Biomes
The biosphere is divided into major area called biomes [BY-ohms]. A biome is determined mainly by its
climate-like temperature and rainfall. Each biome has a different climate. Climate, in turn, affects the
soil, vegetation and animal life. The earth’s land areas are divided into seven MAJOR biomes.
1. Climate-is a measure of the average pattern of variation in temperature, humidity, atmospheric
pressure, wind, precipitation, atmospheric particle count and other meteorological variables in a
given region over LONG PERIODS of time.
2. Weather- is SHORT TERM fluctuations in temperature, humidity, atmospheric pressure, wind and
precipitation.
3. Precipitation- is any product of the condensation of atmospheric water vapour that falls under
gravity. The main forms of precipitation include drizzle, rain, sleet, snow, and hail.
1. TUNDRA
 Tundra is a biome where the tree growth is hindered by low temperatures and short
growing seasons.
 Tundra occurs in the far Northern Hemisphere
 Permafrost- the soil is at or below freezing for more than 2 years
 Coldest of all biomes: -34° C (-30° F), but the average summer temperature is 3-12° C
(37-54° F)
 Vegetation: low shrubs, sedges, reindeer mosses, liverworts, and grasses, 400 varieties
of flowers and lichens
 Animals: reindeer, artic foxes, lemming, voles, caribou, mosquitoes and wolves
BOREAL (TAIGA) CONIFEROUS FOREST
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It is a biome with a cold climate in the winter and warm humid summers. -40°C to 20°C, average
summer temperature is 10°C
Location: Canada, Europe, Asia, and the United States
Precipitation: 300 to 900mm of precipitation
Vegetation: predominantly evergreen (coniferous/cone bearing trees), shrubs, ferns and mosses
Animals: squirrels, moose, birds and insects
TEMPERATE DECIDUOUS FOREST
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Summer may be very hot and winters may be very cold. This biome has four distinct seasons.
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 that they are in
are southwest Russia, Japan, and eastern China.
Precipitation: 800- 1800mm per year
Vegetation: Deciduous (leafy) trees, ferns, shrubs, grass.
Animals: bears, squirrels, racoons, foxes, cardinal, blue jay
TROPICAL RAIN FOREST
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This biome is very warm 24-34 degrees Celsius and very moist at all times. It receives plenty of
sunshine and rain. This area has excellent plant growth and soil development. Plants grow thick
and tall. Has the greatest biodiversity (most different number of different species).
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Location: South America, Africa, and Southeast Asia.
Precipitation: 1500mm to 4000mm per year
Vegetation: canopy trees, orchids, vines etc.
Animals: 40 to 100 species in 2.4 acres- monkeys, insects, jaguars, reptiles, amphibians, brightly
coloured butterfly
GRASSLANDS
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Grassland biomes are large, rolling terrains of grasses, flowers and herbs. This biome contains
temperatures similar to the deciduous forest but receives much less precipitation. (38° to -40° C)
Location: Savannah-large areas of Australia, South America, and India. Temperate- Canadian
prairies, South Africa, and Argentina
Precipitation: as little as 15.24 cm (6 inches) or as much as 25.4 cm (10 inches) of rain a year.
Vegetation: Grass, shrubs, wheat and corn.
Animals: small burrowing animals, gazelles, zebras, rhinoceroses, wild horses, lions, wolves,
prairie dogs, jack rabbits, deer, mice, coyotes, foxes, skunks, badgers, blackbirds, grouses,
meadowlarks, quails, sparrows, hawks, owls, snakes, grasshoppers, giraffes, zebras, buffaloes,
kangaroos, mice, moles, gophers, and spiders.
DESERT
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A desert biome is very dry, receiving very little rainfall. Deserts are very hot during the day, but
cold at night. Soil is very dry and poor which can only support limited plant and animal life.
Location: North-America, South-America, Africa, and Southern Asia.
Precipitation: less than 50cm per year.
Animals: lizards snakes and camels
Other:
Marine: stabilizes global climate, releases heat during the winter and absorbs
heat during the summer. Plant life includes algae and seaweed. Animals include whales, lobster, cod
dolphins, tuna, and barnacles.
Freshwater: not as stable as marine biome as it is constantly changing its size, populations etc. Typical
plants include grasses, ferns and lily pads. Animals include trout, muskrat, beaver and clams.