Biomes

BIOMES

AND

ECOSYSTEMS

What is a biome?
• A biome is a group of land ecosystems

with similar climates and organisms

Multiple Choice

What is a biome?

• A large community of plants and animals that occupies a distinct region

• A small habitat for specific organisms

• A type of ecosystem found only in deserts

• A specific area where only animals live

Multiple Choice

Which of the following is not a factor that determines a biome?

• Climate

• Soil type

• Types of plants and animals

• The height of mountains

There are 6 major land biomes.
1.RAINFORESTS
2.DESERTS
3.GRASSLANDS
4.DECIDUOUS FORESTS
5.TAIGA
6.TUNDRA

Multiple Choice

Which of the following is not one of the six major land biomes?

• Desert

• Tropical Rainforest

• Ocean

• Tundra

• An area’s biome is determined mostly

by its climate (temperature and precipitation)

TROPICAL RAIN FORESTS

• Found in regions

close to the equator

• Warm and humid all

year long.

• Lots of precipitation.
• Diverse plant

growth.

Multiple Choice

What is a key characteristic of the tropical rainforest biome?

• Low biodiversity

• Hot and dry climate

• High rainfall and diverse plant and animal life

• Cold and snowy conditions

DESERTS

• Desert = An area that receives very little

rain.

• Some deserts receive NO precipitation at

all during one year.

• Deserts often undergo large shifts in

temperature during the course of a day.

Multiple Choice

Deserts are characterized by which of the following?

• High precipitation

• Low precipitation

• Dense forests

• High humidity

Multiple Choice

Which adaptation is common in desert plants?

• Large, broad leaves

• Shallow root systems

• Ability to store water

• High need for water

• Organisms that live in the desert must be

adapted to the lack of rain and extreme
temperatures.

– Cactus: Stem expands to store water.
– Gila monster spends weeks in its cool,

underground burrows.

– Many other organisms are only active at night

when it is cooler.

GRASSLANDS

• Grassland (prairie)=

An area that is
populated mostly by
grasses and other
non-woody plants.

• Fires and droughts

are common.

Multiple Choice

Grasslands are typically found in regions with:

• Very high rainfall

• Moderate rainfall and few trees

• Constant snow cover

• Dense forest cover

Multiple Choice

Which is an example of a grassland biome?

• Amazon Rainforest

• Sahara Desert

• North American Prairies

• Arctic Tundra

Savanna: Grassland that is located closer to

the equator than prairies.

– In addition to grass, scattered shrubs and

small trees can grow in the savanna.

Multiple Choice

What distinguishes a savanna from other types of grasslands?

• Lack of trees

• Presence of large herbivores and occasional trees

• High annual rainfall

• Cold temperatures year-round

• Grasslands are home to many of the

largest animals on Earth.

• Examples:

• Grazing by these large herbivores helps to

maintain these grasslands.

DECIDUOUS FOREST

• Deciduous trees= Trees that

shed their leaves and grow new
ones each year (Oaks,
Maples…)

• Receive enough rain to support

the growth of trees and other
plants (at least 50 cm per year).

• Growing season is 5 to 6

months long.

• The area we live in is a

deciduous forest

Multiple Choice

What is a defining feature of deciduous forests?

• Trees that shed their leaves annually

• Constantly frozen ground

• High temperatures year-round

• Limited plant and animal species

TAIGA

– Mostly contains

coniferous trees (trees
that produce their seeds
in cones and have
leaves shaped like
needles). Ex. Fir,
Spruce, Pine…

– Very cold winters (a lot

of snow).

– Warm and rainy

summers.

Multiple Choice

The taiga biome is also known as:

• Tropical Rainforest

• Boreal Forest

• Grassland

• Savanna

TUNDRA

• Tundra = Extremely cold and dry biome.
• Usually receives NO more precipitation than a desert

biome.

• Most soil is frozen all year long (permafrost)
• During summer, the top layer of soil thaws, but the rest

remains frozen.

Tundra Animals

Multiple Choice

Which of the following animals is commonly found in the tundra biome?

• Elephant

• Kangaroo

• Polar Bear

• Monkey