Biomes

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Biomes

• Characteristics of the seven major
• Terrestrial biomes

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Tundra

• Cold and largely treeless biome.
• Located across northern North America, Europe,
  and Asia.
• Largest biome (about 1/5 of land surface)
• AYT -26C to 12 C
• AYP less than 25 cm
• Soil thin topsoil permafrost nutrient-poor
• Vegetation moss, lichens, dwarf/woody plants

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Taiga

• South of the tundra.
• Forested by coniferous trees.
• Across large areas of northern Europe, Asia, and
  North America.
• AYT -10 C to 14 C
• AYP 35 - 75 cm
• Soil low in nutrients
• Vegetation coniferous trees shrubs

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Temperate deciduous forests

• Mainly trees that loose leaves in the fall.
• Across eastern North America, Europe, Asia, and
  southern hemisphere.
• These regions have pronounced seasons.
• AYT 6 C to 28 C
• AYP 75 - 125 cm
• Soil moist, moderate nutrient levels
• Vegetation broad-leaved trees, shrubs

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Temperate grasslands

• Dominated by grasses (too dry for trees)
• Usually on the interior of continents.
• Also called prairies in North America.
• AYT 0C to 25C
• AYP 25 - 75 cm
• Soil deep layer of topsoil, rich in nutrients
• Vegetation dense, tall grasses in moist areas,
  short clumps in dry areas.

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Desert

• Large parts of north Africa, central Australia,
  southwestern North America, and eastern Asia.
• Not all hot, some have cold winters and nights.
• AYT 7C to 38C
• AYP less than 25 cm
• Soil dry, often sandy, nutrient-poor
• Vegetation succulent plants, scattered grasses

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Savanna

• Tropical/sub-tropical grasslands with scattered
  trees.
• Found in Africa, South America, Australia.
• Alternating wet and dry seasons.
• Plants/animals must be able to deal with
  prolonged periods of drought.
• AYT 16 c to 34 c
• AYP 75 - 150 cm
• Soil dry, thin topsoil low in nutrients
• Vegetation tall grasses scattered trees and
  shrubs

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Tropical rain forests

• Near the equator in Asia, Africa, South America,
  and Central America.
• Stable year-round growing season.
• Most productive biome.
• AYT 20C to 34C
• ATP 200 - 400 cm
• Soil moist, thin topsoil, low in nutrients
• Vegetation very tall broad-leaved trees and
  shrubs, vines
• Contains about one-fifth of the worlds known
  species

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