BIOME FACT SHEET
Tundra
Lies south of the ice caps of the arctic and extend across North America, Europe
and Siberia. Characterized by a low average temperature and a short growing season
(60 days), ground completely frozen during the winters. During the growing season only
the top layer thaws, lower layers remain permanently frozen and are referred to as
permafrost. Average precipitation is about 10 to 12 cm per year. Vegetation is limited
to lichens, mosses, grasses, sedges and shrubs. Animals include reindeer, musk oxen,
caribou, wolves, arctic hares, arctic foxes, lemmings, and snowy owls.
Interesting Tundra Biome Facts:

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 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.
The Most Remarkable and Captivating Tundras in the World
1.) Scandinavian Tundra
This is the Scandinavian Montane Birch forests and grasslands ecoregion, a Palearctic
eco-region of the temperate broadleaf and mixed forests biome, located in the
Scandinavian countries of Finland, Norway and Sweden. The Scandinavian Tundra is one
of the terrestrial eco-regions determined and defined by the World Wildlife Fund.
2.) Alpine Tundra
This captivating landscape is an example of Alpine tundra. It is located in the Swiss Alps.
This type of tundra that does not contain trees because it is at high altitude.
3.) Aleutian Islands
The Aleutian Islands are a chain of more than 300 small volcanic islands, forming part of
the Aleutian Arc in the Northern Pacific Ocean. Nearly all the archipelago is part of
Alaska and usually considered as being in the "Alaskan Bush".
4.) Arctic Coastal Tundra
Another beautiful example of tundra is the Arctic Coastal Tundra. This eco-region is
located in the far north of North America. The region is an important breeding ground
for a great deal of wildlife.
5.) Greenland Tundra
Greenland Tundra is located in Sydkapp in Scoresby Sund, East Greenland. The skull on
the foreground belongs to Musk Ox. The vegetation on the area is mostly Salix glauca.
6.) Alaska Tundra
The Alaska Tundra is a bizarre example of tundra. It is treeless tundra in Alaska, USA.
Environmental Concerns







The melting of the permafrost as a result of global warming could radically
change the landscape and what species are able to live there.
Ozone depletion at the North and South Poles means stronger ultraviolet rays
that will harm the tundra.
Air pollution can cause smog clouds that contaminate lichen, a significant food
source for many animals.
Exploration of oil, gas, and minerals and construction of pipelines and roads can
cause physical disturbances and habitat fragmentation.
Oil spills can kill wildlife and significantly damage tundra ecosystems.
Buildings and roads put heat and pressure on the permafrost, causing it to melt.
Invasive species push aside native vegetation and reduce diversity of plant cover.
Taiga
Extends across North America, Europe and Asia as a belt of evergreen forests
below the tundra. Has a cold winter during which the ground is covered by deep snow.
Longer growing season (120 days) than the tundra. Summer days are warmer and
ground thaws completely. Average precipitation is between 50 and 100 cm per year.
Vegetation is pines, firs, spruce and some deciduous trees such as willow and birch.
Animals include moose, wolves, bears, lynx, deer, elk, wolverine, martens, snowshoe
hare, porcupine, rodents, birds and insects.
Interesting Taiga Biome Facts:

