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 Learning Objectives:
• To identify the main climate types of the world and the similarities and differences
between the climates of different places (ACHASSK068)
• The recognise the importance of environments, including natural vegetation, to animals
and people (ACHASSK088)

Success Criteria
• I recognise the six major biomes and how they are affected by climate.
• I understand the importance of biome diversity and how plants and animals have
adapted to living in the conditions of their specific environments.
What is a Biome?

A biome is a community of interconnected plants and animals that live and work
together to survive in a shared physical climate. Biomes are also called global
environments. They are large areas that can be categorised into six major types:

e
3. Temperat 5. Taiga Forest
1. Savanna Forest

2. Desert 6. Tun
4. Rainforest d ra
World Biome Map
Can you see a connection between the world biomes and latitude?

Savanna Temperate Forest Taiga Forest

Rainforest Desert Tundra

 What is a Savanna Biome?

A savanna biome is a large area of rolling tropical

grasslands with scattered trees and shrubs. Savannas
have two distinct seasons - a wet and a dry. With little
rain, the savanna is not able to support large numbers
of trees. A savanna is also called a tropical grassland.
Where Are the Savanna Biomes Located?
Savannas are generally located near the equator between desert and forest
biomes.
 How Have Plants Adapted to the Savanna?

Grasses are the most abundant plant species found in the

savanna, most of which have tap roots. A tap root is single long
root that grows deep into the ground, with smaller roots
branching off the sides. A tap root is an adaptation which allows
plants to reach water deep underground during long periods of
no rain.

Trees in the savanna have adapted by growing thick trunks

to store water and thick bark to protect them from herds of
grazing animals.
How Have Animals Adapted to the Savanna?

The savanna is home to large herds of grazing animals that have adapted to their
environment by eating grass, which grows in abundance. Wallabies are an Australian
example. The savanna is also home to many carnivores, which have adapted to living
in grassland by hunting and feeding on herd animals. Many animals living in the
savanna have long legs, which allow them to migrate long distances over the changing
seasons.
 What is a Desert Biome?

A desert is an area that receives less than 25cm of rainfall a

year. Deserts have dry soil, little to no surface water, and high
rates of evaporation. Deserts have extreme temperatures and
can be very hot or very cold. Desert biomes cover of the
world’s land area.

The four main types of desert biome are:

1. hot and dry deserts 
2. semi-arid deserts
3. coastal deserts
4. cold deserts
Where Are Desert Biomes?

Deserts are generally located near the equator.

 How Have Plants Adapted to Living in the Desert?

Some plants have adapted to the dry conditions of the desert by

developing a thick waxy surface to reduce water loss and better
reflect heat from the sun. Leaves are often small or spiky to
reduce the surface area and minimise evaporation. Many desert
plants have deep tap roots that reach far underground to the
water table.
How Have Animals Adapted to Living in the Desert?

Many desert animals are nocturnal, which means they sleep in the day and are active
at night. This allows the animals to rest during the extreme heat of the day and forage
during the cooler hours of the night. The Greater Bilby are one such animal. They
spend their days in cool burrows deep underground and are active at night. Other
animals, like camels, have adapted to living in the desert by storing excess water in
their bodies.
 What is a Temperate Forest Biome?

A temperate forest biome is a forested area with four distinct seasons:

summer, autumn, winter and spring. Each season lasts around three
months and provides a generally mild temperature with moderate
rainfall. Winters are cold. Many trees in the temperate forest are
deciduous, which means they drop their leaves in the winter and grow
them back in spring. Temperate forests are also known as deciduous
forests. 

Temperate forests grow in three layers: 

1. The canopy, which is the upper layer forming an umbrella to
provide shade.
2. The understory, which is made up of smaller trees and shrubs.
3. The forest floor, which is made up of flowers, herbs, ferns and
mosses.
Where Are Temperate Forest Biomes?
Temperate forest biomes generally lie in the mid-latitude areas, between the Arctic
poles and the tropics.
How Have Plants Adapted to Living in Temperate Forests?

Plants that grow in temperate forests often have thick layers of bark to protect them from
cold winters and deciduous leaves that drop in winter. When the leaves drop, the plant
seals off the open area to help retain moisture. Many plants use sap to stop their roots
from freezing.
How Have Animals Adapted to Living in Temperate Forests?

