We can divide Earth into large climatic zones, depending

Curious Scientist on the type of climate in each zone.

• The tropical zone is located between the Tropic

How many types of Cancer and Tropic of Capricorn. Temperatures

are very high here because the sun’s rays are
perpendicular to Earth’s surface.

of ecosystems can • There are two polar zones. One is in the northern
hemisphere, north of the Arctic Circle. The other is
in the southern hemisphere, south of the Antarctic
you name? Circle. Temperatures near the poles are very low
because the sun’s rays are less direct in these zones.
atu
red Ap
p
• There are also two temperate zones, one in each
1 Answer the following questions. hemisphere. They extend from the tropics to the

Fe

s
polar circles. The temperatures in these areas vary
1. Do all areas on Earth have the same climate? Why?
from season to season because the time the sun is
in the sky changes drastically during summer
and winter.
2. What climatic zones are there?
• There are also arid zones, with a severe lack of
water, and Mediterranean zones, with rainy winters
and dry summers.

3. Why is it hotter at the equator than at the poles? The distribution of these zones generally depends on their
distance from the equator. Within each zone, distance from
oceans and altitude also cause climatic differences.

KEY WORDS
arid
climatic difference
Mediterranean
polar
temperate
tropical

MAP KEY

Polar Temperate Arid Tropical Meditarranean

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 A biome is a group of ecosystems that share a similar climate and 2 Answer the following questions.
types of plants and animals. Specific plants and animals occur in
1. What is a biome?
each type of biome. Each biome is in a specific climatic zone.

Some examples of biomes located in warm zones are deserts and

tropical forests. The desert is a biome where there is little water and
few plants. The temperatures are very high during the day and low
during the night. Camels and coyotes are among the animals in a
2. What are the different types of biomes?
desert. Tropical rain forests are very humid and warm, with much
rain. They have a lot of trees. Toucans and monkeys can be found here.
3. What different biomes occur in
Some examples of biomes located in temperate zones are chaparrals,
Earth’s climatic zones (tropical, polar,
prairies, and steppes. A chaparral has evergreen plants and bushes
temperate, and dry)?
adapted to the hot, dry summers. Typical plants are oak and thyme;
rabbits and wild boars live here. Prairies and steppes are large
plains covered with grass. There are few trees. Prairie dogs and
antelope are some of the animals that live here.

Some examples of biomes located in cold zones are tundras and

boreal forests. A tundra biome has very low temperatures and
little precipitation. Lichens and small plants, like moss, grow in a
tundra. Reindeer and the arctic fox live here. Boreal forests are cold 4. Can the same living things live in
zones. Characteristic plants include lichens, pine trees, and fir trees. different biomes? Explain.
The ground of boreal forests is covered with ice and snow for many
months. The beaver and the Canada lynx live in this biome.

5. Can the same country have different

biomes? Explain with an example.

WORK IT OUT!
Do the activity Wildlife
using what you’ve
learned.

MAP KEY

Ice sheet and Taiga Mixed and deciduos Steppe Desert

polar desert Montane (alpine forest Savanna Mediterranean
Tundra tundra and Tropical rainforest vegetation
montane forest)

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 3 Complete the biomes graphic organizer with the information you have learned.

Biome General caracteristics Living things

4 Guess the biome.

COLLABORATION
What biomes are present in your
country? What are people doing to • Choose a small, random country in the world.
Locate it on a map. According to its position
l
kil help preserve and protect them?
s

S
P e r s o n al
Do you think it’s enough or can you on Earth, try to guess its climate and a possible
think of an action that is needed? biome you can find there. Research to find out if
you’re right.
• Get into groups of five. Each of you will name
your country and locate it on a map.
Lines of Research • The rest of the group has to guess the climatic
Do you know what protected natural areas zone and a possible biome. Check who’s right!
are? Do you know any in your country?

Research protected natural areas and the

biomes they represent. TEAM UP!
Get into teams, go to
#KeyConcept Tic-tic-Kaboom! and
protected natural area follow the instructions.

Can identify global climatic zones and describe the different biomes

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