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.) White Spruce Taiga
The Picea Glauca Taiga is located in Denali Highway, Alaska in the United States. Alaska
Range is visible in the background.
2.) Russian Taiga
The Russian Taiga is located in the river valley near Verkhoyansk, Russia. The tree
species in this forested area are among the sturdiest in the world because at 67°N these
trees must deal with the coldest winter temperatures in the northern hemisphere.
Taigas are safe place for scientific explorations and studies such as the Plesetsk
Cosmodrome, a Russian spaceport which is situated in the taiga.
3.) Yukon Taiga
Yukon Taiga is located in Yukon, Canada. Several of the longest rivers in the world go
through the taiga such as Lena, Mackenzie, Ob and Yenisei.
4.) Scandinavian and Russian Taiga
The Scandinavian and Russian Taiga is an ecoregion is situated in Northern Europe
between tundra in the north and temperate mixed forests in the south and occupies
about 2,156,900 km² in Finland, Norway and Sweden and the northern part of European
Russia. It is the largest eco-region in Europe.
5.) East Siberian Taiga
The East Siberian Taiga eco-region is a very large bio-geographic region located in
eastern Russia. The above photo depicts the Taiga of Far East near Imeni Poliny
Osipenko village, Khabarovsk Krai, Russia.
6.) Sweden Taiga
Sweden is one of the world's most beautiful country. The Sweden Taiga is characterized
by widespread bogs and peatland. The taiga is also home to a unique flora and contains
huge deposits of carbon. The above picture was taken in a peat bog in Dalartna,
Sweden.
7.) Central Canadian Shield Forests
The Central Canadian Shield Forests are a taiga eco-region of Canada that consists of
rolling hills, lakes, bogs and rocky outcrops. The area has a cool climate with summer
temperatures averaging around 13°C dropping to a very cold -17°C in winter.
Environmental concerns
Taiga ecosystems are threatened by direct human activity and climate change. Animals
of the taiga, such as foxes or bears, have always been hunted. Their warm fur and tough
skin, turned into leather, have helped people survive in harsh climates for thousands of
years.
The most serious threat to taigas does not come from hunting activity, however.
Civilization is dependent on sturdy buildings for homes, industry, and schools. The trees
of the taiga are cut down for lumber projects, as well as paper, cardboard, and other
supplies. The export of wood and paper products is one of the most economically
important industries in Canada, for instance.
Clearcutting is the most popular type of logging in taigas. Clearcutting involves cutting
down all the trees in a designated area. This destroys habitats for many organisms that
live in and around the trees, and makes it difficult for new trees to grow. Clearcutting
also increases the risk of erosion and flooding in the taiga. Without a root system to
anchor it, a taiga’s soil can be blown away by wind or worn away by rain or snow. This
exposes the bedrock and permafrost beneath the taiga, which does not support many
forms of life.
Climate change puts taigas in danger in different ways. Warming climate contributes to
a partial thawing of the permafrost. Since this water has no place to drain, more area of
the taiga is taken over by muskegs. Few trees take root.
Warming temperature also changes animal habitats. It pushes native species out and
attracts non-native species. Animals such as the Siberian tiger are not adapted to warm
weather. Its coat is too heavy, and it stores too much body fat to thrive in a temperate
habitat. Non-native insects such as the bark beetle can infest trees such as spruce.
Millions of these insects bore into the bark of trees, laying eggs. The infested trees die.
Bark beetle infestations can kill entire forests and thousands of hectares of taiga.
Temperate Deciduous Forest
Extends across North America and Europe and lies below the taiga. Summers are
usually hot and humid and the winters are cold. Precipitation is between 75 and 150 cm
per year. Vegetation includes oak, maple, hickory, beech, chestnut, birch (all trees),
shrubs, herbaceous plants, ferns and mosses. Animals include wolves, gray foxes,
bobcats, deer, raccoons, squirrels, chipmunks, birds and insects.
Interesting Temperate Deciduous Forest Biome Facts:

The temperate deciduous forest biome is subdivided onto five zones. The zone
levels are dependent upon the height of the trees.

The temperate deciduous forest gets its name because the temperatures are
temperate meaning they are not extreme.

Temperate deciduous forests receive 30 - 60 inches of rain each year and are
ranked second only to the rainforest as the rainiest biome.

Although the average temperature is 50° F, the winter typically sees
temperatures below freezing.

The trees of the temperate deciduous forest are deciduous of course. Their
leaves change color with the season and eventually fall to the ground during
winter.

The four seasons are easily recognizable and each lasts about 3 months.

Because there are deciduous trees here, the soil is very fertile and rich with
nutrients.

Many of the trees in the temperate deciduous forest contain sap which they use
to keep their roots from freezing during the winter.

Some insects of the temperate deciduous biome cannot survive winter so they
lay eggs before they die. These eggs can survive winter and hatch once spring
arrives.

Black bears, wolves, and coyotes are very common animals that live in the
temperate deciduous forest biome.

Most animals in this biome are camouflaged with the ground so they blend in
and can escape predators.

Animals of this biome have to be extremely adaptive to deal with the ever
changing seasons.

The trees provide shelter, food, and also water for animals of this biome.

The growing season of the temperate deciduous forest lasts about six month.

