabbit; coyote; elk; prairie dog; antelope; prairie dogs

20 Grassland Grasslands can be found in the mid-west U.S. (plains and prairies); Parts of British Columbia, South America, Asia and Australia.

21 Yellowstone National ParkYellowstone is a mix of biomes, but mostly grasslands ( + some boreal forest)

22 Savannah AKA Tropical Grassland - less rainfall than grasslands, but more rainfall than a desert. Lots of grasses, spotted with trees.

23 Savannah (Think Lion King). Warm temperature year round.Weather and Climate Plants Animals Warm temperature year round. Two main seasons: long, dry winter and short, wet summer. Acacia trees; Bermuda grass; elephant grass Giraffes; lions; zebras; elephants; hyenas (Think Lion King).

24 Savannah Savannahs are typically located between deserts and tropical rainforests. Savannahs are located in Africa, Indonesia, South America and Australia.

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26 Desert A desert is a very dry, barren area of land; typically covered with sand.

27 Deserts Weather and Climate Plants AnimalsLess than 10 inches (25 cm) of rainfall per year; extremely dry. Desert temperatures can be very hot during the day but chilly at night. Cactus; prickly pears; turpentine bush Iguana, tortoise, rattlesnake, wolves (endangered), roadrunner

28 Desert Deserts are found in Africa, Southwestern U.S., and South America, and Afghanistan.

29 Rainforest Rainforests that are close to the equator are considered tropical, all other rainforests are considered temperate. Both temperate and tropical rainforests have LOTS of rainfall!

30 Temperate Rainforest Weather and Climate Plants AnimalsMild temperatures- rarely freezes in the winter and does not go above 80°F in the summer months. 80+ inches of rainfall per year! Very rich soil. Large looming evergreens such as cedars and firs. Lots of mosses and ferns. Deer, elk, squirrels, foxes, chipmunks, mountain lions

31 Temperate Rainforest In the U.S., the temperate rainforest borders and meshes with parts of Canada. Temperate Rainforests can be found in the Pacific NW of U.S. (California; Washington), and South America (as well as some small parts of the U.K and Australia).

32 Tropical Rainforests have the most species; greatest biodiversity.Weather and Climate Plants Animals Dense, warm, wet. Annual rainfall of 80+ inches per year. Soil is thin; poor in nutrients (too acidic to support decomposers). Ferns, mosses, bamboo, bananas, sugar cane, vanilla, cacao, many tree species. Jaguar, Sloth, Bats, Toucans, monkeys, tigers Tropical Rainforests have the most species; greatest biodiversity.

33 Tropical Rainforest Tropical Rainforests can be found in Africa, South America, and Southeast Asia.

34 The top of the trees are called the ___________________The top of the trees are called the ___________________. Rainforests contain thousands of different ________species. Name three examples of animal life that live in the trees: ______________________________________________________.

35 Aquatic Ecosystems. Two types of aquatic ecosystems: freshwater and saltwater. Estuary= the area where freshwater meets seawater.

36 Freshwater Ecosystems-Flowing water (rivers; streams) -Stillwater (lakes; ponds) -Wetlands (water covers soil, swampy).

37 Marine (Saltwater) EcosystemsSea/Ocean/Saltmarshes Photic zone= Area of marine ecosystems that are exposed to sunlight (ex: coral reefs). Aphotic zone= area of marine ecosystems that are not exposed to sunlight (deep; dark).

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39 Copyright and Additional Information© 2012 Vanessa Jason (Biology Roots) All rights reserved by author. Permission for single classroom use only. Not for public display (including websites).