Terrestrial Biomes
1
Biomes- Community in a food web all
adapted to particular abiotic conditions. So,
the abiotic factors determine the biome!
Major Terrestrial Biomes:
• Tundra
• Taiga
• Temp Deciduous Forest
• Tropical Grasslands
• Temperate Grasslands
• Tropical Rainforests
• Chapparal
• Desert
Abiotic factors determine biomes
Terrestrial Biomes
•Latitude- Earth/sun
relationship; angle of
rays; # daylight hrs
•Global atmospheric circulation
•Global ocean circulation
•Coastal/Continental
•Topography- Elevation
Biome Vegetation
Temperature & Precipitation
4
Biome Vegetation, Latitude, and
Altitude
Latitude: Distance north or south of the equator measured in degrees
Altitude: Height of an object above sea level
5
Terrestrial Biomes Map
6
Tundra
•
•
•
•
•
Northern Arctic Pole regions
Long, cold winters
Little precipitation
Short growing season
Treeless w/mosses, lichens,
shrubs
• Permafrost
• Bogs in summer
• Musk Oxen, Snowy Owls,
arctic foxes, caribou, migratory
birds, insects
Taiga
Boreal Forest
• Northern Europe, Asia and
N.America
• Largest biome
• Cold w/long winters & high
snowfall
• Summers bring nearly
constant daylight
• Coniferous Forest
• Moose, Bear, Wolves,
• Snowshoe Hare
Temperate
Deciduous Forest
• North Eastern US, Western
Europe, Eastern Asia
• Extreme temp differences
between winter & summer
• 4 distinct seasons
• Trees lose their leaves
• Birch, beech, maple, oak
• Deer, fox, coyote,
chipmunks/squirrels
Tropical Grasslands (Savannas)
• Central S.America, Central Africa,
N.Australia, India
• Wet & dry seasons, but warm
year round
• Scattered trees, grasses, shrubs
• Giraffe, zebra, antelope, lions,
hyenas
• Plants w/vertical leaves, large
horizontal roots, thorns
Temperate Grasslands
(Prairies/Steppes)
• Interior of N. America, S. America, Asia
& Africa
• Nutrient rich, fertile soils
– Slow decay
• Hot summers/cold winters
• Moderate rain, but not enough to
support trees
• Tall & short grasses, flowers & herbs
w/deep root systems
– Drought & Fire
• Antelope, bison, owls, prairie
dogs & prairie chickens
Quic kTime™ and a
dec ompres sor
are needed to see this pic ture.
Tropical Rain Forest
• Around the Equator- SE Asia, C &
S.America, Africa
• Wet, Hot, & Humid
• >200-450cm rain/year
• Strong sunlight all year
• Nutrient poor soils (fast decay)
• >1/2 of worlds plant & animal species
• Produce 40% of Earth’s oxygen and~1/4
of all medicines
• Covers 7% Earths surface
(used to be 20%)
Temperate Rain Forest
• Pacific NW US (Wa), Central
Europe, Australia, New
Zealand
• High Precipitation &
Humidity; Moderate Temps
(cool and moist)
• Evergreen trees draped in
lichens & mosses
• Ferns
• Frogs, bears, wolves,
red pandas, wombats
Chaparral
• West coastal regions of the
Mediterranean, US, Chile, Africa,
Australia
• Temperate shrubland
• Moisture and temps b/w
grasslands and deserts
– Dry, coastal climate, little/no rain in
summer
• Small shrubs w/leathery leaves
(water) & oils (fire)
– Herbs like Sage and Bay
• Animals adapted to both
– Quail, lizards, snakes
QuickTime™ and a
decompressor
are needed to see t his picture.
Deserts
• The Americas, Asia Australia,
& Africa
• Precipitation (rain) less than
25cm/year
• Scattered vegetation & dry
• Very hot days, cold nights
• Plants & animals adapted for
little moisture
• Cacti (succulents)
• Thorny devil, hawks, tortoise,
camels
Terrestrial Biomes
Self-Check
1. What is a biome?
2. What are the major terrestrial biomes?
3. What are the abiotic factors that dictate
terrestrial biomes?
Terrestrial Biomes
Self-Check Answers
1. What is a biome? Groups of ecosystems with organisms
adapted to particular abiotic factors
2. What are the major terrestrial biomes? Tropical
Rain Forests, Temperate Deciduous Forests,
Taiga, Tropical Grassland, Temperate Grassland,
Chaparral, Deserts, and Tundra
3. What are the abiotic factors that dictate
terrestrial biomes? Latitude, global wind & ocean
currents, proximity to water (coastal or inland),
topography (elevation).
Terrestrial Biomes
Self-Check
4. Which biome has more nutrient rich soil- Rain
forests or grasslands?
5. What are epiphytes?
6. What two factors help determine the type of
vegetation in an ecosystem?
7. How are tundra and desert biomes similar?
8. In which biome do plants tend to have the
deepest root systems?
9. Describe two adaptations animals have to help
them survive in their biome.
Terrestrial Biomes
Self-Check Answers
4. Which biome has more nutrient rich soil- Rain forests or
grasslands? Grasslands- slow decay returning nutrients
to the soil
5. What are epiphytes? Plants that use the surface of a
tree to grow.
6. What two factors help determine the type of vegetation
in an ecosystem? Temperature & Precipitation
7. How are tundra and desert biomes similar? Low Precipitation
8. In which biome do plants tend to have the deepest root
systems? Temperate Grasslands (Tall prairie grasses)
9. Describe two adaptations animals have to help them
survive in their biome. Camouflage, nocturnal, thick skin,
body armor, long necks & tongues
Terrestrial Biomes
Self-Check
10. Describe two adaptations plants have to help
them resist drought and fire.
11. Compare and contrast biomes and
ecosystems.
12. As moisture decreases, what happens to
vegetation in a biome?
13. What is the relationship between roots and
erosion?
14. What is permafrost? How does permafrost
contribute to the preservation of animals
remains like mammoths?
Terrestrial Biomes
Self-Check Answers
10. Describe two adaptations plants have to help them resist drought and fire.
Thick, fleshy leaves, leathery leaves, waxy leaves and deep vertical
roots, dense layers of roots, leaves with oils.
11. Compare and contrast biomes and ecosystems. Biomes are large regions
characterized by particular climate, and types of plants and animals. An
ecosystems is a particular community plus the abiotic factors. Ecosystems
can be groups into biomes.
12. As moisture decreases, what happens to vegetation in a biome?
Direct relationship- So, vegetation decreases as moisture decreases
13. What is the relationship between roots and erosion? Large roots/root
systems hold the soil in place.
14. What is permafrost? How does permafrost contribute to the
preservation of animals remains like mammoths? Permafrost is the layer
of soil in the tundra that remains frozen. Cold temps and frozen ground
of the tundra slows bacterial growth so organisms don’t decompose as
quickly.