Biomes of the World

BIOME:

Tundra:

-rainfall and climate:

-located at far North and South latitudes and high elevations

-dominant plants:
         no trees, low vegetative cover

-dominant animals:

         -soils
                  permafrost
                 
-human disturbances
slow to heal
oil and natural gas wells in the arctic
truck ruts and tracks

Conifer Forest: (boreal forest/taiga)

-rainfall and climate:

-between 45 and 50 degrees North latitude
        
-many lakes, potholes, bogs, and fens

-dominant coniferous trees

-dominant animals

-soils
        
         -subtypes
temperate rainforest
luxuriant plant growth and huge trees

-human disturbances
timber, turpentine, and rosin

Broad-Leaved Deciduous Forest:

-rainfall and climate:

-four seasons- requires adaptations for the frozen season

-dominant trees:

-dominant animals:

-soils:

-human disturbances- most hard hit by man
trees harvested for timber

Tropical Rain Forest:

-rainfall and climate:

-located near the Equator

-dominant plants: no dominant type!

-dominant animals

-soils: thin, acidic, and nutrient-poor soil

-subtype
                 
cloud forests- high in the mountains
-fog and mist keep vegetation wet

-human disturbance
deforestation
agriculture

Grasslands/Savannas:

-rainfall and climate:
seasonal cycles for temperature and precipitation

-located in continental interiors

-dominated by perennial grasses, few trees
frequent grass fires

-dominant animals:

-soils:

-human disturbances
fire suppression
conversion into farmland
soil erosion
hunting
wetland drainage

Deserts:

-rainfall and climate:

-warm, dry, descending air creates desert bands at 30 degrees N and S

-sparse but species-rich community dominated by shrubs and small trees

-dominant plants
adaptations to conserve water and protect from predation

-dominant animals

-soils:

-human disturbances
slow to recover because of harsh climate

Activities: Who Fits Here? Career Critters, And Move Over Rover