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Biomes and Climate
Climate Average weather conditions of an area over a long period of time
Mainly precipitation and temperatures
3 Climate Zones on Earth
1. Tropical
2. Temperate
3. Polar
Natural Factors that affect climate
1. Latitude (distance from the equator)
Natural Factors that affect climate
2. Prevailing winds in the Atmosphere
Natural Factors that affect climate
3. Mountain formations
(topography)
Natural Factors that affect climate
4. Large Water Bodies
Natural Factors that affect climate
5. Ocean Currents
Biomes Region of similar climate
Similar plant/animal life
Tropical Zone
~ The region that surrounds the equator
~ Receive the most solar radiation
~Temperatures are usually hot, except at high elevations
~ Includes :
Tropical Rain Forests
Tropical Savannas
Tropical Deserts
Temperate Zones~ The climate zone between the Tropics
and the polar zone
~ Receive less solar energy than latitudes in the Tropics
~ Temperatures tend to be lower than the Tropics
~Includes:
Temperate Forest
Temperate Grassland
Chaparral
Temperate Desert
Polar Zone
~The North or South Pole and its surrounding area
~Has the coldest average temperatures (below freezing all winter and cool summers)
~Includes:
Tundra
Taiga
Marine Biomes
~Shaped by abiotic factors – temperature, water depth, amount of sunlight that passes into the water. The largest of all biomes. Water covers ¾ of the Earth
~Organisms of all sizes can be found
~Includes
Freshwater
Saltwater
Freshwater and Saltwater
Freshwater includes: ponds, lakes, streams, rivers, and wetlands
Saltwater includes: oceans, coral reefs, estuaries
Rain Forest Biome (Tropical)Temperature: Warm and wet; seasons do not
vary
Precipitation: Lots of rain (more than 200cm/yr)
Soil: Thin and Nutrient Poor
Plants/Animals: greatest number of any biome; most diverse place on Earth
Savanna (Tropical)Temperature: usually
very warm
Precipitation: dry season 4-8 months followed by short periods of rain
Soil: nutrient poor (grass fires during the dry season leave the soils nutrient enriched)
Plants/Animals: tall grasses, trees, and thorny shrubs, lions, crocodiles and elephants
Africa and South America
Tropical Desert Biome (Tropical) Temperature: extremely hot
usually with cooler nights Precipitation: driest place on
Earth. Soil: poor in organic matter which
is needed for plant growth. Plants/Animals: only those that
have adapted to live with little water: snakes, rats, plants that are able to store water.
Temperate Forest (Temperate)Temperature: Cool winters; warm summers/mild
Precipitation: regular and plenty of it
Soil: very fertile and organically rich
1. Deciduous forest (temperate)
~Trees lose leaves
~Lots of animal and plant types
2. Coniferous forest (temperate)~Tall pine trees, small plants~Lots of animals
Temperate Grassland (Temperate)
Temperatures vary: Winters are cold; Summers are hot
Precipitation: seasonal; some regions receive too little rainfall for trees to grow
Soil: most fertile soils of all biomes
Chaparral(temperate)
Temp: Hot, dry summers; Cool, wet winters
Moderate precipitation
Low lying plants mostly
Rocky/Poor soil
Temperate Desert (temperate)
• Temperature: Tend to be cold deserts (light snow during the winter)
• Precipitation: less than 25cm yearly
• Soil: poor in organic matter
• These deserts can be hot in the daytime, but they are often VERY cold at night
Tundra Biome (Polar) Temperatures are very cold
Short summers with almost 24 hrs of light Long cold winters with almost 24hrs of night
Precipitation is very limited Soil is frozen most of the year with only
the top layer thawing in the summer
Taiga (Polar) Temp: Long cold winters;
Short summers Precipitation is moderate Soil: acidic which most
plants cannot grow in. Majority of the trees are evergreen.
Microclimates
The climate of a small The climate of a small area.area.
Alpine Biome is an Alpine Biome is an exampleexample Mountain topsMountain tops Above tree lineAbove tree line All around world—even in All around world—even in
the Tropics!the Tropics!