Terrestrial Biomes

Defined by climate, soil, and dominant plant/animal life

• shaped by temperature, precipitation, latitude, and elevation

Deserts:

• located 15-35 latitude

• Lowest moisture (rare precipitation)

• Lack of water → lack of plant growth → limiting factor for consumers/decomposers

• Tropical/Subtropical/True Deserts: far from moisture, exposed to sun

• Rain Shadow Desert:

  

  • moist air rises, cools and condenses, precipitation occurs wherein the air loses its moisture, then descends on leeward side as dry warm air

• Coastal Desert: