Climatograms

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Climatograms AND BIOMES
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Definitions

• Climatogram
• A graph of monthly measurements of temperature
  and precipitation for a given area during a year

• Biome
• A large terrestrial region with a defining
  climate that supports plants and animals with
  specific adaptations

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Biome Map
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Tundra

• Located above the arctic circle and at very
  high altitudes
• Cold, dry winters (permafrost)
• Short, intense, busy summers
• Nearly treeless, covered by mosses, lichens
  and grasses
• Most animals are migratory or well adapted to
  cold climate

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Taiga

• Located just south the arctic circle common
  in mountain regions
• Cold, snowy winters Longer and warmer
  summers than tundra
• Mainly 2 vegetation layers coniferous trees
  (evergreen and cone- bearing) and mosses
• Animals include deer, elk, moose, squirrels,
  beaver, wolves, bears etc.

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Temperate Deciduous Forest

• Moderate temperatures and precipitation
• Warm summers, cool winters with 4 distinct
  seasons
• Up to 5 vegetation layers deciduous trees
  are common (broad, flat leaves that shed
  annually) as well as mosses, herbs and shrubs
• Animals include insects, squirrels, birds,
  deer, bears, fox etc.

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Tropical Rainforest

• Constant warm temperatures with no distinct
  seasons
• Heavy rainfall throughout the year
• Plants are abundant and diverse, competing for
  sunlight
• Animals are unique, diverse and adapted to a
  life in the trees monkeys, insects, reptiles,
  amphibians, birds etc.

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Chaparral

• Found near coasts due to off-shore circulation
  of cool ocean water
• Browsers and predators are common and animals
  include birds, mountain lions, mule deer, ground
  squirrels, reptiles etc.
• Plants include dense evergreen shrubs,
  grasses, some deciduous plants and annuals
  adapted to survive fire and summer drought
• Hot, dry summers cool, wet winters
• Fires and drought are possible

Santa Monica, CA
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Grassland and Savannah

• Grassland serves as a transition between
  desert and forest
• Savannah is a transition between grassland and
  forest
• Extreme climatic conditions and fluctuations
  in temperature and precipitation
• Dry and windy fires are common
• Mainly grasses with some shrubs and scattered
  trees
• Animals include mostly grazers and predators

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Desert

• Temperatures vary from hot to cold
• Precipitation is very low
• Vegetation is sparse and plants are adapted to
  use water efficiently
• Only a few large animals exist and include
  camels and big horn sheep
• Other animals include rodents and reptiles who
  are adapted to life in low water conditions