All about BIOMES: Rainforest & Taiga
Rainforest Biome Facts
The tropical rainforest biome is an ecosystem that covers about 7% of the Earth’s surface. They are found all over the world but
the majority of the tropical rainforest lies in South America in Brazil. The weather in the tropical rainforest is rainy yet pleasant
all year round, day or night. Rainforests are extremely important because the water they produce is evaporated and then used as
rain in other areas. The average temperature of the tropical rainforest remains between 70 and 85° F. The tropical rainforest is
very rainy as its name implies. The rainfall can reach up to 400 inches in one year. Orchids are a type of epiphyte plant that
grows in the tropical rainforest. It grows on the surface of other plants, usually trees. The tropical rainforest has hundreds of
different types of trees living there. There are over 2,500 different vine species in the tropical rainforest. Some have a thickness
that equals the circumference of a human being. Tropical rainforests are one of the oldest biomes on Earth and therefore have a
great variety of animals living there. About half of all known species of plants and animals live in the tropical rainforest. There
are some tropical rainforests that have been around since dinosaurs roamed the Earth. Most of the animals living in the tropical
rainforest live in the trees. There they can find all of their necessities and rarely have to come down to the floor of the forest.
Insects make up the majority of living creatures in the tropical rainforest. Rainforests provide people with many cooking spices
such as vanilla, allspice, and black pepper. Some people choose to live in the tropical rainforest and become farmers for the food
and spices people eat. Because of the amount of trees in the tropical rainforest biome, it is responsible for the majority of the
oxygen production in the air that we breathe. The droppings of birds in the tropical rainforest grow into new plants.
1.
What percent of Earth does the Rainforest cover?
2.
Where are most tropical rainforests found?
3.
Why is the rain in the rainforest so important?
4.
What is the rainforest biome’s average temperature?
5.
How many inches of rain falls there in 1 year?
6.
How many different species grow in the rainforest?
7.
True/False: The rainforest biome is one of the oldest biomes on Earth
8.
True/False: Only a few of Earth’s plant and animal species can be found in the rainforest biome
9.
Where do most of the animals that live in the rainforest live?
10. The majority of living creatures in the rainforest are what?
11. What food item do rainforests provide to people?
12. Why are rainforest trees so important to the Earth?
Taiga Biome Facts
The taiga biome is the largest terrestrial biome and extends across Europe, North America, and Asia. It is located right below the
tundra biome. The taiga biome is also known as coniferous forest or boreal forest. This biome typically has short, wet summers
and long, cold winters. Precipitation is moderate in the taiga. It gets plenty of snow during the winter and plenty of rainfall during
the summer. Fires are very common in the taiga biome. These fires are necessary to help rid the area of old and sick trees. There
is not much variety in plants. Majority of the plants are conifer trees which is why the taiga is referred to as the coniferous forest.
The conifer trees in the taiga biome are referred to as evergreen. This means they remain green all year round and never drop
their leaves. Because evergreen trees do not drop leaves, there is nothing to keep the soil in the taiga full of nutrients. This is the
reason why there is not much variety in the vegetation. Softwood timber is used to make paper. Majority of softwood timber
comes from the taiga biome. Although two major cities, Toronto and Moscow, are located in the taiga biome, most of this biome
is uninhabited by people. The taiga biome is very cold during the winter. Temperatures can reach as low as -60° F. For six
months out of the year, the temperature in the taiga biome is below freezing. Plants can only grow during the summer when
temperatures are favorable. This growing season only lasts about three months. Many animals of the taiga biome have to migrate
to warmer areas or hibernate during the long, cold winters. Animals of the taiga have many specialized adaptions including lots
of thick fur or feathers and the ability to change colors during different seasons. Scientists believe that the taiga biome was
completely covered by glaciers many years ago. The taiga forests are endangered due to logging and mining by humans. When
trees are cut down in the taiga, it takes a very long time to restore itself because of the very short growing season. Although there
are not many animals in the taiga biome, it inhabits millions of insects. Birds migrate there to feed off these insects every year.
The temperature change in the taiga is extreme. It is either summer (hot) or winter (cold). The spring and fall are too short to
notice.
1.
In what 3 countries can you find the Taiga biome?
2.
What biome is the Taiga located below?
3.
What 2 other names is the Taiga known as?
4.
What is the rain/snow/precipitation like in the Taiga?
5.
Why are fires helpful in the Taiga?
6.
What are conifer trees?
7.
What are winters like in the Taiga?
8.
What is the temperature like in the Taiga for 6 months of the year?
9.
What happens to many animals living in the Taiga?
