7.5 Biomes — KEY for Matching Set 6

Tropical Rainforest

Near equator. Warm year-round, >200 cm rainfall/year. HIGHEST BIODIVERSITY on Earth. Dense canopy. Examples: Amazon, Congo.

Temperate Deciduous Forest

Moderate temperatures, seasonal changes, 75–150 cm rainfall. Trees shed leaves in fall. Example: Eastern US, Europe.

Taiga (Boreal Forest)

Cold, long winters, short summers. Coniferous (evergreen) trees — spruce, fir, pine. Found across Canada, Russia. Second largest biome.

Tundra

Near poles. PERMAFROST (permanently frozen ground). No trees. Very low biodiversity. Short growing season. Example: Arctic, high mountains.

Grassland / Savanna

Hot, seasonal rainfall. Few trees. Support large herbivores (zebra, bison). Savanna = tropical grassland; Prairie/Steppe = temperate grassland.

Desert

Freshwater Biome

Lakes, rivers, ponds, wetlands. Contains little salt. Supports unique food webs.

Marine/Ocean Biome

Covers ~71% of Earth's surface. Salt water. Most productive biome on Earth for photosynthesis (phytoplankton).

Chaparral (Shrubland)

Mild wet winters, hot dry summers. Dense shrubs. Fire-adapted plants. Found in coastal California, Mediterranean region.