Terrestrial Terrestrial Environments Environments

Around the Around the WorldWorld

Foss Science – Environments Foss Science – Environments KitKit

BiomesBiomes• Cover large areas of landCover large areas of land

• The same biomes may occur in The same biomes may occur in different parts of the world.different parts of the world.

• Specific types of biomes have a Specific types of biomes have a similar climate, soil conditions and similar climate, soil conditions and average annual rainfall no matter average annual rainfall no matter where they occur in the world.where they occur in the world.

Biome #1Biome #1

Tropical RainforestTropical Rainforest• Has more species of life than any other terrestrial Has more species of life than any other terrestrial

environment.environment.

• Contains 2 million to 20 million species of animals – 80% of Contains 2 million to 20 million species of animals – 80% of life forms in the rainforest haven’t even been identified yet!life forms in the rainforest haven’t even been identified yet!

• Located in Australia, Asia, Africa, Central and South America, Located in Australia, Asia, Africa, Central and South America, the Caribbean Islands, and the Pacific Islands.the Caribbean Islands, and the Pacific Islands.

• Climate is constantly warm and moist (lots of rainfall!)Climate is constantly warm and moist (lots of rainfall!)

• Trees form a Trees form a canopy canopy which blocks out light on the forest floorwhich blocks out light on the forest floor

• Soil is shallow and not fertile; trees give plants the nutrients Soil is shallow and not fertile; trees give plants the nutrients they needthey need

• More animals that live in the rainforest live in the trees than More animals that live in the rainforest live in the trees than on the groundon the ground

• Rainforests are being destroyed to create farmland and to Rainforests are being destroyed to create farmland and to use the trees for lumberuse the trees for lumber

Biome #2Biome #2

Temperate Deciduous Temperate Deciduous ForestForest

• Have variable climates (change during the year) and Have variable climates (change during the year) and deciduous trees that shed their leaves in fall and deciduous trees that shed their leaves in fall and grow new ones in the springgrow new ones in the spring

• Animals and plants are able to adapt to changes in Animals and plants are able to adapt to changes in heat, moisture and food. Some hibernate, others heat, moisture and food. Some hibernate, others grow thick coats of fur, and many of the birds migrate grow thick coats of fur, and many of the birds migrate south.south.

• Receives more rain than any other biome except the Receives more rain than any other biome except the rainforest.rainforest.

• Soil is very rich and is used for farmland when trees Soil is very rich and is used for farmland when trees are cleared.are cleared.

• Many are found in the Eastern United States.Many are found in the Eastern United States.

Biome #3Biome #3

SavannaSavanna• Made up of grasslands that have fairly infertile soilMade up of grasslands that have fairly infertile soil

• Found mostly in the tropicsFound mostly in the tropics

• Often have a season of heavy rainfall followed by a season Often have a season of heavy rainfall followed by a season of droughtof drought

• Some areas have trees and tall grasses that grow to be 10 Some areas have trees and tall grasses that grow to be 10 feet high. In other savannas, grass grows in short clumps feet high. In other savannas, grass grows in short clumps and there are few trees.and there are few trees.

• Grasses have deep roots. If the area catches on fire, grass Grasses have deep roots. If the area catches on fire, grass above the ground is burned, but the deep roots are above the ground is burned, but the deep roots are protected and allow it to grow back quickly.protected and allow it to grow back quickly.

• Wide variety of animal life – zebras, antelope, wildebeests, Wide variety of animal life – zebras, antelope, wildebeests, lions, hyenas, and cheetahs.lions, hyenas, and cheetahs.

Biome #4Biome #4

Temperate GrasslandTemperate Grassland• 25% of the Earth’s land surface25% of the Earth’s land surface

• Flat or hilly country – cover much of North Flat or hilly country – cover much of North AmericaAmerica

• Found in the interiors of continentsFound in the interiors of continents

• Climate is very dry; summers are hot and Climate is very dry; summers are hot and winters are often very coldwinters are often very cold

• Grassland soil is very rich in nutrientsGrassland soil is very rich in nutrients

• Animals have developed ways to survive in the Animals have developed ways to survive in the harsh, extreme conditionsharsh, extreme conditions

Biome #5Biome #5

Artic TundraArtic Tundra• A cold, dry biome located in the far north just below the A cold, dry biome located in the far north just below the

polar ice cap.polar ice cap.

• Very low temperatures and little rainfall or snowVery low temperatures and little rainfall or snow

• 20% of the Earth’s land surface is tundra.20% of the Earth’s land surface is tundra.

• Soil is permanently frozen – called Soil is permanently frozen – called permafrostpermafrost..

• The growing season is short and plants grow slowly; trees The growing season is short and plants grow slowly; trees don’t grow theredon’t grow there

• Animals adapt to harsh climate conditions of the tundra – Animals adapt to harsh climate conditions of the tundra – polar bears, caribou, ground squirrels, musk oxenpolar bears, caribou, ground squirrels, musk oxen

• Alpine tundraAlpine tundra is a biome with conditions similar to the Arctic is a biome with conditions similar to the Arctic tundra but are found at the tops of tall mountains all over tundra but are found at the tops of tall mountains all over the world.the world.

Biome #6Biome #6

DesertDesert• Moisture evaporates quicker than rainfall can replace Moisture evaporates quicker than rainfall can replace

it.it.

• Many types of soil and terrain – rocky, sandy, flat or Many types of soil and terrain – rocky, sandy, flat or mountainousmountainous

• 20% of Earth’s land surface is desert20% of Earth’s land surface is desert

• The hottest places on earth!The hottest places on earth!

• Fewer plant and animal species live here – have to be Fewer plant and animal species live here – have to be able to adapt to the harsh weather conditionsable to adapt to the harsh weather conditions

• Many animals are nocturnal.Many animals are nocturnal.

• Plants are found far from one another. They store Plants are found far from one another. They store water in their root systems or stems.water in their root systems or stems.

• Receives very little rainfall per year.Receives very little rainfall per year.