10. Why are the Taiga forest endangered?
All about BIOMES: Tundra & Desert
Tundra Biome Facts
The tundra biome is an ecosystem situated near the North Pole in the Arctic Circle. It is by far the coldest of all biomes. The
winters are extremely cold with temperatures typically below -34° C. The summers last only about two months and the
temperatures are still very cold ranging from 3° to 12° C. This biome still sustains life although it encounters these extreme
temperatures. Some animals, insects, and even plants thrive there. The word tundra comes from the Finnish word tunturia which
means treeless land. Animal populations fluctuate throughout the seasons in the tundra biome. Some animals opt to hibernate
during the winter and others migrate to warmer temperatures. Because of the extreme temperatures, most organisms get their
nutrients from the decaying of dead organic material. Although some parts of inhabited areas such as in Alaska and Canada are
considered a part of the tundra biome, the majority of the tundra have not been visited by most people because of the harsh
conditions. The tundra biome is considered a carbon dioxide sink because it stores more carbon dioxide than it gives off.
There are very few trees that grow in the tundra biome. Under the snow and ice, there is a thick layer of soil that remains frozen
which does not allow deep rooted plants such as trees to grow. The tundra biome has about 400 varieties of flowers but only 48
different animals. The tundra biome is the largest of all the biomes. It covers about 20% of the Earth. Although Antarctica is not
located in the Arctic Circle, it is considered to be a part of the tundra biome because of its very harsh temperatures. The tundra
biome is the driest place on Earth. Rainfall averages ten inches a year. During the summer, it is daylight 24 hours a day.
There are a lot of oil mines and oil rigs in the tundra biome. The building of such developments often disturbs the sensitive nature
of the environment. The largest animal that lives in the tundra biome is the polar bear. They thrive on fatty meats to give them
enough energy to live through the harsh winters. There are two types of tundra = arctic tundra and alpine tundra. The arctic
tundra is located within the Arctic Circle while the alpine tundra is the area high in the mountains above trees. The plants that
grow in the tundra biome often grow in clusters to help protect themselves from the severe winter winds.
1.
Where is the Tundra located?
2.
What are the winters like?
3.
What are the summers like?
4.
Tundra means tunturia which means what?
5.
How do animals survive in the Tundra?
6.
Why do people not visit the Tundra?
7.
Why are there very few trees in the Tundra?
8.
True/False: The Tundra is the smallest biome on Earth
9.
True/False: The Tundra is the driest place on Earth
10. How much rain does the Tundra get per year?
11. True/False: During the summer it is daylight 24 hours a day
12. What is the largest animal in the Tundra?
13. What are the 2 types of Tundra?
Desert Biome Facts
The desert biome is an ecosystem that forms due to the low level of rainfall it receives each year. Deserts cover about 20% of the
Earth. There are four major types of desert in this biome - hot and dry, semiarid, coastal, and cold. They are all able to inhabit
plant and animal life that are able to survive there. Although the daytime temperatures of the desert biome are very hot, they can
get very cold at night. The Sahara Desert is the largest desert in the desert biome. It covers over 300 million square miles.
The vegetation does not grow very tall so the desert biome can only accommodate small animals, rodents, and reptiles. These
animals can escape the harsh Sun by hiding under small scrubs or hiding in burrows. Many desert animals tend to be nocturnal,
sleeping during the day and coming out at night when the temperatures are more tolerable. Because there is hardly any standing
water in the desert biome, animals either store water in their bodies or get their water needs met by the foods they eat.
Dust storms occur when the wind picks up dust from the surface. These storms can be up to 1 mile high and travel over a hundred
miles. The plants that are able to grow in the desert biome store water in their stem. They normally grow spaced out so that their
roots can extend and find water. Some deserts are so hot that when it rains, the water evaporates in the air before ever hitting the
ground. There are some deserts in Antarctica that are known as cold deserts. They are considered deserts because of the small
amount of vegetation that grows there. The driest desert on Earth receives on average 1 centimeter of rainfall every 5 to 20 years.
Because body fat retains heat, most desert animals have an adaptation that allows them to store all their body fat in one area of
their body. The camel stores all its body fat in its hump. Cacti have many adaptions to survive in the desert. Their spines protect
them from being eaten by animals and their waxy outer covering keeps moisture from escaping. Cold deserts (like in Antarctica)
have very little plants and grasses. The ones they do have only grow during the summer. The desert biome is actually a big tourist
attraction. People enjoy rock climbing, dirt biking, and hiking in the desert. The desert biome can be found on every continent
except Europe.
1.
What are the 4 major types of desert biome?
2.
How many square miles does the desert biome cover?
3.
How do desert animals escape the harsh sun?
4.
How do desert plants and animals get water?
5.
