Terrestrial Biomes

Temperate Rainforests

• a coastal biome typified by moderate temperatures and high precipitation

• exista long the west coast of north america from northern California to Alaska

Temperate Rainforests Flora and Fauna

• supports the growth of very large trees

• coniferous species, including fir, spruce, cedar and hemlock as well as redwoods

• ferns and mosses are commonly found

• black tailed deer, pacific giant salamander

Temperate seasonal forest

• a biome with warm summers and cold winters with over 39 inches of precipitation annually.

• favor rapid decomposition

• higher soil fertility, longer growing sesons

• first biomes to be converted to agricultural use

Temperate seasonal forest flora and fauna

• white tailed deer, redfoxes, grey squirrels

• broadleaf deciduous trees, breech, maple, oak and hickory

woodland/shrubland

• a biome characterized by hot, dry summers, and mild rainy winters

• coast of southern california(called chaparral), southern america(called matorral), in Southern Africa(fynbos), and in the Mediterranean Sea (maquis)

• 12 month growing season

woodland/shrubland flora and fauna

• plant growth is constrained by high temp and low precipitation in summer.

• favor the natural ocurrance of wild fires

• drought resistant shrubs such as yucca

• soil in this biome are low of nutrients

• uses of this biome are grazing by animals and growing grapes

Temperate grassland/ cold deserts

• a biome characterized by cold, harsh winters, and hot, dry summers

• found in the great plains of north america, called prairies, South America, and in central and Eastern Europe.

Temperate grassland/ cold deserts flora and fauna

• grasses and nonwoody flowering plants, these plants are typically are well adapted. to wild fires and frequent grazing.

• the amount of rainfall determines how plants can survive in a region.

• cold deserts have sparser vegetation that prairies.

Tropical Rainforest

• a warm and wet biome, with little seasonal temperature variation and high precipitation

• because of heavy rainfall, productivity is high, and decomposing is extremely rapid.

• soil is not so nutrient because of abundance of plants soaking up nutrient

• tropical rainforest contain more biodiversity that any other biome

Tropical Rainforest flora and fauna

• distinctive layers of vegetation

• large trees, smaller trees, plants that hold pools of water, woody vines(lianas)

• animals include jaguars, orangutans, and red-eyed tree frogs.

Tropical Seasonal Forests/ Savanna

• A biome marked by warm temperatures and distinct wet and dry seasons

• seasonal pattern cause by the movement of the ITCZ

• trees drop their leaves during the dry season to survive

• AKA Tropical deciduous forests

• Think madagascar

• soil can be farmed, fairly fertile

subtropical desert

• a biome with hot temp, extremely dry conditions, and sparse vegetation

• includes Mohave desert, the Sahara, and Arabian desert

subtropical desert flora and fauna

• cacti, euphorbs, and succulent plants

• leaves of desert plants might be small, or non-existent

• photosysnthesis occurs in the plants stem and can continue through dry period

• desert plants have developed defense mechanisms