Transcript Biomes - Cloudfront.net

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Biomes are large geographic areas that have
a distinctive climate, with plants and animals
in that area that are adapted to that climate.
The biomes consist of:
 Tundra
 Desert
 Taiga
 Savanna
 Grasslands
 Rainforest
 Deciduous Forest
 Alpine
 Chaparral
 Aquatic (water) Biomes
Tundra
Grasslands
Chaparral
Desert-Scrub
Rainforest
Taiga
Deciduous Forest
Desert
Savanna
Alpine
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The tundra is found in the northern
regions of North America and Asia. It is
the land surrounding the north pole.
This is the world’s coldest and driest
biome. Average temperatures are -10oF
and it only receives 6-10 inches of
precipitation per year
There are 48 mammals that live here
(shrews, rodents, hares, wolves, foxes,
etc.)
There is very little plant life, just some
shrubs, mosses, lichens, and grasses.
Tundra are considered carbon dioxide
sinks and suffer greatly from pollution.
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Thick coats of fur
and fat for
warmth.
White fur to
provide
camouflage
Migration skills, for
when it gets too
cold or food
becomes scarce
The taiga is located just below the
tundra and is the largest biome.
 It is characterized by the
coniferous trees and shrubs that
grow here
 Some animals that live here are
the lynx, weasels, bobcats,
rabbits, squirrels, birds, and voles
 The winters are very cold with lots
of snowfall, while the summers
are warm and very humid
 The taiga is very susceptible to
wildfires
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Hibernation or torpor
Layer of insulating
feathers (down)
Migration
Thick waxy needles easily
shed snow and stay
evergreen
Change in color of fur or
feathers
Grasslands are characterized by large
open areas of short grasses, herbs, and
wildflowers
 There is only enough precipitation to
support grasses and a few sporadic trees
 Grasslands are usually found at the
middle latitudes in the interior of
continents
 Some animals that live there are
coyotes, wild turkeys, eagles, bobcats,
bison, dung beetles, etc.
 These have cold winters when nothing
grows and summers with warm
temperatures around 70oF
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Upper parts of grass
can die, but the root
survives until next
rain (plants grow
from root not tip)
Grazing animals (eat
grass)
Speed
This is the biome we live in, which
continues down the eastern coast and in
Northern Europe
 We receive 30-60 inches of precipitation
per year
 It is characterized by the leaf bearing
(deciduous) trees and its four distinct
seasons
 Animals such as squirrels, birds, and other
animals depend on these trees for homes
and food.
 Many animals hibernate during the cold
winter months, when less food is available
 The average temperature is about 50oF
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Trees lose leaves in
winter and have thick
bark
Hibernation or torpor
Migration during winter
Shelter finding or
making skills
Camouflage
The chaparral is very hot
and dry
 It is covered in shrubs and
cacti with very hard waxy
leaves made for retaining
water
 Animals that live there are
also adapted to the climate
 These include coyotes, jack
rabbits, praying mantis,
lizards, etc.
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Seeds triggered to
sprout by intense heat
(forest fire)
Speed (no where to
hide)
Thick waxy leaves
Water storage
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The desert is characterized by very,
very little precipitation (under 15cm
per year), which means very little
plant life.
The few plant that liver there are ones
adapted to store water and grow very
close to the ground
Deserts can be very hot or very cold,
so animals must be adapted to a wide
variety of temperatures
The animals that live there are usually
small nocturnal carnivores. Deserts
also contain many insects, arachnids,
reptiles, and birds.
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Thick waxy leaves allow
maximum water storage
and minimum water loss
Thorns on plants to
protect their stores of
water and add shade
Nocturnal predators
Heat release systems
Water storage systems
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Savannas are considered tropical
grasslands because their main
plant life is tall grasses with some
trees
Savannas are warm year round,
with lots of rain in the summer,
but very little in the other seasons
Many plants have developed bulbs
or corms for storing water during
dry months
There are many grazing animals
like gazelles, giraffes, elephants,
and zebras, which means there are
many carnivores like lions as well.
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Plants adaptations
are similar to
grasslands
Animals are too large
to be hidden by grass,
so need adaptations
such as speed and
camouflage
Migration during the
dry season
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Rainforests are characterized by
warm weather year round (6893oF), dense forests, lots of rain
(50-260 inches), and an
incredible amount of
biodiversity.
Scientists have found 100-300
different species of trees in only
one hectare (2.5 acres).
The species all show incredible
differences in their adaptations
and we think there are many
more species to be discovered
in rainforests.
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With so many different
species, competition is intense
so any adaptation will help
 Camouflage
 Specialization (specific
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symbiosis)
Warning coloration
Plants needs to be able to shed
excess water
Climbing or swimming (both fast)
Nocturnal
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Alpine biomes are found in the
mountainous regions of the world.
They are characterized by cooler
temperatures and weather that can
change very quickly
There are only about 200 species of
alpine plants because they have to
adapt to low CO2 levels and very
rocky dry substrate
These plant usually grow close to
the ground and are shrubby looking
Only warm blooded animals live
here due to the cold and they
usually migrate down the mountain
in winters
There are some insects, but mostly
goats, rodent, bears, etc.
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Plants grow low to the
ground
Evergreen
Climbing abilities
Maximize oxygen (some
birds with extra lungs)
Thick coat of fur