Biomes
What Is A Biome?
If an organism is the simplest level of ecosystems,
what level would a biome be? Make a flow chart.
Biomes
Biome – A large region characterized by a specific type of
climate as well as certain plant & animal communities
Climate - The weather conditions of an area over a long
period of time including temperature, precipitation, and
humidity.
Describe the climate for a…
Desert
Temperate Forest
Why Are There Different Biomes?
Limiting Factor – An environmental factor that limits the
growth, reproduction or distribution of a species
The limiting factors in a biome are generally related to the
temperature and available water.
Biodiversity - Measures the variation within a species, or of
different species within a community
Compare the biodiversity and population density of a…
Tundra
Tropical Rain Forest
Where Are Biomes Found?
Latitude – Measures the distance north or south of the
equator in degrees
0o to 30o Latitude - Tropical Region
30o to 60o Latitude - Temperate Region
Above 60o Latitude - Polar Region
At what latitude would you expect to find a…
Savanna
Grassland
Taiga
Is There Snow At The Equator?
Altitude – Measures the height above sea level
At the base of
a mountain, such as
Mt. Kilimanjaro, there
may be thick vegetation
& high levels of biodiversity.
Continuing up the mountain, the decrease in temperature
and available water creates ecosystems that resemble
different biomes.
What type of biome would the top of
Mount Kilimanjaro resemble?
Altitude & Latitude
29,000 ft
0 ft
0o
90o
Where is the equator located in this graph?
Where are the evergreen trees located in this graph?
Identifying Terrestrial (Land) Biomes
Complete this chart using the terms
High, Average, Low and Seasonal.
Temperature Precipitation Biodiversity
Tropical Rain Forest
High
High
High
Temperate Forest
Seasonal
High
High
Taiga
Low
Average
Average
Savanna
High
Average
Average
Grassland
Seasonal
Average
Average
Desert
High
Low
Low
Tundra
Low
Low
Low
Biome Pyramid
Which layer(s) of the pyramid illustrate
0o, 30o, and 60o Latitude?
In which corner of the pyramid would you
find the highest amount of biodiversity?
Terrestrial Biomes Of The World
Color
Key
Light
Purple
Yellow
Light
Green
Brown
Light
Blue
Dark
Green
Dark
Blue
Biome
Temp.
Forest
Desert
Rain
Forest
Grass/
Savanna
Tundra
Taiga
Mountain
How many biomes are there?
8
How many biomes are there?
Although there is some disagreement among scientists on
how to divide up the Earth’s biomes, most can agree on
the following eight:
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Tropical Rainforest
Tropical Savanna
Desert
Chaparral
Grassland
Temperate Deciduous Forest
Temperate Boreal Forest
Tundra
Tropical Rainforest
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Typically found near the equator
Receives more than 200 cm of
rain annually
Temperatures typically fall
between 20oC and 25oC for the
entire year
As many as 50% of all the world’s
animal species may be found
here
Tropical Savanna
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Grasslands with a few scattered
trees
Experience a wet and dry season
Hot temperatures
Annual rainfall is between 50 and
127 cm
More species of grazing mammals
than any other biome
Desert
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Typically found between 25o
and 40o latitude
Receives less than 25 cm of
rain each year
Temperatures typically range
between 20oC and 25oC but
some extreme deserts can
reach temperatures higher than
38oC and lower than –15oC
Chaparral
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Found between 32o and 40o
latitude on the west coast of
continents
Receives between 35 and 70
cm of rain, usually in the winter
Extremely resistant to drought
and weather events
Grassland
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Because of the dry climate,
trees are found only near water
sources such as streams
Usually receives between 50
and 90 cm of rainfall each year
Summer temperatures can
reach up to 38oC, and winter
temperatures can fall to –40oC
Temperate Deciduous Forest
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Moderate climate
Most trees will lose their leaves in
the winter
Temperatures range between –
30oC and 30oC
Averages from 75 to 150 cm of
precipitation
Well developed understory
Temperate Boreal Forest
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Also known as Taiga
Typically found between 45o and 60o
North latitude
Cold climate with summer rains
Very few reptiles
Limited understory
Snow is primary form of precipitation
(40 – 100 cm annually)
Tundra
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Means treeless or marshy plain
Characterized by permafrost –
permanently frozen soil starting as
high as a few centimeters below
the surface – which severely limits
plant growth
Winter temperatures average –
34oC while summer temperatures
usually average below 10oC
Low precipitation (15–25 cm per
year) but ground is usually wet
because of low evaporation
Biome Project
You must make a project to present to the
class about a specific biome. It must include:
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4 animals and 4 plants per biome,
endangered species, and the adaptations
which allow these plants and animals to
survive
Food web
Climate of your biome including the causes of
why the climate is this way in your biome
Fun facts
Alina says that deserts are
hot because there is no
water and they are very dry.
Darnell says deserts are dry
because they are very hot.
Who is right? Explain using
evidence.
Biome
News Story with
Weather Report for
your Biome.
PSA about an
Silly Sitcom Episode
Environmental
Involving your Biome.
Problem facing Biome Must include info!
with possible solution.