Biomes of the World
 A biome is a geographic area characterized by certain types of plant and animal communities.
 A biome contains a number of smaller but related ecosystems.
 A biome is not a specific place, but refers to anywhere on earth that has a particular type of
ecosystems working together.
 Temperature and rainfall are the two major abiotic factors that influence life in a biome.
Tundra
Major Characteristics: ___Cold, contains permafrost and lots of shallow-rooted plants____
Average Yearly Rainfall: ___30-50 cm____________________________________________________
Average Temperatures: ___Summer: 12 C, Winter: -26 C_________________________________
Coniferous Forest or Taiga
Major Characteristics: _____Long, cold winters and mainly evergreen trees___
Average Yearly Rainfall: _____35-75 cm____________________________________________
Average Temperatures: _____Summer: 14 C, Winter -10 C_____________________________
Rainforest
Major Characteristics: ___Most biologically diverse biome, most animals live in canopy, warm and rainy_____
Average Yearly Rainfall: _____Up to 400 cm_________________________________________
Average Temperatures: _____Daytime: 34 C, Nighttime: 20 C__________________________________
Deciduous Forest
Major Characteristics: ____Contains trees that lose their leaves. Warm summers and cold winters._____
Average Yearly Rainfall: _____75-125 cm______________________________________
Average Temperatures: _____Summer: 28 C, Winter: 6 C________________________________________
Grassland
Major Characteristics: ____Mainly grasses and flowers for vegetation and few trees, many herbivores,____
Average Yearly Rainfall: ___25-75 cm___________________________________________________
Average Temperatures: ___Summer: 30 C, Winter: 0 C_____________________________________
Savanna
Major Characteristics: Scattered clumps of trees, wet and dry seasons, most abundant group of large herbivores
Average Yearly Rainfall: __150 cm__Average Temperatures: ___Dry Season: 34 C, Wet Season: 16 C__
Desert
Major Characteristics: Very hot and dry, plants grow far apart and have shallow roots, animals active at night when it is cooler
Average Yearly Rainfall: Less than 25 cm
Average Temperatures: Summer: 38 C, Winter: 7 C
Water Biomes:
Marine Biome: Ecosystems based around salt water (oceans/seas). Ecosystems vary by temperature, amount
of sunlight penetrating the water, distance from land, and depth of water.
Estuary : Salt and freshwater come together ex: Chesapeake bay . Animals include: crab, salmon, heron.
Freshwater: Low salt concentration including rivers, lakes, ponds, streams, swamps, marshes, and wetlands.
Land Biomes Map:
Water Biomes Map: