APES - Biomes

tropical rain forest (description)

jungles w high biodiversity; near equator

tropical rain forest (climate)

lots of rain, hot w little temperature variation, high competition

tropical rain forest (soil)

nutrient poor due to speed at which plants take up nutrients, bad for agriculture

tropical rain forest (threat)

deforestation, exotic pet trade (palm oil)

temperate rain forest (description)

temperate coastal zones near mountains, lots of moss

temperate rain forest (climate)

lots of rain, mold and cool all year

temperate rain forest (soil)

rich, wet soils

temperate deciduous (seasonal) forest (description)

forests w trees that shed leaves: 30-50 degrees latitude

temperate deciduous (seasonal) forest (climate)

ample rain'; high temperature variation; cold winters & hot summers

temperate deciduous (seasonal) forest (soil)

nutrient rich due to high decomposition rate; good for agriculture

taiga (boreal) (description)

evergreen, coniferous forest; northern below subarctic

taiga (boreal) (climate)

very cold; long, dark, dry winters; rain during summer

taiga (boreal) (soil)

slow forming due to slow decomposition & high acidity; not good for agriculture

temperate grassland (description)

located on interior of continents; mountains block rain clouds; dominated by grasses

temperate grassland (climate)

hot summers & cold winters; intermediate rain; fires

temperate grassland (soil)

most fertile; best for agriculture

temperate grassland (threat)

soil erosion caused by cattle grazing and crop farms

savannas & tropical seasonal forests (description)

tropical & subtropical grasslands; few trees in savannas; season forests get more rain and have more trees

savannas & tropical seasonal forests (climate)

hot all year; dry climate with wet season

savannas & tropical seasonal forests (soil)

fertile; fires help restore nutrients

chaparral/shrubland (description)

temperate woodlands dominated by shrubs

chaparral/shrubland (climate)

mild climate with hot summers & mild winters; dry summers & wet winters; fires

chaparral/shrubland (soil)

dry, sandy, rocky; nutrient poor

chaparral/shrubland (threat)

human development due to desirable weather

desert (description)

many located near large mountain ranges, blocks rain clouds; dominated by succulent plants

desert (climate)

extreme temperatures; mostly hot, some cold deserts; long periods of drought

desert (soil)

sandy, porous

tundra (description)

treelesss plain, located in arctic or antarctic

tundra (climate)

very cold winters with short, cool summers; rain in summer but dry winters

tundra (soil)

only top centimeter of soil thaw in summer

• permafrost: permanently frozen layer of soil