MODULE 5 – BIOMES
Biomes are large community unit where the plant species are more or less uniform which provides a basis for ecological
classification. The species of flora and fauna in different biomes are different as organisms are suited best to its
environment.
Biome - a region of the planet Earth where the climate and geography determine its flora and fauna (plant and animal).
a major life zone where large community of plants and animals with similar life forms reside. The plants in a
biome provide food for the animal and in turn, animal assist plants in pollination and spreading seeds so new plants will
grow. Therefore, plants and animals heavily rely on each other for survival.
The biomes of the world are:
TUNDRA
located in the polar region (north of latitude 60° North) Regions south of the ice caps of the Arctic and extending
across North America, Europe, and Siberia (high mountain tops)
characterized by absence of trees, dwarf plants and an upper ground surface which is wet, spongy and rough.
the coldest biome of the world
receives low amounts of precipitation which makes the tundra similar to a desert.
winters are long, dark, and cold, with mean temperatures below 0°C for six to 10 months of the year.
Permafrost - defining characteristic of the tundra biome (a layer of permanently frozen ground below the surface)
Plant Community: Dominant vegetation is grass, wedge, lichens, mosses, and shrubs. Some tundra has trees
such as birch trees and willow trees.
Animal Community: polar bears, snowy owl, artic hare, artic fox, caribou, musk ox and others. These animals
are well adapted to the cold regions of this biome.
SHRUBLAND
regions such as chaparral, woodland and savanna
areas that are located in west coastal regions between 30° and 40° North and South latitude
hot and dry in the summer, while cool and moist in the winter
usually get more rain (between 200 to 1,000 millimeters a year) than deserts and grasslands but less than forested
areas
Plant Community: Aromatic herbs (sage, rosemary, thyme, oregano), shrubs, acacia, chamise, grasses
Animal Community: Jackals, rabbit, wolves, antelope, wildebeest and others
RAINFOREST
Two types: Tropical and Temperate
Tropical rainforests are found closer to the equator where it is warm.
Tropical rainforest receives more rain than any other biome on Earth.
Dense layers of plants develop in a tropical rain forest. These layers block sunlight from reaching the forest floor.
Some plants such as orchids grow on tree branches instead of on the dark forest floor.
Temperate rainforests are found near the cooler coastal areas further north or south of the equator.
Temperate rainforest features cooler average temperature than tropical rainforest.
Plant Community: Plant community is very diverse, large tall trees, acacia tree, jackfruit, mosses, shrubs and
others.
Animal Community: Birds, monkeys, and sloths live in the upper layers of the rain forest. Leaf cutter ants,
jaguars, snakes, and anteaters live in the lower layers. Animal community is more diverse.
GRASSLAND
often open and continuous
Temperature Dependent on latitude, yearly range can be between -20°C to 30°C.
Precipitation is about 500 to 900 mm of rain per year.
Grasses vary in size from 2.1 m (7 ft) tall with roots extending down into the soil 1.8 m (6 ft), to the short grasses
growing to a height of only 20 to 25 cm (8 to 10 in) tall. These short grasses can have roots that extend 1 m (about
3 ft) deep.
Plant Community: Mostly Grasses
Animal Community: Elephants, bison, cheetahs, gazelles, lions, and tigers are some of the large animals living
on grasslands. Rabbits, gophers, prairie dogs, and many bird, lizard, and snake species are some of the small
animals that live there as well
DESERT
The driest biomes in the world which receives very little amount of precipitation per year amounting to less than
300 mm
Average temperature in day is about 38°C, and average of -3.9°C at night.
Gobi Desert is one of the coldest deserts while Sahara Desert is the world’s largest and hottest desert.
Plant community: Cacti, small bushes and grasses
Animal Community: Camel, scorpion, lizards, snakes, ostrich and others.
CONIFEROUS FOREST
found between the tundra to the north and the deciduous forest to the south.
One type of coniferous forest, the northern boreal forest, is found in 50° to 60°N latitudes
Precipitation in coniferous forests varies from 300 to 900 mm yearly.
Temperature is about -40°C to 20°C, average summer temperature is 10°C.
Plant community: Coniferous-evergreen trees. Trees that produce cones and needles leaves such as pine trees.
Animal Community: Moose, deer, reindeer and squirrels. Predators, or animals that prey on other animals for
food, include wolves, lynxes, bears, foxes and wolverines.
TEMPERATE DECIDUOUS FOREST
located in the mid-latitude areas
located between the Polar Regions and the tropics.
is exposed to warm and cold air masses that causes it to experience four seasons
Precipitation per year is about 750 to 1,500 mm of rain. Temperature range from -30°C to 30°C.
Plant Community: Deciduous forest is a home for different trees, shrubs, and herbs. Most of the trees are
broadleaf trees such as oak, maple, beech, hickory and chestnut.
Animal Community: chipmunks, weasel, rabbits, otters, monkeys, beavers, raccoons, porcupines and squirrels.
Bears, white-tailed deer, moose, tigers, elephants, giraffes, leopards, pandas and humans are some of the larger
mammals that live in this biome.
AQUATIC BIOMES
Water covers 70 percent of Earth’s surface (About 98 % saltwater and only 2 % freshwater)
a major component of the biosphere.
can be a marine biome (oceans, coral reefs and estuaries) or a freshwater biome (lakes, ponds, streams, rivers and
wetlands)
In large bodies of standing water (including the ocean and lakes), the water can be divided into zones based on the
amount of sunlight it receives. There is enough sunlight for photosynthesis only in - at most - the top 200 meters
of water. Water down to this depth is called the photic zone. Deeper water, where too little sunlight penetrates for
photosynthesis, is called the aphotic zone.
