BiomesSNC1L Science

What are Biomes?

• Large regions of the world with similar• CLIMATE, PLANTS & ANIMALS

• Areas with different biodiversity• They help regulate global climate• Humans live in them & use them for

natural resources, food… sometimes, a little too much!

Major World Biomes • Deserts

• Grasslands • Forests:

Deciduous Coniferous Mixed & Tropical

• Tundra• Also Aquatic &

Marine!

Desert Biome• High Temperatures• Low Precipitation• Short growth season• Poor soil quality• Slow decomposition• Succulent plants, tap

roots, cacti• Reptiles, birds;

mammals with short fur, long extremities.

Tropical Forest Biome• High Temperatures

• High Precipitation• No seasonal change• *Poor soil quality• Fast decomposition• Very tall trees create

a canopy; lower in understory

• Colourful birds & amphibians; well-camoflauged mammals

Canada’s Biomes• Tundra• Grasslands • Boreal

Forests• Deciduous

Forest• Coastal

Forest• Mountain

Tundra

Boreal

Deciduous

Mountain

Coastal

Grassland

Tundra Biome• Low Temperatures• *Low precipitation• V.Short growth

season• Poor soil quality -

Permafrost• Slow decomposition• No trees; mosses,

lichens, small plants• Seasonal colour

change in animals; migrators.

Boreal Forest Biome• Low – Moderate

Temp.• Low precipitation• Short growth season• Acidic soil• Faster decomposition• Conifers, lichens• Hibernating mammals• Animals that can

consume conifer needles & seeds.

Deciduous Temperate Forest• Moderate Temp.

• Moderate precipitation

• 6 mon. growth season• Rich soil• Fast decomposition• Deciduous trees• Migratory birds• Wide diversity of

mammals• Most biodiverse

biome!

Grasslands Biome• Mod. - High Temp.• Moderate

precipitation• 5 mon. growth season• Fairly fertile soil• Fast decomposition• Tall grasses, shrubs• Drought tolerance• Burrowing animals• Reptiles, diverse

mammals & birds

Ecotones• Transitional Areas

where two biomes ‘meet’ & cross over:

• Taiga = T/BF ecotone• Scrub = G/BF

ecotone• Mixed Forest =

ecotone of DF/BF or DF/G