Biomes of the World

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Biomes of the World
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What are the characteristics of each biome?
A biome is united by temperature, precipitation,
soil type, vegetation, latitude, and elevation.
A biome is united by temperature, precipitation,
soil type, vegetation, latitude, and elevation.
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The major biomes are divided into terrestrial
(ground) and aquatic (water) biomes. The aquatic
biome can be categorized as both Marine and
Freshwater biomes. Sometimes freshwater lakes,
rivers, streams, and underground aquifers belong
to the surrounding terrestrial biome. The
terrestrial biomes are Tundra, Tropical Forest,
Grasslands (also called Prairie or Steppe), Taiga
(Boreal or Coniferous Forest), Savannah, Desert,
and Temperate (Deciduous) Forest. Some biologists
define more than seven terrestrial biomes, adding
Chaparral, Mountain, Island, or Tropical Dry
Forest. Other biomes are further subdivided, such
as deep ocean, open ocean, and shallow ocean
Marine biome, or the hot and cold Deserts.
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http//www.physicalgeography.net/fundamentals/9k.h
tml
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Terrestrial Biomes

• Differentiated from one another based on climate,
  with temperature and rainfall the critical
  factors. Distribution of plants and animals is
  affected by the climate.
• Rain forest water plentiful, high biodiversity
  temps range from tropical to temperate tropical
  forest in book
• Desert little water, temps range from hot to
  freezing low biodiversity
• Chaparral rainy drought cycles, plants
  adapted to dry conditions
• Temperate deciduous forest frequent rain and
  snow, temperate climate
• Coniferous forests dominated by a few tree
  species (conifers) typically harsh winters
• Grasslands long dry periods, wide temp range
• Tundra limited water, frozen for much of year
• Savanna grasslands with scattered trees, found
  primarily in tropics home to a wide range of
  animals

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Aquatic Biomes
Light, temperature, and salt content are used to
delineate aquatic biomes.

• Marine Biomes distinguished based on light
  penetration, freshwater to saltwater ratio,
  proximity to coastline, depth

• Marine zones

• Coastal (intertidal and continental shelf)

• Open Ocean (pelagic)

• Surface vs. deep ocean

• Photic vs. aphotic
• Estuaries where freshwater meets the sea
  light, temperature, and salt content
  marine/freshwater wetlands

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Aquatic Biomes II

• Freshwater Biomes

• moving water streams and rivers

• standing water lakes and ponds
• wetland interface between fresh or salt water
  meet the land

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Mammals common to the boreal forest include
moose, bear, deer, wolverine, marten, lynx, wolf,
snowshoe hare, vole, chipmunks, shrews, and bats
(Figure 9k-3). Reptiles are rare, once again,
because of cold temperatures .
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Most desert mammals tend to be nocturnal to avoid
the high temperatures. Desert habitats have a
rich lizard and snake fauna because high
temperatures promote the success of cold blooded
life forms
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The tropical rainforest is also home to a great
variety of animals. Some scientists believe that
30 to 50 of all of the Earth's animal species
may be found in this biome.                     
                                                  
                
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The savanna biome constitutes extensive areas in
eastern Africa, South America, and Australia.
Savannas also support the richest diversity of
grazing mammals in the world. The grazing animals
provide food for a great variety of predators
                                                  
                                               
                                                  
                                                  
                       
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iomes.htm