Region of the biosphere that has similar communities and climate.

LAND BIOMES OF THE WORLD

Desert Biomes

LAND BIOMES:

LOCATION:Near 30º north and 30º south latitudes

CLIMATE:Less than 25 cm of rainfall per year, temperatures high during the day and cool at night

COMMON PLANTS:Cacti, thorny bushes and shrubs, small flowering plants

COMMON ANIMALS:Snakes, lizards, kangaroos, rats, roadrunners

ADAPTATIONS:Plants can store water in their stems; desert animals are usually active at night (nocturnal) & avoid heat & water loss by burrowing in the ground

Biomes: Desert Location

GRASSLAND BIOMES

Savanna (Tropical/Subtropical Grassland)

LOCATION:Mid-latitudes

CLIMATE:Irregular rainfall averaging 50 cm per year, long hot summers, cold winters

COMMON PLANTS:Tall and short grasses, few trees

COMMON ANIMALSPrairie dogs, coyotes, jack rabbits, ground squirrels, burrowing owls, bisons, elk, prong-horns

ADAPTATIONS:Grazing animals have flat teeth for grinding grasses.

Biomes: Grassland Location

Tundra

LOCATION:Northern latitudes

CLIMATE:Less than 37 cm of rainfall per year, wind, temperatures below 40ºC, summer temperatures reach 10ºC, snow & ice cover the ground most of the time

COMMON PLANTS:Grasses, sedges, mosses, lichens

COMMON ANIMALS:Musks, oxen, snowy owls, caribous, lemmings, arctic hares, arctic foxes

ADAPTATIONS:Many animals camouflage with white fur or feathers caribous migrate to warmer places during the winter

Biomes: Tundra Location

Coniferous (Boreal) Forest (also known as “TAIGA BIOME")

Chaparral (Mediterranean Scrub Forest)

LOCATION:Northern latitudes

CLIMATE:From 45 to 125 cm of rainfall per year, depending on the region; short, moderate summers; cold, snowy winters

COMMON PLANTS:Pines, firs, hemlocks, spruces

COMMON ANIMALS:Moose, black bears, elks, hares, wolves, mountain lions, hawks, red squirrels

ADAPTATION:Hoofed mammals have long legs for moving through deep snow; others animals have thick coats; evergreens have waxy leaves to prevent water loss.

Biomes: Taiga Location

Biomes: Deciduous

Forest

Deciduous Forest

Temperate Deciduous Forest

LOCATION:Mid-latitudes

CLIMATE:100 cm of rainfall per year, four distinct seasons, including hot, humid summers & cold dry winter

COMMON PLANTS:Oaks, maples, beeches, hickories

COMMON ANIMALS:White-tail deer, beavers, foxes, bobcats, hawks, racoons

ADAPTATIONS: Deciduous trees lose their leaves to reduce water loss in dry winter; some mammals hibernate

Biomes: Deciduous Forest Location

Biomes: Rainforest

Tropical Rainforest

LOCATION: Near the equator

CLIMATE: 200 cm of rainfall per year,

high temperature and humidity, no seasons

COMMON PLANTS:Tall, broad leafed trees, palm trees, vines, ferns, orchids

COMMON ANIMALS:Parrots, toucans, monkeys, snakes, lizards, beetles, termites - arboreal animalsADAPTATION: Many animals are brightly colored; they live in trees for food and protection.

Biomes: Rainforest Location

River Stream

Ponds Lakes

TWO TYPES OF FRESHWATER BIOMES

Streams and rivers compose the running waterbiomes. These biomes have continuously

flowing water.

Lakes and ponds compose the standing waterbiomes. The organisms in these biomes live

in the different parts of the water. Most of themare found on the edges and shallow portions

of the water.

The SALTWATER BIOMES includesthe vast seas and oceans. The

earth’s largest biomes which covers about 75% of the earth’s surface.

FOUR MAJOR OCEANS:Pacific Ocean

Atlantic OceanIndian Ocean

Arctic Ocean

ESTUARY- Mixture of fresh water and salt water.

- The most productive water biomes because it is very rich in nutrients.- It is a good hatching and developing ground for many kinds of fish.

Freshwater - lakes, ponds, rivers, streams

Marine - oceans Saltwater

Aquatic Biomes