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Biomes

A biome is a large naturally occurring community of flora and fauna occupying a major habitat. Biomes are defined by factors like temperature and precipitation which influence characteristic plant and animal life. There are nine main terrestrial biomes including tundra, temperate grasslands, and tropical savannas, categorized based on average annual temperature. Aquatic biomes also exist, divided into freshwater and marine categories based on characteristics such as salinity and depth. Each biome supports distinctive communities of organisms adapted to its environmental conditions.

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83 views21 pages

Biomes

A biome is a large naturally occurring community of flora and fauna occupying a major habitat. Biomes are defined by factors like temperature and precipitation which influence characteristic plant and animal life. There are nine main terrestrial biomes including tundra, temperate grasslands, and tropical savannas, categorized based on average annual temperature. Aquatic biomes also exist, divided into freshwater and marine categories based on characteristics such as salinity and depth. Each biome supports distinctive communities of organisms adapted to its environmental conditions.

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Abdul Moiz Khan
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We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Biomes

Biomes
A biome is a kind of ecosystem, such as a desert, a tropical rain forest, or a grassland.

The same biome can occur on different continents because similar environments provide similar
opportunities for life and similar constraints.

These terrestrial regions have characteristic types of natural communities adapted to the climate
of each region.
Biomes
Biomes have a particular combination of

Average annual temperature

Annual precipitation

Distinctive plant growth forms that are adapted to that climate.


Distribution of Biomes
On the basis of climatic conditions we can divide terrestrial biomes into three categories.

Boreal and tundra biomes have average annual temperatures below 5°C (41°F)

Temperate biomes have average annual temperatures between 5°C and 20°C (68°F), and

Tropical biomes have average annual temperatures above 20°C.

Within each of these temperature ranges, we can observe a wide range of precipitation.
Characteristic of Biomes
Within these three categories are a total of nine biomes. We will examine each of these biomes in
turn, looking at its

Temperature and precipitation patterns

Geographic distribution

 Typical plant growth forms


Animal Biodiversity
Note that although terrestrial biomes are categorized by plant growth forms, the animal species
living in different biomes are often quite distinctive as well.

For example, rodents inhabiting deserts around the world have a number of adaptations for hot,
dry climates, including highly efficient kidneys that allow very little water loss via urination.
Tundra
The tundra is characterized by permafrost, a layer of permanently frozen subsoil.

During the short, cool summer, the ground thaws to a depth of a few centimeters and becomes
soggy and wet.

In winter, the topsoil freezes again. This cycle of thawing and freezing, which rips and crushes
plant roots, is one reason that tundra plants are small and stunted.

Cold temperatures, high winds; the short growing season, and humus-poor soils also limit plant
height
Characteristic Features
Abiotic factors: strong winds; low precipitation; short and soggy summers; long, cold, and dark

winters;. poorly developed soils; permafrost

Dominant plants: ground-hugging plants such as mosses, lichens, sedges, and short grasses

Dominant wildlife: a few resident birds and mammals that can withstand the harsh conditions;

migratory waterfowl, shore birds, musk ox, Arctic foxes, and caribou; lemmings and other small

rodents
Geographic distribution:
northern North America,
Asia, and Europe
Temperate Grassland
Characterized by a rich mix of grasses and under laid by some of the world's most fertile soils,

temperate grasslands

◦ – such as plains and prairies – once covered vast areas of the Midwestern United States.

◦ Since the development of the steel plow, however, most have been converted to agricultural

fields.

◦ Periodic fires and heavy grazing by large herbivores maintain the characteristic plant

community
Characteristic features
oAbiotic factors: warm to hot summers; cold winters; moderate, seasonal precipitation; fertile
soils; occasional fires

oDominant plants: lush, perennial grasses and herbs; most are resistant to drought, fire, and cold

oDominant wildlife: predators such as coyotes and badgers -- historically included wolves and
grizzly bears; herbivores such as mule deer, pronghorn antelope, rabbits, prairie dogs, and
introduced cattle -- historically included bison; birds such as hawks, owls, bobwhite, prairie
chicken, mountain plover; reptiles such as snakes; insects such as ants and grasshoppers
Geographic distribution: central
Asia, North America, Australia,
central Europe,
and upland plateaus of South
America
Tropical Savanna
Receiving more seasonal rainfall than deserts but less than tropical dry forests, tropical
savannas, or grasslands, are characterized by a cover of grasses.

Savannas are spotted with isolated trees and small groves of trees and shrubs.

Compact soils, fairly frequent fires, and the action of large animals such as rhinoceros prevent
some savanna areas from turning into dry forest.
Characteristic Features
oAbiotic factors: warm temperatures; seasonal rainfall; compact soil; frequent fires set by
lightning

oDominant plants: tall, perennial grasses; sometimes drought-tolerant and fire resistant trees or
shrubs

oDominant wildlife: predators such as lions, leopards, cheetahs, hyenas, and jackals; aardvarks;
herbivores such as elephants, giraffes, antelopes, and zebras; baboons; birds such as eagles,
ostriches, weaver birds, and storks; insects such as termites
Geographic distribution: large parts of
eastern Africa, southern Brazil, northern
Australia
Aquatic Biomes
Aquatic biomes
Aquatic biomes are categorized by physical characteristics such as
 Salinity

 Depth

 Water flow

Temperature is an important factor in determining which species can survive in a particular


aquatic habitat, but it is not a factor used to categorize aquatic biomes.
Categories of Aquatic biomes
Aquatic biomes fall into two broad categories:

Freshwater

Freshwater biomes include streams, rivers, lakes, and wetlands.

Marine

Saltwater biomes, also known as marine biomes, include shallow marine areas such as estuaries
and coral reefs as well as the open ocean.
Freshwater and Marine Biomes
The End

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