Chapter 3.

2 – Terrestrial Biomes
• Biome – a large group of ecosystems that share the
same climate and have similar types of communities.
• Climate – average weather conditions in a specific
area, determined by latitude and elevation.
• Biomes are classified mainly by climate and the
characteristics of their plants and rainfall.
Desert
tundra
Tropical savanna
Temperate grassland
Boreal forest/taiga
Tropical rainforest
Temperate deciduous forest
 Chapter 3.2 – Terrestrial Biomes
• There are 6 Main Terrestrial Biomes:
1. Desert
2. Tundra
3. Grassland
4. Deciduous forest
5. Taiga
6. Tropical rainforest
 The Desert
• Climate – very hot days, cool nights
– Precipitation is <10 in/yr
• Plant life:
– Very little plant life
– Cacti
– Yuccas
– Grasses
– Few trees
 The Desert
• Animal life: • Sahara Desert in Africa
– Rodents is home to:
– Snakes – Camels
– Lizards – Gazelles
– Tortoises – Antelopes
– Some birds – Foxes
– Wild Gerbils
 The Tundra
• Climate – very cold, harsh and long winters;
short and cool summers
– Precipitation is 4 – 10 in/yr
 The Tundra
• Animal life:
– Artic foxes
– Snowshoe hares
– Owls
– Polar Bears
 Grasslands
• Climate – cool in winter, hot in summer
– Precipitation 10 – 30 in/yr
 Grasslands
• Animal life: • African Grasslands:
– Prairie dogs – Elephants
– Foxes – Lions
– Snakes – Zebras
– Insects – Giraffes
– Various birds
 Deciduous Forest
• Climate – relatively mild • Plant Life:
summers and cold – Hardwoods
winters • Oaks, Beeches, Hickories
and Maples
– Precipitation – 30 – 50
in/yr
 Deciduous Forest
• Animal life:
– Wolves
– Deer
– Bears
– Amphibians
– Reptiles
– Insects
 Taiga (Boreal Forest)
• Climate – very cold • Precipitation – 20 in/yr
winters, cool summers
 Taiga
• Plant life: • Animal life:
– Spruce – Rodents
– Fir – Lynx
– Evergreens – Sable
– Ermine
– Caribou
 Tropical Rainforest
• Climate – hot all year • Plant life:
round – Greatest diversity
• Precipitation – 80 – 100 – Vines
in/yr – Orchids
– Ferns
– Wide variety of trees
 Tropical Rainforest
• More species of insects,
reptiles and amphibians
than anyplace else.
• Lots of diversity in
organisms!!!