Biomes

The Earth has many different environments that each support a different type of ecosystem.

Biome: a major land zone that contains plants and animals living in a certain climate.

Each biome has different temperatures, amounts of rain, light, plants, animals and many other factors.

Deserts

- harsh environments- very little rainfall (dry)- extreme temperatures- limited plant and animal life- very hot or cold or both

Tundra

- the coldest biome- very low temperatures- very little precipitation - Permafrost (a layer of frozen subsoil) covers the ground

Taiga

- coniferous forest- largest land biome on Earth- cold, harsh climate- a low rate of precipitation- taiga animals are able to cope with the cold winter environment- many migrate south to warmer climates during winter; others go into hibernation.

Grassland

- grassy, windy, partly-dry biome- Deep-rooted grasses dominate the flora in a grassland; there are very few trees and shrubs

• Tropical grassland - hot all year with wet seasons

• Temperate grasslands - hot summers and cold winters- animals have adapted to dry, windy conditions

Tropical Rain Forest

- warm, wet forests- plants make oxygen and are used in new drugs that fight disease and illness- Ridiculously huge numbers of animals and plants live in rainforests- divided into different zones

Temperate Deciduous Forest

- cool, rainy areas- they have trees that lose their leaves in Fall and regrow them in Spring- receive from 2 to 5 feet of precipitation each year- rich soil enriched with falling leaves, twigs, logs, and dead organisms

Brain pop: Biomes!