Biome Notes
Tundra
-location: 55-70 degrees latitude, on high mountains above the timberline
-average temperature: -20--30 degrees F
-average rain: 10-25cm/4-10 inches annually
-type of climate: E=Polar Climate
-causes of climate: indirect sunlight due to the tilt of the earth causing seasons and days without a
sunset(summer) or days without sunrise(winter), possible high elevations causing decreased temperatures and
low air density, cold Arctic Ocean waters surround much of this biome stabilizing its cold temperatures
Local Animals: Polar Bear, Carribou, Arctic Fox, Arctic Hare, Snowy Owl, Music Ox, Rock Ptarmigan
Local Vegetation: dwarf shrubs, sedges, grasses, mosses, liches
Percentage of Earth: 8%
Fun Facts: youngest soil, low primary productivity, No Reptile or Amphibians except the Wood Frog( lives in
Arctic Ponds)
Polar Ice Caps
Latitude 0-10 - Longitude 0-360
Location: Greenland and Antarctica
Average Temperature: <10°C
Average Rainfall: 6.5 inches per year
Type of Climate: Cold and Dry
Polar ice caps form because the high-latitude regions receive less energy in the form of solar radiation from the
sun than equatorial regions. This results in lower surface temperatures.
Local Animals: Polar bears, arctic wolves, arctic foxes, lemmings, musk oxen, beluga whales, penguins.
Local Vegetation: Wildflowers, Arctic Poppies, Arctic Azaleas, Arctic Lupine, Mosses, Grasses, Lichens, Small
Shrubs
Regions cover 20% of the Earth
Taiga
Latitude: 45-75 degrees north, covers both western and eastern parts of continents of North America and
Europe/Asia
Lower precipitation rates than in other biomes – generally 200-750 mm of precipitation a year
Temperatures are variable , but characterized by long and cold winters and short, humid and warm summers
Climate is generally Dfc by the Koppen classification system! D means “humid continental”, f is enough
precipitation for all months and c is generally low temperatures
Causes of climate are latitude: far distance from sun/less direct rates in general meaning lower temperatures, but
in summer when NH is tilted t/w sun, can have up to 20 hours of sunlight, in winter 20 hours of darkness
because it’s away from the sun. Warm ocean currents from tropics flow up to Atlantic Ocean to make some
parts of Northern Europe mild
Local animals: spruces, firs, conifers, bogs, bald eagle, marshes, warblers, moose, arctic foxes, arctic wolves
Local vegetation: needleleaf, coniferous trees, evergreens, scots pine
FUN FACT! One of the biggest problems facing the taiga is acid rain. It has killed off parts of Scandanavia and
Russia.
Temperate (Deciduous) Forest
Location: Deciduous forests can be found in the eastern half of North America, and the middle of Europe. There
are many deciduous forests in Asia. Some of the major areas they are in are southwest Russia, Japan, and
eastern China. South America has two big areas of deciduous forests in southern Chile and Middle East coast of
Paraguay. There are deciduous forests located in New Zealand and southeastern Australia also. They are also
often located by oceans.
Latitude: Temperate Forests are located between approximately 25° and 50° latitude in both hemispheres.
Avg. Rainfall: 30-60 inches per year
Avg. Temperature: 50°F
Climate
• Four distinct seasons; spring, summer, autumn, and winter.
• Summer months usually begin in early June and end in late August. Winter months don't begin until
December.
• Cold winters, hot summers (big range).
• Mild rain.
Cause of the Climate: The ocean and the wind are two big factors of why the temperature and climate change so
much in this biome. Exposed to warm and cold air masses. Earth tilted on its axis
Percentage of Land Covered By This Biome: 30%
Interesting Fact: Many of the trees in temperate forests contain sap which they use to keep their roots from
freezing during the winter.
Chaparral
Approximate Position: 30-50 degrees N and 30-50 degrees S latitude
Temperature: 30-100 degrees Average 64F
Rainfall: 10-17 inches all year, mostly in winter
Type of Climate: mid-latitude climate
- Cs (C= warm temp climates, s= dry season in the summer)
What Causes Climate?
