An Introduction to Biomes

Biomes are large ecological communities in response to the climate in an area. Examples of major biomes are: tundra, taiga, temperate forest, grassland, desert, savanna, tropical rainforest, and coral reef. Biomes are important because they provide habitats for plants and animals. They also help to regulate the Earth's climate.

As a result of the different climates biomes differ in,

* Climate * Animals * Plants * Precipitation * Elevation * Salinity

Terestrial Biomes

Tropical Rainforest:

Location: Near the equator

Climate: Hot (20-25C) Very Rainy (400 cm +) Flora: Abundant plants, trees form a canopy

Fauna: Many insects, plus the most biodiversity of all terrestial biomes.

For more on tropical rainforests this video will help.

Tropical Rainforest

                                                          

Grassland/Savanna

A savanna biome contains a mixture of grass and trees with the trees being spaced apart so that a canopy is not formed.

Location: Africa, Portugal,Columbia, and South Wales

Climate: Warm to Hot 

Rainfall  76.2-101.6 cm (30-40 inches).

Savanna's have a wet and dry season.

Wildlife: Home to several of the largest land animals like elephants, and giraffes.

For more on grasslands this video will help.

Grasslands

Savanna Biome

Desert

Location: Found on every continent. 

Climate: Hot, dry, cool to cold nights (-18 to  50 C)

  

 Little rain (less than 25cm)

Flora: Very little , Cacti, tumbleweed

Fauna: Little variety, many small, adapted to extreme heat or cold, and very dry conditions.

For more on deserts this video will help.

Desert Biome

Deciduous Forest

Location : Eastern US (Kennesaw, GA) Europe, East China

Climate:  Above average rainfall (75 to 125 cm),  Moderate Temp. (-30 to 30C)

Vegetation: Trees drop leaves in fall, grow in spring. Oaks, Maples, leaves that change colors

Animals: Medium variety, average number of insects.

For more on deciduous forests this video will help.

Deciduous Forest

Taiga/Coniferous Forest

Location: Northern Europe, Russia, Canada, Northern North America

Climate: Cold (-40 to 20C) Snowfall (30 to 90 cm)

Flora: Coniferous Trees

Fauna: Moose, Deer, Beavers, Reindeer, Bears

For more on the Taiga Biome this video will help.

Taiga Biome

Tundra

Location: Extreme north, Arctic

Climate: Very cold, dry (-40-18C)

Little rain/snow (25cm – 50cm)

Flora: few to no trees, limited plants, moss, lichen   (permafrost)

Fauna: Caribou, insects in summer, wolves, birds that fly south, polar bears

In addition there are marine biomes consisting of salt water and freshwater biomes.

For more on the Tundra Biome this video will help.

Tundra Biome

In addition you have marine and freshwater biomes. Marine biomes have a greater salinity than freshwater biomes. Aquatic Biomes can be divided into two major categories.

Freshwater which includes rivers, streams, lakes, ponds, and wetlands. Marine which includes the ocean and estuaries.

Aquatic Biomes

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Aquatic Biomes

Freshwater Biomes

Why we have seasons

• Location: Near equator

• Climate: Hot (20-25C)

   Rainy (400 cm +)

• Flora: Abundant plants, trees form a canopy

• Fauna:  Many insects, most biodiversity of organisms

• Location: Near equator

• Climate: Hot (20-25C)

   Rainy (400 cm +)

• Flora: Abundant plants, trees form a canopy

• Fauna:  Many insects, most biodiversity of organisms

• Location: Near equator

• Climate: Hot (20-25C)

   Rainy (400 cm +)

• Flora: Abundant plants, trees form a canopy

• Fauna:  Many insects, most biodiversity of organisms

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