What type of storm is common in the desert?
6.
On what continent are cold deserts located?
7.
What do camels store?
8.
What do cacti use to survive in the desert?
9.
What things can people do in the desert?
10. Where can the desert biome be found?
All about BIOMES: Savanna & Grasslands
Savanna Biome Facts
The savanna biome is an area that has a very dry season and then a very wet season. They are situated between a grassland and a
forest. They can also overlap with other biomes. There are savanna's located in Africa, South America, India, and Australia.
The savanna biome is mostly made up of grass but there are a few trees. Because of the availability of grass in the savanna, there
are many grazing animals who take advantage of this abundant food supply. The savanna biome is rich with herbivores such as
elephants, zebras, gazelles, and buffalo. The largest part of the savanna biome is located in Africa. Almost half of Africa is
considered a savanna. Because of the extended periods of wet and dry climate in the savanna biome, the availability of food
changes throughout the year. Some animals go so long without water during the dry season that they barely make it alive to the
wet season. The savanna biome receives about 59 inches of rain. Majority of this occurs during the wet season. Although there
are various types of soil in the savanna biome, it is not suitable for farming. In the savanna biome, all the animals and plants are
extremely dependent upon each other for a food supply. If one species of animal were removed, the entire ecosystem would be
altered. Climate is very important in the savanna biome. If the rainfall decreases and/or the temperature increases, the animals
and plants will not be able to continue to survive. The savanna in Africa is a big tourist attraction but the introduction of vehicles
and humans into that environment is very stressful to the plants and animals there. The savanna remains warm all year long.
During the wet season, the temperature is more pleasant with an average of 63° F. There are many herbivores in the savanna
biome which also bring many carnivores. Herbivores have developed traits which help them escape predators such as being fast,
being large, or being tall. The savanna biome does have a long dry season so plants there have adapted to this climate. Some store
water in their roots and others extend their long roots deep into the ground to recover water from the water table.
1.
Where are savannas located?
2.
What herbivores live in the savanna?
3.
Where is the largest part of the savanna biome located?
4.
How many inches of rain does the savanna receive?
5.
True/False: the soil in the savanna is great for farming
6.
What would happen if the amount of rain decreased and the temperature increased in the savanna?
7.
What traits do herbivores have that help them escape predators?
8.
How have plants adapted to survive in the savanna climate?
Grassland Biome Facts
Grassland biomes are made mostly of grasses. They are said to be between a forest and a desert when it comes to rainfall. They
do not receive enough rainfall to grow trees like a forest but they contain lots of grass so they receive more rain than a desert.
Grasslands are also known as prairies, pampas, steppes, and savannas. Grassland biomes are normally situated between a forest
and a desert. In fact, grasslands surround every desert in Asia. Twenty-five percent of the Earth is covered by the grassland
biome. There is a grassland biome on each continent with the exception of Antarctica. Tropical and temperate are the two kinds
of grasslands. Tropical grasslands experience warm weather all year long while temperate grasslands are warm part of the year
and very cold during the other part. Grasslands are perfect for cropping and pasturing because its soil runs deep and is extremely
fertile. Periodic fires, whether they are human induced or occur spontaneously, are very important to the grassland to ensure that
invasive plants do not take over. Tropical grassland biomes are located in the Southern Hemisphere while temperate grassland
biomes are located in the Northern Hemisphere. The grasses in the tropical grassland biome tend to be taller than that of the
temperate because of the constant warm weather and additional rainfall it receives. Since grassland biomes have rich soil, much
of them are used for farming. There is only 2% of the original grassland left in North America. There are two seasons in the
temperate grassland: the growing season and the dormant season. Plants do not grow during the dormant season because the
climate is too cold during that time. Animals that you can expect to find in a grassland biome are zebras, lions, wolves, prairie
dogs, and foxes. The animal diversity is dependent upon the location of the biome. Large animals called bison previously ruled
the grassland biome and roamed by the millions. During the 1800s, settlers begin to slaughter them for various reasons. Since so
much of the grassland biome has been utilized for farmland, the United States has made efforts to restore the grassland by
planting grasses in areas previously used for farming. The grasslands in the United States are known as prairies and are
considered to be temperate grasslands.
1.
True/False: Grasslands grow many trees just like forests
2.
Grasslands are also known as what 4 other things?
3.
Grasslands are found on every continent except which one?
4.
What are the 2 kinds of grasslands?
5.
True/False: Grassland soil is poor for farming
6.
Why are periodic fires important to the grasslands?
7.
Tropical grasslands are found in which area?
8.
Temperate grasslands are found in which area?
9.
What percent of the original grassland is left in North America?
10. What animals can be found in the grasslands?