BIOMES

• Biome – physical environment that has characteristic plants & animals.

• Example: Lizards + Cactus = Desert.

Major Biomes

• Tropical Rain Forest• Tropical Dry Forest• Tropical Savanna• Desert• Temperate Grassland• Temperate Woodland

& Shrupland

• Temperate Forest• Northwestern

Coniferous Forest• Boreal Forest• Tundra

Each biome is defined by a unique set of abiotic features, particularly climate, and has a characteristic ecological community.

Tropical Savanna

• Abiotic – Warm temperatures

– Seasonal rainfall

– Compact soil

– Frequent fires due to lightening

Tropical Savanna, cont.

• Plants– Tall, perennial grasses– Drought tolerant and fire resistant trees &

shrubs

Tropical Savanna, cont.

• Animals– Predators: lions, leopards, cheetahs, hyenas,

jackals, aardvarks– Herbivores: elephants, giraffes, antelope,

zebras, baboons– Birds: eagles, ostriches, storks– Reptiles: none– Insects: termites

Tropical Savanna, cont.

• Location– East Africa– Southern Brazil– Northern Australia

Desert

• Abiotic– Low precipitation– Variable temperatures– Soils rich in minerals but poor in organic

material

Desert, cont.

• Plants– Cacti– Succulents– Creosote bush– Plants with short growth cycles

Desert, cont.

• Animals– Predators: mountain lions, gray foxes,

bobcats– Herbivores: mule deer, pronghorn antelope,

bighorn sheep, kangaroo rats, bats– Birds: owls, hawks, roadrunners– Reptiles: tortoises, rattlesnakes, lizards– Insects: ants, beetles, butterflies, flies, wasps

Deserts, cont

• Location– Africa– Asia– Middle east– South America– Australia

Temperate Grassland

• Abiotic– Warm to hot summers– Cold winters– Moderate seasonal precipitation– Fertile soil– Occasional fires

Temperate Grassland, cont.

• Plants– Lush perennial grasses and herbs

Temperate Grassland, cont.

• Animals– Predators: coyotes, badgers– Herbivores: mule deer, pronghorn antelope,

rabbits, prairie dogs; formerly had bison– Birds: owls, hawks, bobwhite, prairie chickens– Reptiles: snakes– Insects: grasshoppers, ants

Temperate Grassland, cont.

• Location– South Asia– North America– Australia– Central Europe– South America

Tropical Rain Forest

• Abiotic– Hot and wet year round– Thin, nutrient-poor soil

Tropical Rain Forest, cont.

• Plants– Broad-leaf evergreen – Ferns– Large woody vines– Orchids– Bromeliads

Tropical Rain Forest, cont.

• Animals– Predators: jaguars, anteaters, monkeys– Herbivores: sloth, tapirs– Birds: toucans, parrots, parakeets– Reptiles: Caymans, boa constrictors,

anaconda– Insects: butterflies, ants, beetles– Fish: piranhas

Tropical Rain Forest, cont.

• Location– South and Central America– Southeast Asia– Parts of Africa– Southern India– Northeast Australia

Savanna

• Abiotic– Generally warm year round– Alternating wet-dry seasons– Rich soils, easily eroded

Savanna, cont.

• Plants– Tall, deciduous trees– Orchids– Bromeliads– Aloes– Succulents

Savanna, cont.• Animals

– Predators: tigers, monkeys– Herbivores: elephants, Indian rhinocerous,

hog deer– Birds: pelican, great pied hornbill, pied harrier– Reptiles: snakes, lizards– Insects: termites

Savanna, cont.

• Location– Parts of Africa– Southern & Central America– Mexico– India– Australia– Tropical Islands

Temperate Forest

• Abiotic– Cold to moderate winters– Warm summers– Year round precipitation– Fertile soils

Temperate Forest, cont.

• Plants– Broadleaf deciduous trees– Conifers– Flowering shrubs– Herbs– Ground layer of mosses and ferns

Temperate Forest, cont.

• Animals– Predators: black bear, bobcats– Herbivores: deer, squirrels, raccoons, skunks– Birds: songbirds, turkeys– Reptiles:– Insects: beetles

Temperate Forest, cont.

• Location– Eastern United States– Southeast Canada– Europe– Japan– China– Australia

Tundra

• Abiotic– Strong winds– Low precipitation– Short summers– Cold, dark winters– Poorly developed soils– Permafrost

Tundra, cont.

• Plants– Mosses– Lichens– Low-lying grasses

Tundra, cont.

• Animals– Migratory waterfowl– Shore birds– Musk ox– Arctic foxes– Caribou– Small rodents

Tundra, cont.

• Location– North America– Asia– Europe