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!