BIOMES

TUNDRAFound just south of the Polar regionCircles the North PoleA treeless region due to the permafrost Populated by shallow rooted grass &

shrubsLong cold winter with a short spring

and summerSmall animals lots of insects in summerMigratory area for birds

Arctic Fox Grizzly Bear

Summer in the Tundra

Caribou

Taiga

TAIGA/ NORTHERN CONIFEROUS FOREST

Located just south of the Tundra , Northern Canada & Northern Russia

Taiga is a Russian word for ForestDominated by Coniferous Trees (Evergreens)Home to various large animalsLong harsh winters, short summersTemp. Winter -65 F to 30 F Summer 20 F

to 70 F Millions of insects in summerLong summer days, short winter days

Taiga in Summer

Taiga in Winter

Moose

Owl

Taiga Snow Melt

Rainbow in Alaska

GrasslandTropical grasslands -- those closest to the

equator are hot all year. Temperate grasslands -- farther from the

equator and have both hot summers and harsh winters.

Some areas have a wet season and a dry seasonDominated by grasses with roots that reach

deep undergroundIn South America, grasslands are called

"pampas"; in Europe, "steppes"; in Africa, "savannas".

Grazing animals, rodents, snakes, birds & insects

Grasslands in the World

Grassland in Summer

Grassland in Dry Season

Baboon

Aardvark

Bison Herd

Zebra

Elephant

Grassland Farm

DesertsNot always hot! Depends on amount of

precipitation.Located in the interior of continentsSouthwest of U.S. – Sahara in N. Africa –

Gobi in ChinaOutback of AustraliaHot during day but cold at nightAutotrophs are adapted to survive the lack

of waterHeterotrophs also adapted to the harsh

conditionsMany animals are nocturnal

Deserts of the World

Cactus Flowers Jumping Cholla

Deformed Cactus

Desert!

Camels Desert Bighorn

Spotted Lizard

Deciduous/Temperate ForestEastern U.S., Mideast of S. America, East

Coast of Australia, Europe, Eastern Russia, China

Broad-leafed hardwood trees that lose leaves annually

Mild winters and warm summers, long growing season

Rich top soilSquirrels, mice, rabbits, deer, bears, many

migratory birdsVirginia is in this biome!

Deciduous Forests

Deciduous Forest in Spring

Box Turtle Fawn

Raccoon

Deciduous Forest in Fall

Springtime in Virginia

Fall in the Blue Ridge

RainforestEquatorial regions of the world – Warm year

round!WET! 200 – 400 cm precipitation/yearMuch of the precipitation is generated by

the forest canopyMost biologically diverse biome Nutrient poor soil, most nutrients are tied

up in living materialMature rainforests have tall leafy trees

which almost totally shade the forest floorShallow roots form thick surface mats

Rainforests of the World

Sloth Rainforest Bat

Rainforest Floor

Rainforest Canopy

Forest Floor

Jaguar Jungle Lizard

Tufted Ear Marmoset

Toucan

Deforestation

2 TYPES MARINE & FRESH WATER

Aquatic Biomes

Marine Biome

Also called the Ocean BiomeAll of the oceans of the worldContains the largest Biomass (most living

material)Most Biomass is microscopic called

plankton2 Zones- Photic (sunlight enters) &

Aphotic (no light)Deep Water organisms have special

adaptations

The Ocean Zones

1.5 Meter tube worms Blow Fish

Seahorse

Manta Ray

Mammals Reptiles

Killer Whale Breaching Shark

Flying Shark?

Bad Day?!

Fresh Water BiomesAny body of fresh water! Lakes, streams,

rivers, ponds, even large puddles!Exist all over the world, in all different

environments.Some have fast moving water, some are

stagnant.Some are frozen part of the year.Animals include freshwater fish,

amphibians, mollusks, birds, river otters, snakes, etc.

Many are small, but some are large.

Delaware River

Cape Cod Frog

Catfish

Symbiotic Relationships2 or more species that live together in close

associationMutualism- both species benefitEx: shark & remoraCommensalism- 1 benefits & the other is

neither harmed nor benefitsEx:barnacle & whaleParasitism- 1 benefits the other is harmedEx: tapeworm & dog

Mutualism Commensalism

Parasitism