terrestrial biomes

boreal forest

• aka taiga

• canada, alaska, russia, scandinavia

• long harsh winters, short cool summers

• moose, wolves, bears, lynx

chaparral

• occurs in small patches across the world

• mild wet winters, warm dry summers

• frequent fires

savanna

• grassland with some trees

• africa, south america, australia, india

• dry seasons and rainy seasons; only precipitates during rainy season

• safari animals

desert

• some completely bare, some vegetated

• the americas, south asia, south africa, australia

• hot dry days, cool dry nights

• mostly nocturnal animals

• plants adapt to protect their water reserves

tundra

• contains permafrost

• russia, canada, scandinavia

• long cold winters, short cool summers

• polar bears, oxen, caribou

• little vegetation

temperate grassland

• aka steppe or prairie

• europe, north america, south australia/new zealand

• cold winters, warm summers

  • large temperature difference

• bison, ground-nesting birds, cattle

temperate rainforest

• coastal pacific northwest of us

• long wet winters, short dry summers

• constant rain during winter

• moisture-loving bugs and animals

temperate deciduous forest

• mid-latitude forests in europe, eastern china, eastern north america

• year-round even precipitation

• four seasons- cold winters, warm summers

• frogs, turtles, squirrels, deer, foxes

tropical dry forest

• aka tropical deciduous forest

• india, africa, south america, north australia

• wet and dry seasons

  • dry season lasts about 5-8 months

• monkeys, parrots, wild rodents, ground-nesting birds

tropical rainforest

• southeast asia, west africa, central and south america

• year-round precipitation and warmth

  • little seasonal difference

• jungle book kind of animals

• lush vegetation with acidic soil