APES Terrestrial Biomes

Tundra: Climate

A cold, treeless biome with low-growing vegetation. In the winter, the soil is completely frozen with permafrost. The four month summer season is the growing season. The temperature does not exceed 20F and is no colder than -30F. The annual precipitation is 6-10 inches.

Tundra: Location

Most of Greenland, parts of Alaska, Canada, coastal areas of the arctic, and northern Russia.

Tundra: Producers

Arctic moss is able to store nutrients to grow new leaves next spring, which are crucial to photosynthesis, and it grows underwater to protect against the wind.

Tundra: Consumers

Arctic foxes has long fur that changes color in accordance to the season for means of camouflage and warmth.

Tundra: Special Factors

Permafrost is a completely frozen layer of soil.

Tundra: Human Impacts

Air and water pollution from drilling for oil, mining, and the use of pesticides contaminating waterways.

Boreal Forest: Climate

A biome consisting of coniferous trees with constrained plant growth due to very cold and dry conditions. This biome features cold winters, hot and rainy summers, and brief springs and autumns. The lowest temperature is -65F whereas the highest temperature is 70F. The annual precipitation is 12-33 inches.

Boreal Forest: Location

In the northern hemisphere and in Alaska, Canada, Scandinavia, Russia, and China.

Boreal Forest: Producers

Coniferous trees have needles that reduce water loss to adapt to the dry climate, allows snow to fall off easily, and releases tannin into the soil that defends against competing producers and hungry consumers.

Boreal Forest: Special Factors

Pine needles release tannin that makes the soil acidic and limits the number of producers able to occupy the soil, as well as the predators.

Boreal Forest: Consumers

The American Black Bear has thick fur to keep warm during everyday life as well as during hibernation.

Boreal Forest: Human Impacts

Coniferous trees are used for paper and goods, which means humans increase the deforestation rate.

Temperate Rainforest: Climate

A coastal biome with moderate temperatures and high precipitation, especially in winter. This biome has rainy winters and foggy summers. There is a 12 month growing season.

Temperate Rainforest: Location

The coasts of North America, southern Chile, eastern Australia, and western New Zealand.

Temperate Rainforest: Producers

Redwoods (coniferous trees) have thick bark and high water content help to protect against fires, and allow the plant to absorb water from

Temperate Rainforest: Consumers

The American Bald Eagle has exceptional eyesight for distance. They also have a bony overhang above their eyes to block the sun's rays, and bumps on their feet called spicules that help the eagle grip food in flight.
Its curved beak also helps the bird of prey to tear open fish and food.

Temperate Rainforest: Special Factors

Fires wipe out the dead material and allow new life to flourish.

Temperate Rainforest: Human Impacts

Slash and burn leads to promotes deforestation by forcing farmers to move over to the land.

Temperate Seasonal Rainforest: Climate

A biome with warm summers and cold winters. Temperatures range from slightly below freezing to 70F. The average annual rainfall is 14-18 inches.

Temperate Seasonal Rainforest: Location

Eastern U.S., Japan, China, Europe, Chile, and Eastern Australia.

Temperate Seasonal Rainforest: Producers

Maple trees have broad green leaves that capture more sunlight for photosynthesis, and they lose their leaves in winter to reduce water loss from transpiration.

Temperate Seasonal Rainforest: Consumers

Deer are able to change the color of their fur with the seasons for camouflage.

Temperate Seasonal Rainforest: Special Factors

Fires wipe out the dead material and allow new life to flourish.

Temperate Seasonal Rainforest: Human Impacts

Farming leads to deforestation by occupying more land.

Chaparral: Climate

A biome consisting of hot, dry grasslands with trees and shrubs. There is a 12 month growing season. In the winter, temperatures are as low as 50F whereas during the summer, the temperature can reach 104F. The amount of annual rainfall is 10-17 inches.

Chaparral: Location

Western coast of the U.S., the west coast of South America, the Cape Town region of South Africa, western tip of Australia, and coastal areas of the Mediterranean.

Chaparral: Producers

The coyote brush has fired retardant leaves to prevent the plant from catching fire.

Chaparral: Consumers

Black- tailed jackrabbits have very long ears. They can increase and decrease the blood through through their ears, which lets them control their body temperature.

Chaparral: Special Factors

Fires and droughts wipe out the dead material and allow new life to flourish.

Chaparral: Human Impacts

When cattle over grazes, the productivity level lowers. 1

Temperate Grassland: Climate

A biome with harsh, cold winters and hot, dry summers. This biome has the lowest average participation except for deserts.

Temperate Grassland: Location

Great Plains of North America, South America, Central Asia, and Eastern Europe.

Temperate Grassland: Producers

The grasses and sod are flame retardant and do not burn easily.

Temperate Grassland: Consumers

Prairie dogs have sharp claws to dig burrows in hard ground, sharp incisors to clip grass, and strong hind legs to stand upright and scan for predators.

Temperate Grassland: Special Factors

Fires wipe out the dead material and allow new life to flourish.

Temperate Grassland: Human Impacts

When cattle over grazes, the productivity level lowers. 2

Tropical Rainforest: Climate

A biome with a high precipitation and biodiversity levels, and little variation in seasons. The average temperature is 70F, and the biome has a 12 month growing season. The annual rainfall is 50-260 inches.

Tropical Rainforest: Location

Central and South America, Africa, Northeastern Australia, and Southeast Asia.

Tropical Rainforest: Producers

Bengal Bamboo adapts by growing fast and tall in order to obtain the most rainfall and sunlight.

Tropical Rainforest: Consumers

The Toco Toucan has strong toes that help it grip tree branches and balance themselves.

Tropical Rainforest: Special Factors

Bambusa Tulda reduces soil erosion.

Tropical Rainforest: Human Impacts

Slash and burn leads to promotes deforestation by forcing farmers to move over to the land.

Savanna: Climate

A biome with tufted grasses, large trees, and fertile soil. The winters are dry and the summers are wet and are the months of growth. The temperature varies from 68F to 86F. The annual rainfall is 10-30 inches.

Savanna: Location

Central and South America, Southern Asia, Northwestern Australia, and sub-Saharan Africa.

Savanna: Producers

Bermuda Grass has a deep root system which helps the plant obtain the maximum amount of water during droughts.

Savanna: Consumers

Elephants have tusks for digging, large ears to reduce excess body heat when flapped, and trunks to pick up food and water, and throw dirt on their backs (protection from sun and insects.)

Savanna: Special Factors

Fires wipe out the dead material and allow new life to flourish.

Savanna: Human Impacts

Poaching- threatens endangered species.

Subtropical Desert: Climate

A biome with sparse vegetation, and an extremely hot and dry climate.

Subtropical Desert: Location

Sahara Desert, Mojave Desert of U.S, Arabian Desert of the Middle East, and Great Victoria of Australia.

Subtropical Desert: Producers

Cacti have a thick, waxy cuticle and are able to close and open their stomata and have spines which prevents water loss. Cacti also either use a tap root system or wide, shallow roots to obtain the most water.

Subtropical Desert: Consumers

Camels have large, flat feet to spread weight on sand. They also have slit-like nostrils and two rows of eyelashes to keep out sand. Camels even have thick fur on top of body for shade and thin fur on bottom of body to keep cool.

Subtropical Desert: Special Factors

Rain- the plants are so well adapted to drought, that excessive rain can be harmful.

Subtropical Desert: Human Impacts

Extraction- mining and drilling for fossil fuels leads to atmospheric pollution (CO2 emissions.)