-Lie in best of westerly winds (most Chaparral biomes lie on west side of continent). Created when cool
ocean water merges with a land mass of high temperature.
Local Animals:
- Muledeer, wood rats, chipmunks, lizards, and hares
Local Vegetation:
- Cacti, Poison Oak, Shrub Oak, Evergreen Shrubs (have leather like leaves to resist water loss)
How Much Does the Chaparral Biome Cover?
- Found in five regions which make up 2% of land, but contain 20% of plant diversity
Fun Fact
- Plants in Chaparral contain flammable material yet their barks resist fire
Tempurate Grasslands (AKA: Prairie, Steppe,Pampus)
Location: 23.5o latitude (Tropics of Capricorn and Cancer)
Temp: Summer highs of 100o F. Winter
Rainfall: 20-35 in (55-95cm)
Climates: GROUP C: Temperate climates (two seasons)
Causes of climate: In America the Rocky Mountains reduce the moisture in the air causing dry areas good for
grass growth. Natural fires help to keep clear trees and large shrubs for better grass growth. Because of their
locations, these areas are affected by the change in direct sunlight during the year.
Local Animals: Low diversity- bison, prairie dogs, wolves, ferrets fox
Local Veg: Grasses, small shrubs, some trees, flowers
13% of the earth’s land mass is temperate grasslands
Fact: Soil in these areas is very rich with nutrients and has mostly been ruined by excessive farming.
Tropical Forest
Average Position on Earth: 0- 30 latitude, primarily centered around the equator
in-between the Topic of Cancer and the Tropic of Capricorn
Average Temperature: 68-98 F
Average Rainfall: 125-660 cm. (50-260 in.)
Tropical Wet climate
Local animals: spider monkey, red-eyed tree frog, gorilla, toucan, boa constrictor, tree snail, sloth, leopard
Local Vegetation: venus fly trap, orchids, buttress roots, mangroves, strangler figs
Interesting Facts: produces 40% of the world’s oxygen, average humidity ranges between 77 and 88%, 4 layers
of trees: emergent, canopy, understory, and forest floor. More than 2/3 of all the world’s plants originate from
the Tropical Forests also known as the “world’s largest pharmacy;” home to many medicines
The position of the tropical forest determines its warm and humid climate. Due to it’s location on the equator,
the forest receives direct and large amounts of sunlight. This leads to evapotranspiration, which is when the
water vapor released from plants on land is combined with evaporation of ocean water (hence why the forests
are close to the ocean). The rising hot air cools and sheds moisture, causing constant and heavy rainfall.
However, local variation can also be great due to the trade winds, ocean currents, landmasses, and mountain
ranges, which is basically saying not all tropical forests are alike due to where they are located.
Desert
12% of the world is desert
Average temps range from 43 to 49°C
15 to 26 cm per year of precipitation
Most animals are nocturnal
Plants have adapted to hold water for a very long time
Found 30 degrees latitude to the North and South
SAVANNAH
Climate:
Wet/Dry around 68-78 degrees (F) in winter, 78 to 86 degrees (F)
Wildfires are common due to the dry climate
Köppen Climate Group: Aw
The A stands for a tropical climate, and the w for a dry season in the winter.
Section on earth:
Africa, strips across central and eastern Africa, most famous are the Serengeti Plains of Tanzania. Some spots
in: northern Australia, India and brazil
Lat/Long:
15 degrees N, 30 degrees S, and 15 degrees W, 40 degrees E
Causes:
Very porous thin layer of organic matter, allows rain to drain quickly, not suitable for farming. Usually on large
flat expanses of land.
AVG:
Rainfall: 59 inches of rainfall a year
Area: 2.5 million mi2 in South America,
Animals:
Zebras,Lions, Elephants, Giraffes. Land animals with hooves and long legs used for great migrations,while
birds have large wingspans to travel great distances. The saltwater crocodile lives in the Australian savannah,
which is the world’s largest reptile.
Vegetation:
The plants in the savannah have long tap roots that can reach deep in the water tables, thick bark to resist annual
fires, trunks that can store water, and leaves that drop of during the winter to conserve water
Acacia Trees