APES - Module 2

biome

plants + animals in a specific region, determined by climate and precipitation rate

cold biomes

temps below 41 degrees F

temperate biomes

temps between 41 and 68 degrees F

tropical biomes

temps above 68 degrees F

tundra

• along edges of Antarctica

• cold, treeless, low vegetation

• soil freezes in winter, not productive, low nutrient, decomposition resistant

• high winds on mountains

tundra: human impacts

melting of permafrost

taiga/boreal forest

• coniferous evergreens

• very cold, average precipitation

• short growing seasons

• slow decomposition, low-nutrient soil

• beavers, brown bears, wolverines

taiga/boreal forest: human impacts

• logging

• mining + extraction of fossil fuels

temperate rainforest

• moderate temp, high precipitation

• along narrow, coastal areas

• large coniferous tree population

• slow decomposition, low-nutrient soil

• black-tailed deer, salamander, tree frog

temperate rainforest: human impacts

logging

temperate seasonal forest/deciduous forest

• moderate climate, seasonal weather

• heavy precipitation

• deciduous trees

• high soil fertility, rapid decomposition, longer growing seasons

• deer, foxes, squirrels

temperate seasonal rainforest/deciduous rainforest: human impacts

large-scale agriculture

shrubland/chaparral

• hot, dry summers/ mild, rainy winters

• plant-growth constrained by seasons

• low-nutrient soil

• wildfires

• quail, jackrabbit, rattlesnake

shrubland/chaparral: human impacts

• grazing animals

• growing drought-tolerant plants like grapes

• over-developed, fires increased

temperate grassland

• cold winters, hot and dry summers

• plant growth constrained by seasons

• cold deserts

• wildfires

• rapid decomposition makes soil nutritious enough to be productive

• chickens, kingsnake

temperate grassland: human impacts

tall grass prairie used for agriculture, short grass prairie used for grazing and wheat

tropical rainforest

• warm and wet

• rapid decomposition, high productivity

• layers of vegetation

• found near equator and in tropics

• jaguars, monkeys, treefrogs

tropical rainforest: human impacts

cleared for agriculture

savanna/tropical grassland

• warm temp, distinct wet and dry seasons

• deciduous trees

• open areas with grass, fertile

• gazelles, zebras

savanna/tropical grassland: human impacts

agriculture, grazing

hot desert

• hot and dry

• very small to nonexistent plant and animal life

• grow rapidly during sparse periods of rain

• cacti, small rodents, reptiles

hot desert: human impacts

• climate change

• draining of underground water

tundra

savanna

shrubland

hot desert

temperate seasonal forest

tropical rainforest

taiga

temperate grassland

temperate rainforest