The leaves of deciduous trees change color in the fall because the plant or tree
stops producing chlorophyll which is what gives them their green color.
Some famous deciduous forest locations are:




The Great Smoky Mountains National Park (USA)
Northeast China Plain (China)
The Manchurian mixed forest (Asia)
The European Temperate Deciduous Broadleaf Forest (Europe)
Environmental Problems in Temperate Deciduous Forests
People often marvel at the radiant beauty of deciduous trees that glow with vibrant fall
colors. Deciduous forests in temperate climates consist of maples, elms oaks, and other
trees that lose their leaves when seasons change. Temperate climates have cold
winters, hot summers and average temperatures of 10 Celsius (50 Fahrenheit). These
forests can feel the impact of natural forces and human activity that influence the
environment in negative ways.
The Cost of Acquiring Lumber
If you cut down trees for a living, you may create conditions that have mild to
devastating effects on life in an ecosystem. As NASA reports, "In addition to the species
lost when an area is totally deforested, the plants and animals in the fragments of forest
that remain also become increasingly vulnerable, sometimes even committed, to
extinction." The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA's) Western Ecology
Division in Corvallis Oregon reports that slowing deforestation can also help sequester
or conserve large amounts of carbon that can lead to environmental warming.
Fire and Pathogen Threats
Parasites and pathogens can have large scale effects on life forms of all types including
deciduous forests. For example, the EPA reports that a chestnut blight once "completely
restructured North American temperate deciduous forests." Pathogens may also cause
the loss of some or all members in a native species. Wildlife recreation and other human
activities near forests may lead to fire which could cause pathogen levels in forests to
increase.
Climate Change Changes Things
Thirty three percent of the country's land consists of forests. Climate change affects the
growth of those forests and can impact their productivity. Warming from higher
atmospheric carbon dioxide levels can make growing seasons longer and cause some
areas to experience more droughts. Warmer weather may also change the rate at which
insect infestations, and cause destructive storms occur. While some forests may recover
from these types of problems others may not. Wild fires resulting from warmer weather
are also a threat, especially during drought.
Deciduous Forest Facts
In addition to deforestation and overgrazing, agricultural practices have deciduous
forests exist around the world. They were also some of the first forests that people
converted to agricultural use. Broad leaves on trees in temperate deciduous forests help
provide shade for shrubs and other plants on the ground. While a wide variety of
animals and birds found homes in these forests, their populations dwindle as humans
continue to remove the trees and use the land for other purposes.
Grasslands
Found in the interiors of North America, Asia, South America and Africa and are
also called prairies. Average precipitation is between 25 and 75 cm per year. Dominant
vegetation includes grasses and wildflowers, due to the low rainfall trees do not exist
within this biome. Soil is often deep and rich and this biome has become some of the
most productive farmland on earth. Animals include coyotes, badgers, rattlesnakes,
prairie dogs, jackrabbits and ground squirrels. In Africa the grasslands are populated by
zebras, giraffes, gazelles and other large grazing animals. African grasslands are often
referred to as Savannahs.
Interesting Grassland Biome Facts:

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.
Major regional expressions:
North America: the prairies of the Central Lowlands and High Plains of the US and
Canada. The Palouse Prairie of eastern Washington state, the California grasslands, and
the desert grasslands of the Southwest are also temperate grasslands.
Eurasia: the steppes from Ukraine eastward through Russia and Mongolia.
South America: the pampas of Argentina, Uruguay, and southeastern Brazil
Africa: the veld in the Republic of South Africa
Grassland Threats
Much of Earth's grassland has been lost to agricultural development.
Grassland soil is rich, and almost anything can be grown there. But poor agricultural
practices can ruin soil and turn grassland into lifeless, barren spaces. If crops are not
rotated properly, nutrients in the soil are stripped out, and nothing can be grown for
several years. Grazing livestock destroy grassland as well. Only 5 percent of the original
prairie in the United States remains. This can have a wider-reaching impact on the
ecosystem as a whole: Compared to grassland, cropland provides few or no resources
for breeding birds.
Threats
 Continued global warming could turn current marginal grasslands into deserts as
rainfall patterns change.
 Land once incompatible with row-crop agriculture, but which provided a living to
ranching families and habitat for prairie wildlife, is being converted to row crops.
 Development of urban areas is increasingly cutting into grassland habitat.
 Drought-hardy, cold-resistant, and herbicide-tolerant varieties of soybeans,
wheat, and corn allow crops to expand into native grassland.
 Where only one crop is grown, pests and disease can spread easily, creating the
need for potentially toxic pesticides.
Deserts
Occur in regions that are too dry to support grasses with sandy and poor soil.
Rainfall is usually less than 25 cm per year. In North America a desert extends from
Mexico to the eastern part of Washington. Huge areas of desert are also found in South
America, Africa, Asia and Australia. Temperatures vary from very hot during the day and
may drop as much as 30 degrees Celsius at nighttime. Vegetation has special
adaptations for conserving water and is often referred to as succulents. These plants
include cacti, yucca, mesquite, sagebrush and creosote bush. Animals include fennec,
snakes, lizards, spiders and insects.
Interesting Desert Biome Facts:

