Terrestrial Biomes – Chapter 21, Section 1 (pages 417-422)
Biomes are very large climatic regions that contain a number of smaller related ecosystems.
A certain biome may exist in more than one location but similar climate and inhabitants will
be found there.
How are BIOMES distinguished from each other?
Biome
Tundra
Defining
Characteristics
Cold; treeless;
permafrost; Very
short growing season
Tropical
Forests
Near equator
Very productive
Canopy
Highest species
richness
Temperate Distinct seasons
Forest
Temperate Distinct seasons
Deciduous
Forest
Taiga
South of tundra;
north of temperate
forest
Nutrient poor soil
Many species of
animals hibernate in
winter
Temperate Found in interior of
Grasslands continent
Rich, fertile soil
Climate
Producers
Consumers
Cold
Grasses
temperatures Sedges
Very little
Mosses
precipitation
Stable temp
Abundant
rainfall
Moderate
Precipitation
throughout
year(season
dependent)
Moderate
Precipitation
throughout
year (season
dependent)
Snow in the
winter
Low rainfall
Caribou
Musk oxen
Snowy owls
Artic foxes
Lemmings
Snowshoe Hare
Trees
Monkey
Epiphytes
Snakes
(mosses, orchids, Lizards
bromeliads)
Birds
Insects (beetles)
Coniferous trees Bears
(do not lose
Wolves
leaves)
Deer
Decidious trees
(lose leaves in
fall)
Ex: birch, beech,
maple, oak
Coniferous trees
Bears
Wolves Deer
Few trees
Grasses
Grazing animals
(bison)
Moose
Bear
Wolves
Lynxes
Hares
Savanna
Like grasslands
Chaparral
Periodic fires
Middle latitudes
(costal regions)
Desert
Dry
More rainfall
then desert,
less than
termperate
Alternating
wet and dry
season
Mild, rainy
winters
Hot, dry
summers
Grasses
Scattered
deciduous trees
and shrubs
Zebras
Wildebeests
Giraffes
Gazelles
Lions
leopards
Dense, spiny
Similar to savana
shrubs
Scattered clumps
of coniferous
trees
Less than
Creosote bush
Kit foxes
25cm rainfall Cacti
Lizards
Not always
Snakes
hot
Questions- Write your answers in complete sentences and thoughts on loose leaf paper.
Please answer questions 7-9 on page 369 and questions 7 – 10 on page 422.