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1. Biomes Biomethe major ecosystems on Earth. Biomes cover large areas and are characterized by specific physical conditions and types of organisms.
There are 6 major land biomes:
Tundra
Desert
Grassland
Tropical rain forest
Temperate Deciduous Forest
Taiga
2. Tundra Average yearly rainfall15-25 cm
Temperature range-- -34 to 12 degrees Celsius
Cold and dry. Located in the Arctic and Antarctic regions.
Permanently frozen subsoil.
Small plants with no deep roots.
Animals include migrant birds, musk oxen, caribou, and Arctic foxes
4. Desert Average yearly rainfallless than 25 cm
Temperature range-- -2 to 49 degrees Celsius
Very dry. Can be hot or cold. Temperature vary mildly from night to day.
Soils are mineral rich, but contain little organic matter.
Have few plants. Cactus are common.
Animals include jack rabbits, snakes, lizards, and small rodents.
6. Tropical Rain Forest Average yearly rainfallGreater than 200 cm
Temperature range-- 20 to 35 degrees Celsius
Warm and wet. Located near the equator.
Soils are mineral poor, but contain lots of organic matter.
Characterized by tall trees which form a dense canopy.
Has the more biodiversity than any other biome. Contains many species of plants and animals.
8. Grasslands Average yearly rainfall50--90 cm
Temperature range-- -40 to 38 degrees Celsius
Warm to hot summers and cool to cold winters. Precipitation is seasonal.
Most of the soils organic matter is in the thick topsoil layer. The soil is rich in mineral and organic matter.
Plants include many grasses and herbs, but few trees.
Animals include coyotes, badgers, mule deer, rabbits, prairie dogs, bison, and many birds and insects.
10. Temperate Deciduous Forests Average yearly rainfall75--150 cm
Temperature range-- -30 to 30 degrees Celsius
Moderate precipitation levels and temperatures.
Mainly found in North America, Europe, and Asia.
Soil is rich in minerals and organic matter.
Plants include broad-leafed trees which shed their leaves in the fall.
Animals include foxes, squirrels, raccoons, deer, turtles, and many birds and insects.
12. Taiga Average yearly rainfall40--100 cm
Temperature range-- -30 to 30 degrees Celsius
Cold to cool, but warmer than tundra. Gets more rainfall than tundra. Located in the northern parts of North America, Europe, and Asia.
The subsoil is no permanently frozen subsoil. The soils tend to be acidic.
Plants include conifers (evergreen trees) and moss.
Animals include black bears, moose, elk, deer, wolves, squirrels, and a variety of insects.