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.
Examples of Deserts
• North America: North American Desert
• South America: Atacama, Patagonian
• Africa: Sahara, Arabian, Namib, Kalahari
• Asia: Turkestan, Takla Makan, Gobi, Iranian, Indian
• Australia: Australian
Environmental Problems
The climate is very hot and dry, which makes it very hard for people, plants, and
animals to live here. Because water is scarce, any form of life is challenged, which makes
these organisms have to adapt to their home. This also applies to the small population
of people living in the desert as well.
Humans have a huge effect on these biomes. Other than pollution being spread
around the world, industries are constantly digging for oil and fossil fuels because of its
high demand. Even though this may help other parts of the world, it is destroying the
deserts and disrupting the desert biomes. These actions can lead to extinction and it can
endanger species. People who live in deserts (specifically the Sahara) have adapted to a
nomadic lifestyle, but when they travel with their animals, they are constantly pushing
the boundaries of the desert further and further, making it larger. This can affect the
climate of the whole world, making it hotter and drier overall.
Some reasons for extinction of animals in this biome are listed below:
 "Global warming is increasing the incidence of drought, which dries up water
holes.
 Higher temperatures may produce an increasing number of wildfires that alter
desert landscapes by eliminating slow-growing trees and shrubs and replacing
them with fast-growing grasses.
 Irrigation used for agriculture, may in the long term, lead to salt levels in the soil
that become too high to support plants.
 Grazing animals can destroy many desert plants and animals.
 Potassium cyanide used in gold mining may poison wildlife.
 Off-road vehicles, when used irresponsibly, can cause irreparable damage to
desert habitats.
 Oil and gas production may disrupt sensitive habitat.
 Nuclear waste may be dumped in deserts, which have also been used as nuclear
testing grounds."1
Tropical Rain Forest
Found in areas around the equator with a fairly uniform climate throughout the
year. Average precipitation is between 200 and 400 cm per year and occurs nearly
every day. Temperatures remain constant at about 25 degrees Celsius throughout the
year. They have an enormous variety of flora (plants) and fauna (animals) and are some
of the most biodiverse ecosystems on the planet. Trees may form canopies above the
ground as much as 50 meters high. Many trees will have roots with braces, or
buttresses, that extend from the trunks to the ground to support these very tall plants.
Over 100 different varieties of plants exist in this biome and may include lianas and
epiphytes. Animals include monkeys, bats, squirrels, parrots, snakes, lizards, rodents,
tapir, antelope, deer, spiders, insects, ants, termites, bees, butterflies and moths
Interesting Tropical Rainforest Biome Facts:

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.
Locations:
Temperate rainforests are found along some coasts in temperate zones. The largest
temperate rainforests are found on the Pacific coast of North America. They stretch
from Oregon to Alaska for 1,200 miles. Smaller temperate rainforests can be found on
the southeast coast of Chile in South America. There are a few other coastal strips with
temperate rainforests, including small areas in the United Kingdom, Norway, Japan,
New Zealand, and southern Australia.
ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES
Learn about what threatens the wet, layered forest and what you can do to help.
Clear-cut swaths of the Amazon rain forest in Quiandeua, Brazil, are often planted with
manioc, or cassava, a shrub grown for its starchy root. Farmers slash-and-burn large
parcels of forest every year to create grazing and crop lands, but the forest's nutrientpoor soil often renders the land ill-suited for agriculture, and within a year or two, the
farmers move on.
More than half of Earth’s rain forests have already been lost due to the human demand
for wood and arable land. Rain forests that once grew over 14 percent of the land on
Earth now cover only about 6 percent. And if current deforestation rates continue, these
critical habitats could disappear from the planet completely within the next hundred
years.
The reasons for plundering rain forests are mainly economic. Wealthy nations drive
demand for tropical timber, and cash-strapped governments often grant logging
concessions at a fraction of the land’s true value. “Homesteader” policies also
encourage citizens to clear-cut forests for farms. Sustainable logging and harvesting
rather than clear-cutting are among the strategies key to halting rain forest loss.
Threats







Logging interests cut down rain forest trees for timber used in flooring, furniture,
and other items.
Power plants and other industries cut and burn trees to generate electricity.
The paper industry turns huge tracts of rain forest trees into pulp.
The cattle industry uses slash-and-burn techniques to clear ranch land.
Agricultural interests, particularly the soy industry, clear forests for cropland.
Subsistence farmers slash-and-burn rain forest for firewood and to make room
for crops and grazing lands.
Mining operations clear forest to build roads and dig mines.


