APES Biomes

temperate deciduous forest

seasonal weather, trees that loose their leaves, found in NY state

temperate grassland

seasonal weather, large grazing animals, main vegetation is grass

tropical rainforest

warm year round, high precipitation, most diverse ecosystem

tropical grassland

warm year round, large grazing animals, main vegetation is grass; also known as savanna

desert

lowest precipitation, highly specialized organisms, varying temperatures

taiga

dominant vegetation is conifers, cool temperatures, moderate rainfall; also known as boreal forest

tundra

characterized by permafrost, cool temperatures, small vegetation

chaparral

low rainfall, small shrub-like plants, high chance of fires

boreal forest

taiga

savanna

tropical grassland

2 main factors that determine a biome

temperature and precipitation

biome

an ecosystem with similar climate and vegetation patterns