Major Terrestrial Biomes

BIO 182 at NAU

Tropical rainforest climate

Hot and wet year round, with many different plant species.

Tropical rainforest location

Covers much of northern South America, Central America, western and central Africa, Southeast Asia, islands in Indian / Pacific Oceans.

Tropical rainforest ecosystem

Dense foliage, with little light reaching floor. Diverse animal life, with many species of insects, reptiles, amphibians, and mammals. Very few large mammals.

Tropical deciduous forest climate

Seasonal rainfall with distinct wet and dry seasons, warm temperatures year-round. Trees shed leaves during 2-3 month long dry season.

Tropical deciduous forest animals

High diversity, consist of antelopes, wild pigs, tigers, and monkeys.

Tropical deciduous forest location

Much of India, parts of Brazil, Mexico, Africa, and Australia

Temperate rainforest climate

Climate is influenced by ocean, with high rainfall, mild temperatures, and distinct seasons.

Temperate rainforest location

Found from northern California to Alaska, western Chile, parts of Norway, Australia, and New Zealand.

Temperate rainforest ecosystem

High animal diversity, lots of large coniferous trees such as hemlocks, firs, and spruce.

Temperate deciduous forest climate

Temps fall below freezing in winter, with snow. Leaves shed in fall and regrow in spring.

Temperate deciduous forest animals

Mammals like squirrels, wolves, bobcats, foxes, bears, mountain lions are common; reptiles occur, but are fewer. Some animals hibernate or migrate.

Temperate deciduous forest plants

Has trees such as oak, maple, hickory. When leaves shed, flowers grow.