11-5 What are biomes
Biomes The average weather of an area over a long period of time is the area’s climate.
Climate helps determine the kinds of plants and animals that live in an area. A biome is a
large region that has similar plants and animals regardless of where on Earth it is located.
Each biome has a particular climate and type of soil.
Seven Major Land Biomes Particular kinds of organisms live in different biomes. Biomes
often are named for their most common plants. Earth’s land areas are divided into seven
major biomes.
 The tundra is found in the far north. The ground is permanently frozen. Mosses,
lichens, grasses, small flowers, and shrubs are the only plants that can survive in the
tundra. Animals that live in the tundra tend to be birds, wolves, foxes and reindeer.
 South of the tundra is an area with a cold climate called the taiga. The taiga receives
enough rainfall for trees to grow. Coniferous forests made up of evergreens cover
the area. Many animals, such as a moose, squirrels, rabbits, and beavers, live in the
coniferous forest biome.
 South of the taiga is a region with a moderate climate. This biome, called the
temperate deciduous forest, has a long growing season followed by a cold winter.
Deciduous trees, such as oak, maple, and birch, grow well here. Unlike the needles
of evergreens, the leaves of deciduous trees fall off in autumn. Many kinds of birds
and animals live in the deciduous forest biome.
 Some areas have a moderate climate but not enough rain for tall trees to grow.
These areas are grasslands. There are two biomes that can be considered
grasslands—the temperate grasslands and the savannas. Temperate grasslands can
be found in the interior of continents. Because of their rich soils, much of the
temperate grasslands have been used for farming. Savannas are similar to
temperate grasslands but are found closer to the equator. Large herds of animals
feed on the many kinds of grasses that grow in this biome. Savannas also have some
scattered trees and shrubs.
 Tropical rain forests occur in areas near the equator. These regions receive large
amounts of rainfall and are hot all year. Tall trees and many kinds of plants grow
well in tropical rain forests. Many different animals also live in this biome.
 Deserts form where temperatures are moderate or hot, and where there is very
little rain. Very few plants can grow in desert biomes. The plants that do grow in
this biome, such as cacti, must be well suited for hot, dry conditions. Many kinds of
animals, such as birds, lizards, and scorpions, live in the desert.
Other Biomes In addition to the major land biomes, there are other minor biomes.
These include the polar ice biome and the chaparral zones. The polar ice biome
surrounds the North and South Poles and has extremely cold temperatures. This biome
is composed of thick sheets of ice and may appear lifeless. However, large populations
of penguins live in the polar regions near the South Pole.
The chaparral is found in coastal areas that have mild and rainy winters and long, dry
summers. Some of the plants in this biome have adaptations that help them regrow
after frequent fires. These fires occur during lightning storms in the dry summer
months. Some example of chaparrals are along the coasts of California and the
Mediterranean.
11-5 What are biomes?
Lesson Review
Write true if the statement is true. If the statement is false, change the underlined
term to make the statement true.
___________________ 1. A biome that has permanently frozen soil is the desert.
___________________ 2. A large region of Earth with particular plant and animal communities is called
a taiga.
___________________ 3. The average weather in an area over a long period of time is the area’s climate.
___________________ 4. The biome, which is made up largely of trees that shed their leaves in the fall,
is the coniferous forest biome.
___________________ 5. Pine trees are a feature of the coniferous forest biome.
___________________ 6. The tropical rain forests are located in regions near the equator.
___________________ 7. A biome that has hot-to-moderate temperatures and very little rainfall is the
tropical rain forest biome.
___________________ 8. Large herds of animals often are found grazing in deserts.
Skill Challenge
Skills: researching, mapping
Use reference materials to determine the biomes where each of the following
animals and plants can be found. Then, write the name of one or more locations
included in that biome. Use a world map or a globe for help.
BIOMES
Organism
1. Penguin
2. Giraffe
3. Whale
4. Cactus
5. Maple tree
6. Bison
7. Wolf
8. Jaguar
9. Caribou
10. Orchid
Biome
Locations
Using Biomes
Enrichment Activity for Lesson 11-5
Skills: applying information, relating facts, recognizing relationships
In the table below, write the name of the biome that is best suited for each activity.
Give your reasons for choosing each biome. You may use reference materials if
necessary.
CHOOSING BIOMES
Activity
1. Logging hardwood trees,
such as oak and hickory
2. Cattle ranching
3. Collecting plants to test
medical use
4. Building a small city
5. Camping and hiking
6. Establishing a wildlife
preserve
7. Looking at stars
8. Farming and growing such
crops as wheat and corn
9. Logging spruce and fir for
lumber and pulpwood
10. Establishing an oil well
11. Fishing
12. Building a hydroelectric
dam
Biome
Reasons
CHECKING CONCEPTS
1. The coldest biome is the
.
2. The biome that is hot and wet is the
.
3. The biome that occurs in coastal areas with mild, rainy winters is
the
.