Temperate forest biomes are abundant with animal life. Many animals have sharp
claws to help them climb trees. Others have strong tails to help them climb, like the
Australian ring-tailed possum. Some animals, like birds, migrate during the winter to
escape the cold. Others, like bears, hibernate.
What is a Rainforest Biome?

Rainforest biomes have high rates of rainfall and remain hot and
humid throughout the year. They are generally located in the
tropics near the equator. The tropical rainforest is the most
biodiverse biome in the world, with around half of all animal and
plant species found there. 

Rainforests grow in three layers: 

1. The canopy, which forms an umbrella to provide shade.
2. The understory made up of smaller trees and shrubs.
3. The forest floor made up of flowers, herbs, ferns and mosses.
Where Are Rainforest Biomes?
Rainforest biomes are found close to the equator. 
Rainforest Biomes: Plants Adaptations

Plant life is abundant in the rainforest and each plant has been carefully adapted to
survive the constant heat and moisture, and limited access to sunlight. Some plants have
pointy leaves to help divert rainwater from pooling, which can cause fungus to grow.
Other plants have buttress roots that create a large surface area to support their heavy
weight. Lianas are woody vines that grow high up into the canopy so they can reach
sunlight. Epiphytes grow on branches up off the forest floor and receive nutrients from
the air and rain.
Rainforest Biomes: Animal Adaptations

Many animals that live in the rainforest have sharp claws to help them climb, like the
Australian spotted quoll and tree kangaroo. Others have adapted by growing long limbs
and tails to help them move through the forest by swinging from branch to branch, in a
motion called brachiation. The spider monkey is a perfect example. As there are so many
different species in the rainforest, it is important for each to have an element of
camouflage to keep them safe from predators. Many birds have long large beaks to help
them better access fruits that are deep in the forest. 
What is a Taiga Forest Biome?

The taiga forest biome is also known as a boreal forest or

coniferous forest. It is the driest and coldest of the three forest
biomes. Taiga forest has evergreen, or coniferous trees, that
don’t drop their leaves. Winters are long and cold, lasting about
six months. Summers are warm but short. The taiga is the
largest of all the land biomes.
Where Are Taiga Forest Biomes?
The taiga forest biome is found in the northern hemisphere between the tundra and
temperate forest biomes.
Taiga Forest Biomes: Plants Adaptations

The taiga forest biome is dominated by coniferous evergreen trees that grow close
together to form a canopy. The canopy is where the trees absorb sunlight. In general, taiga
forest trees have developed dark green leaves or needles to help them absorb more energy
from the sun. Needles are very effective at holding moisture and surviving cold, harsh
winters. Trees in the taiga forest grow in a cone shape, which helps them to release
blankets of snow.
Taiga Forest Biomes: Animal Adaptations

Animals that live in the taiga forest have adapted to survive cold winters. Some animals
migrate to warmer climates, while others store food for the winter or hibernate. Most
animals have adapted to living in the taiga forest by developing think fur coats or
feathers to keep them warm and sharp claws to help them climb. Many have coats that
change colour which helps them to stay camouflaged. Their coats are white during the
winter and brown during the summer. The snowshoe hare is an example.
What is a Tundra Biome?

A tundra biome is a cold, dry and treeless plain. The harsh

conditions of the tundra environment mean that very few plants
and animals can survive. The tundra has two distinct seasons -
a long winter and a short summer. Approximately 20% of the
Earth's land surface is covered by tundra.
Where Are Tundra Biomes?
Tundra biomes are found near the arctic.
How Have Plants Adapted to Living in the Tundra?

Not many plants are able to grow in harsh tundra conditions. Those that can survive
tend to live in groups and stay close to the ground to protect themselves from cold, icy
winds. Some plants have adapted to the lack of sun by developing dark hairy leaves to
better absorb sunlight.
How Have Animals Adapted to Living in the Tundra?

Animals that live in the tundra have small ears and tails. This small surface area
helps to reduce the amount of body heat that is lost to the extremities. Many animals
living in the tundra have small feet to help them walk on the snow. Some animals,
like the arctic fox, grow a white coat in the winter and a brown coat in the summer to
help them stay camouflaged over the changing seasons. 
What Have We Learnt about Today?

What can you tell us about the:

e 5. Tai
1. Savanna 3. Temperat ga F o
rest
Forest

2. Desert
4. Rainforest
Tu ndra
6.