Terrestrial Biomes

Location Tropical Rainforest

Equator

Location Temperate Rainforest

coastal, mid-latitude

Location Temperate seasonal (deciduous) forest

eastern sides of continents, 20-40º

Location desert

30ºN and S

Location savanna

transition desert to forest

Location shrubland/chaparral

argentina, cali, mediterranean (coastal)

Location temperate grassland (prairie)

30-40ºN; mid-continent

Location taiga/boreal/coniferous forest

50-60ºN

Location tundra

North of 60º

Biota (plants/animals) Tropical Rainforest

- flowers, broadleaf evergreen tree

- primates, poison dart frogs, birds

Biota (plant/animals) Temperate Rainforest

- redwood, ferns, mosses

- bear, owl, slugs

Biota (plant/animals) Temperate Seasonal Deciduous Forest

- deciduous trees, shrubs, flowers

- deer, chipmunks, squirrels, songbirds

Biota (plant/animals) Taiga (boreal/or Coniferous Forest)

- perennials, conifer trees

- wolves, moose, beavers

Biota (plant/animals) Desert

- cacti, other succulents

- insects, scorpions, reptiles

Biota (plant/animals) Savanna

- broad-leaf grasses

- zebra, lion, elephant, rhino

Biota (plant/animals) Shrubland/Chaparral

- drought-resistant, small shrubs

- reptiles, coyote, rabbits, squirrels

Biota (plant/animals) Temperate Grassland (prairie)

- grasses, scattered trees

- bison, prairie dog, ferre

Biota (plant/animals) Tundra

- lichen, mosses, short grasses

- ox, caribou, polar bear, hare

Climate Tropical Rainforest

- Hot

- Wet

Climate Temperate Rainforest

- Warm

- High (Wet)

Climate Temperate Seasonal Deciduous Forest

- Warm

- Moderate

Climate Taiga/Boreal (Coniferous Forest)

- Cold

- Wet

Climate Desert

- Hot

- Dry

Climate Savanna

- Warm

- Wet (in summer) and dry (in winter) seasons

Climate Shrubland/Chaparral

- Hot, dry summers

- Wild, rainy winters

Climate Temperate Grassland (Prairie)

- Warm

- Moderate

Climate Tundra

- Cold

- Low (Dry)

Soil/Relative Plant Productivity Tropical Rainforest

- Low nutrient levels (due to rapid plant growth)

- Very high

Soil/Relative Plant Productivity Temperate Rainforest

- Low nutrient levels (due to rapid plant growth)

- High

Soil/Relative Plant Productivity Temperate Seasonal Deciduous Rainforest

- High nutrient levels (rapid decomp rate)

- High

Soil/Relative Plant Productivity Taiga/Boreal (coniferous forest)

- Nutrient-poor (slow decomp rate)

- Low/Medium

Soil/Relative Plant Productivity Desert

- Nutrient-poor

- Lowest

Soil/Relative Plant Productivity Savanna

- Fertile soil (high decomp rate)

- Low/Medium

Soil/Relative Plant Productivity Shrubland/Chaparral

- Low (due to leaching from winter rain)

- Low

Soil/Relative Plant Productivity Temperate Grassland (Prairie)

- Warm

- Medium (due to fires, long growing season, decomp)

Soil/Relative Plant Productivity Tundra

- Nutrient-poor

- Low