BiomesBiomes

Biomes are a group of ecosystems with similar climates (temperature and rainfall) and organisms. www.brainpop.com

Types of BiomesTypes of Biomes• Rain Forest

• Desert

• Grassland

• Deciduous Forest

• Coniferous Forest

• Tundra

• Freshwater

• Saltwater (Marine)

Deciduous Forest BiomeDeciduous Forest Biome• Large Trees – Shed leaves each winter • At least 50 cm of rain each year• The weather in this area changes with

the seasons

Deciduous Forest BiomeDeciduous Forest Biome• Virginia is located in this biome.

Coniferous Forest BiomeConiferous Forest Biome• Also called Boreal Forest or Taiga

• Largest Biome in World

• Most abundant plant life is coniferous trees – cone bearing

Coniferous Forest BiomeConiferous Forest Biome• The weather here is colder.

Winters have much more snow. Summers don’t get quite as warm.

• Total snowfall can reach more than 20 feet per year!!!

• Video : http://www.thewildclassroom.com/biomes/taiga.html

Rain Forest BiomeRain Forest Biome• 2 types:

– Tropical Rain Forest - found near the equator – Temperate Rain Forest – found NW USA

• Both have many species of plants & animals

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18%

Tropical Rain Forest Tropical Rain Forest BiomeBiome

• Lots of rain!!!! Wettest place on earth. It rains every day. 100 – 400 inches per year (That’s 9-30 feet)

• Very warm & humid all year long – average temp. is 80OF

• Trees form distinct layers –– Canopy – top layer of trees– Understory – 2nd layer of trees

Tropical Rain Forest Tropical Rain Forest BiomeBiome

• LOTS of plant & animals

• Most diverse place on earth!!!

• Video: http://www.thewildclassroom.com/biomes/rainforest.html

Grassland BiomesGrassland Biomes• Also Called Prairies & Savannahs• 25 – 75 cm of rain a year• Enough to rain to support grasses and

bushes, but not enough to support trees.

Grassland BiomesGrassland Biomes• Savannahs closer to equator & receive more

rain up to 120 cm.• Have scattered shrubs & small trees • Grasslands support the largest animals on

Earth• Video• http://www.thewildclassroom.com/biomes/grasslands.html• http://www.thewildclassroom.com/biomes/tropicalsavanna.ht

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Desert BiomesDesert Biomes• A desert is an area that receives less than 25cm

(10 inches) of rain per year. (Some don’t get any)

• Most deserts get very hot during the day and get very cold at night.

Desert BiomesDesert Biomes• Animals & plants have adapted to preserve

water

• Most animals are nocturnal

Tundra BiomeTundra Biome• The land here is very cold and dry.

• Very little precipitation

• Land is frozen all year (permafrost)

Tundra BiomeTundra Biome• Short summer – top layer of soil defrosts

• Mosses, grasses, shrubs & dwarf bushes

• Insects, birds, reindeer, foxes, wolves, hares

Freshwater BiomesFreshwater Biomes• Not Saltwater!!!• Account for 1/5 of Earth• 2 Groups

– Ponds & Lakes– Rivers & Streams

• Sunlight only reaches top of water• Algae is the most abundant plant in

the water biomes because photosynthesis can only occur at top layers of water

Ponds and LakesPonds and Lakes• Still water• Lakes are deeper than ponds.• Sometimes ponds are shallow

enough for sunlight to reach the bottom which lets plants grow.

Streams and RiversStreams and Rivers• The water runs

fast in these areas.

• Plants and animals must be able to survive in the fast running water

• Video : http://www.thewildclassroom.com/biomes/stream.html

Marine BiomesMarine Biomes• Salt or Brackish Water

• Oceans & Estuaries

• Plants & animals must have adaptations to survive in salt water

• Video : http://www.thewildclassroom.com/biomes/coastal.html

EstuariesEstuaries• This is where the water from the

rivers and streams runs into the ocean, making a mixture of salt and fresh water.

• Lots of sun – lots of plants