Governments and industry clear-cut forests to make way for service and transit
roads.
Hydroelectric projects flood acres of rain forest.
Chaparral
The chaparral biome is found in a little bit of most of the continents - the west coast of
the United States, the west coast of South America, the Cape Town area of South Africa,
the western tip of Australia and the coastal areas of the Mediterranean. The chaparral
biome has many different types of terrain. Some examples are flat plains, rocky hills and
mountain slopes. It is sometimes used in movies for the "Wild West". It is characterized
as being very hot and dry. As for the temperature, the winter is very mild and is usually
about 10 °C. Then there is the summer. It is so hot and dry at 40 °C that fires and
droughts are very common. The plants and animals are adapted to these conditions.
Most of the plants have small, hard leaves which hold moisture. Some of these plants
are poison oak, scrub oak, yucca wiple and other shrubs, trees and cacti. The animals
are all mainly grassland and desert types adapted to hot, dry weather. A few examples:
coyotes, jack rabbits, mule deer, alligator lizards, horned toads, praying mantis, honey
bee and ladybugs.
Interesting Chaparral Biome Facts:

Parts of the chaparral biome exist in California, Oregon, South Africa, and
Australia.

This biome is characterized by having both forests and grassland.

The summer season is very dry and can lasts up to five months.

The dry summer makes the chaparral biome sensitive to fires.

Occasional fires in the chaparral biome are helpful because they help balance
out the living organisms and nonliving organisms.

The plants in the chaparral biome contain flammable material yet their barks
resist fire.

Some plants have adapted to the summer fires in such a way that their seeds lie
dormant until they are touched by fire.

The average rainfall is 10 to 17 inches a year.

During the winter, the temperature can get as low as 30° F and the summers can
get up to 100° F.

The average temperature in the chaparral biome is 64° F.

Majority of the animals are nocturnal, sleeping during the day then coming out
at night.

Animals living in the chaparral biome have to be able to survive on very little
water. During the summer months there is usually a drought.

Many of the plants found in the chaparral biome are also found in the desert
biome. This is because a chaparral biome normally borders a desert biome.

Some common animals of the chaparral biome are coyotes, mule deer, praying
mantis, and ladybugs.

Shrubs are plentiful in the chaparral biome because they are able to survive on
very little water. Chaparral comes from a Spanish word meaning shrub oak.
Location
Small increments of the Chaparral biome can be found spread across all of the different
continents and consists of various types of terrain including mountains and plains. This
includes





US West Coast
South America’s West Coast
South Africa’s Cape Town
Australia’s Western tip
Coast of the Mediterranean.
Environmental Issues in the Chaparral
All around the Earth, Chaparral biomes are being destroyed from pollution and human
activity. Though it is hot, the Chaparral is a popular location for homes, because of the
unique landscape and stunning view. When land is cleared for construction, the plants
and animals that call the area home are destroyed.
When suburbs build up around the Chaparral, it contributes to the air pollution
surrounding that region. This is especially a problem for California, home to areas such
as San Diego that are extremely over populated and are polluting the air too quickly. Car
emissions, light pollution, and waste contribute to the degrading of the Chaparral.
Fires are apart of the Chaparral's natural way of keeping the environment under control.
However because of the dryness of the region and human's carelessness, there are
many man made fires every year. Some fire can help the Chaparral, but man made fires
disrupt plant growth. As more and more people move into the Chaparral, the higher the
chance of fires.
Savanna
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.
PLANTS: grasses such as Rhodes grass, red oats grass, star grass, lemon grass, and some
shrubs dominate the savanna. Most savanna grass is coarse and grows in patches with
interspersed areas of bare ground. You won’t see many trees in the savanna because of
little rainfall. Occasionally, you’ll find individual trees or small groves of trees. These
mostly live near streams and ponds. The Acacia tree is an interesting plant in the
savanna. It has an umbrella shape, with branches and leaves high off the ground that
giraffes like to eat. Baobab trees also live in the savanna. They deal with dry conditions
by storing water between the bark and meat of the tree.
ANIMALS: There are many different types of animals that live in the savanna. The
species found in savannas vary by the geographic location of the biome. Animals native
to African savannas include African elephants, zebras, horses, and giraffes. Many
animals in the savanna are herbivores, which means they eat plants, and there is plenty
of grass in the savanna. During the rainy months animals thrive in the savanna, but the
rainy season is only half the year. During the dry season, surface water from the rain is
quickly absorbed into the ground by thirsty soils. The competition for water during the
dry season is so intense that most birds and many of the large mammals migrate
elsewhere in search of water. Depending on the severity of the drought, the migration
may be to a place nearby, or far away. The dry season is often associated with fires.
Many insects with short life spans die in these fires, but the birds and larger animals
are usually able to fly or run to safety. Although small burrowing animals probably can’t
outrun the flames, they often survive the fire by digging deep into the ground and
remaining there until the flames are gone. Some birds, such as the Fork-tailed Drongos,
don’t flee the fires; they actually fly to the fires. For these birds fire means dinner. They
eat the fleeing or flame-roasted insects.
Interesting Savanna Biome Facts:

