Biomes & Soils

What is the characteristic soil of temperate forests?

Alfisols (moderately fertile).

What soil type is associated with grasslands?

Mollisols → very fertile → deep organic layers.

Which soil type occurs in deserts?

Aridisols (low organic matter).

What soil type is typical in boreal forests?

Spodosols → acidic, nutrient-poor due to leaching.

Temperate Deciduous Forest – key traits

• Warm summers, cold winters

• Moderate rainfall

• Alfisols (moderately fertile)

• Broadleaf trees (oak, maple)

Temperate Grassland – key traits

• Hot summers, cold winters

• Moderate, seasonal rain; droughts

• Mollisols (VERY fertile)

• Grasses dominate

Subtropical Desert – key traits

• Hot year-round

• Very low rainfall

• Aridisols (low organic matter)

• Cacti, drought shrubs

Boreal Forest – key traits

• Long cold winters

• Low–moderate precipitation

• Spodosols (acidic, low nutrients)

• Conifer trees

Tundra – key traits

• Very cold; short summer

• Low precipitation

• Gelisols (permafrost)

• Mosses, lichens, small shrubs

Chaparral – key traits

• Hot, dry summers

• Mild, wet winters

• Nutrient-poor soil

• Fire-adapted shrubs

Tropical Rainforest – key traits

• Warm year-round

• Very high rainfall

• Oxisols/Ultisols (nutrient-poor)

• High plant diversity; evergreen trees

Savanna – key traits

• Warm year-round

• Wet and dry seasons

• Grasses + scattered trees

• Fire- and drought-adapted

Temperate Rainforest – key traits

• Mild temperatures

• Very high rainfall

• Evergreen conifers

• Mosses and ferns