BIOMESChapter 21

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Biomes of the Earth

ForestsThere are three types of forests…

1.) Temperate Deciduous Forests

2.) Tropical Rain Forests

3.) Taiga (Coniferous Forests/Boreal Forests)

Temperate Deciduous Forest

Temperate Deciduous Forest

• Deciduous means “to fall off” – the trees in this region have leaves that fall off.

• We live in a temperate forest!

• Rainfall – 75 – 125cm• Temp.- Summer – 28C, 82F

Winter– 6C, 43F

Temperate Deciduous Forest’s are typically found in the northern hemisphere.

Click to the next slide to see plants and animals commonly found in this biome

Tropical Rain Forest

Tropical Rain Forest• More species live here than any other biome

• Canopy – treetops in the rainforest. Most animals live there

• Very little light reaches the ground b/c of the canopy

• This is the wettest and warmest biome• Rainfall – up to 400cm• Temp.- Daytime– 34C, 93F

Nighttime– 20C, 68F

The world’s rainforest’s are found in tropical locations near the equator.

Click to the next slide to see plants and animals commonly found in this biome

Taiga

Taiga• This biome has long cold winters• Have evergreen trees – trees that stay green all

year long.• Conifers are trees that produce seeds in cones

and have needle-like leaves (pine trees)• Animals in this biome often hibernate or migrate• This is the largest biome• AKA: coniferous forest and boreal forest

Taiga

•Rainfall – 35 - 75cm•Temp.- Summer – 14C, 57F

- Winter – -10C, 14F

The taiga is only found in the northern hemisphere and it’s the largest biome

Click to the next slide to see plants and animals commonly found in this biome

Grasslands

-Grasses are the main vegetation.

-There biomes are typically found between forests and deserts.

-These biomes exist on every continent.

-They are also known as plains, prairies, savannas, and steppes.

Temperate Grassland

Temperate Grasslands

•This biome has mixed grasses with various plants and a few trees

•Rainfall – 25-75cm•Temp.- Summer – 30C, 86F

Winter – 0C, 32F

Savanna

Savanna• Tropical grassland with scattered clumps of trees.• It has a rainy season and a dry season. • The majority of the world’s savannas are in

Africa.

• Rainfall – 150cm• Temp.- Rainy Season – 16C, 61F

Dry Season – 34C, 93F

The Earth’s Grasslands

Click to the next slide to see plants and animals commonly found in this biome

Desert

Desert• Hot and dry with a variety of plants and animals.• Animals are most active at night (nocturnal)• This is the biome with the least rainfall

• Rainfall – less than 25cm• Temp.- Summer – 38C, 100F

Winter – 7C, 45F

The Earth’s Deserts

Click to the next slide to see plants and animals commonly found in this biome

Tundra

Found in the far north and on the tops of mountains.No trees are found in the tundra.It is the coldest biomeThere are two types of tundra: artic and alpine

Tundra

Arctic Tundra

• Has permafrost which stays frozen year round• Water is available and the surface is wet and

soggy• Lakes and ponds are plentiful

Alpine Tundra• Lots of sunshine and precipitation in the form

of snow• Located above the tree line of tall mountains

The tundra is located above the taiga in the northern hemisphere

Click to the next slide to see plants and animals commonly found in this biome