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.
Locations of Savanna around the world
Tropical savannas are found in Africa, Australia, South America, India and South-East
Asia – (see map). They cover a little less than a third of the world's land surface. In
Australia, tropical savannas encompass around one quarter of Australia, stretching from
the Indian Ocean in the west to the Pacific in the east. They border desert country to the
south, rainforest on the east coast and are fringed by floodplains and peppered with
monsoon forest patches in the north.
In Africa, tropical savannas form a broad semi-circle from the western Ivory Coast across
to a southern border with northern Namibia. Approximately 45% of South America is
savanna and exists as two large patches north and south of the equator. Approximately
10% of India and South-east Asia is considered savanna.
Environmental concerns
There are many threats which assail the grassland biome of Savanna, most of which are
caused first and foremost by humans and their actions towards this place (most of
which are explained in Effects and impact of human progress), although there are still
several threats which are caused without any (or with little) human involvement.
One threat to these Savanna biomes is the animals which graze upon it. Other biomes
such as Taiga or Rainforest have a high tree quantity which means that less grass is able
to grow for animals to graze on. However, since Savannas have few trees and much
wide open space than other biomes an herbaceous layer grows much easier.
This can lead to problems because whilst the native animals to graze upon this grass are
ok, as it is natural for them to be there, however the many animals brought into the
Savannas by humans because of the great grazing conditions should not naturally be
there. These animals added with the animals which are already on this grassland
provides a great rise in the animal population. This raise in animals lessens the amount
of food available and could cause the native animals to be forced to leave or die,
upsetting the natural order of things. The lessened amount of grass can also cause a rise
in tree growth. The grasses and the trees must compete for water.
If these grasses diminish in number then the trees will no longer need to compete for
the water and the number of them will greatly increase. This will be a problem for the
animal life because they have evolved to live in an environment with few trees but lots
of grass. If the environment suddenly has lots of trees but few grass the animals will
have to either change the way which they act (adapt) or they would have to find a
better environment to call home. The grasses all being eaten not only reduces
competition for the trees but it also for the weeds. The final major affect of grazing on
the Savanna is that the hooves of the grazing animals can compact or break up the dirt,
as it is no longer protected by the grasses.
Another such threat to these magnificent biomes is exotic species of plant. There are
many forms of exotic plants species which have been introduced to Savannas all over
the world. Many of these are very serious environmental weeds such as the Prickly
Acacia, the Rubbervine, the Lantana, the Prickly Pear and the Mesquite. There are also
many herbaceous plants which have been introduced to the savanna environment such
as Rhodes grass, Giant rat’s tail grass, Buffel grass, stylos and other such legumes. These
exotic plant species can harm and alter the environment. Some ways in which these
plants do this is to alter the present fire frequency and ferocity by burning better or
worse than present plant growth, increase the grazing pressure and compete with the
native plants for sunlight and water.
One very likely and imminent threat to the Savanna biome is climate change. Climate
change is a threat which all biomes must face, although some will be affected more so
than others. Some people have claimed that because of greenhouse induced climate
change the Savanna biomes could become liable to a woody plant encroachment. This
would be a drastic alteration to the Savanna environment because at this point in time
Savannas are usually areas with few woody plants.