Lesson 7 Biomes

What are the six major biomes found on Earth?

What factors determine the type of biome found in an area?

Do Now

Word Splash

rainforest desert grassland

deciduous forest taiga /boreal forest

tundra

Essential Question

1. What are the six major biomes found on Earth?

2. What factors determine the type of biome found in an area?

Vocabulary

Biome A group of land ecosystems with similar climates and organisms

Canopy large leaves of trees that form a roof like projection or covering

Understory the shrubs and plants growing beneath the main canopy of a forest.

Savanna grassland region with scattered trees, grading into either open plain or woodland, usually in subtropical or tropical regions.

Permafrost permanently frozen soil below surface

Assignment

1. Read pages 58-67.

2. Complete the graphic organizer for each biome.

Rain Forest BiomeLocation Climate

Temperature

Precipitation

Vegetation Animals

Rain Forest BiomeLocation

•found in the equatorial regions of South America and Africa

Climate

Temperature•little temperature variation•warm

Precipitation•large supply of precipitation, high humidity

Vegetation •dense and diverse assortment of vegetation

Animals•many of the animals are arboreal tree dwellers (never come down to the surface)•Monkeys, snakes, insects, parrots, bats

Desert BiomeLocation Climate

Temperature

Precipitation

Vegetation Animals

Desert BiomesLocation

•Western United States•Parts of Central and South America•Parts of Africa and Asia•Australia

Climate

Temperature•hot days•cold nights

Precipitation•less than 25cm rain year•little precipitation, often in heavy showers

Vegetation

•low diversity of plants•Cacti and sparse grass

Animals

•animals may obtain water from food, are nocturnal (active at night), •Lizards, snakes, small rodents, insects

Grassland BiomeLocation Climate

Temperature

Precipitation

Vegetation Animals

Grassland BiomeLocation

•found in central North America•Central Asia•Southern Africa •Australia •Examples of savannas – Serengeti Plains (Tanzania); llanos (Venezuela and Columbia); Cerrado (Brazil); pine savannas (Belize/ Honduras)

Climate

Temperature•Temperate to subtropical areas

Precipitation•25-75 cm of rain a year

Vegetation •long or short grasses•thick humus layer • fire common and necessary to renew the biome by burning out shrubs while the grass survives

Animals•Herbivores•Bison•rabbits•Gophers•predators - wolves, coyotes, rattlesnakes

Deciduous Forest BiomeLocation Climate

Temperature

Precipitation

Vegetation Animals

Deciduous Forest BiomeLocation

•found in eastern North America,•western Europe•eastern Asia•Chile

Climate

Temperature•temp. vary greatly•Cold winters •Warm summers

Precipitation•Wet summers•50cm per year

Vegetation •broad-leaved trees (which shed leaves), soil rich due to decomposition of leaf litter• trees form a canopy but enough light filters through to provide energy for a lower layer of trees and shrubs•Oak, maple, beech, shrubs

Animals•larger number of producers supports a large number of consumers•Fox, rodents, owls, hawks, insect, deer

Taiga/Boreal Forest BiomeLocation Climate

Temperature

Precipitation

Vegetation Animals

Taiga/Boreal BiomeLocation

•found in broad region below

the tundra in North America, Europe and Asia

Climate

Temperature•Cold winters•Summers warm

Precipitation•Snow•Summers rainy

Vegetation •coniferous trees (spruce, fir,

pine etc.) •little vegetation found near the ground because of low light levels and soil is acidic due to needle decomposition

Animals•deer,•Moose•Caribou•Lynx•Hares•fox

Tundra BiomeLocation Climate

Temperature

Precipitation

Vegetation Animals

Tundra BiomeLocation

found in the northern hemisphere above the tree line

Climate

Temperature•Cold

•average winter -30° F

•average summer 37-54° F

Precipitation•little precipitation

•Dry

•permafrost

Vegetation •Mosses•Grasses•Shrubs •Small trees (willow)

Animals•Arctic fox•Caribou•polar bear•migratory birds•penguins

Mountains And Ice

• not part of major biome

• mountain ranges and land covered in ice

Assignment

1. Read science explorer page 128.

2. Complete science explorer page 130 and 131.

Answer the essential questions

1. What are the six major biomes found on Earth?

2. What factors determine the type of biome found in an area?

Ticket out the door

• Complete science explorer page 132.