NAME: ______________________________________________
Color the different biomes based on the given color scheme. TUNDRA – Violet, TAIGA – blue, GRASSLAND – orange, DESERT – Yellow, TROPICAL RAIN FOREST – Green, DECIDUOUS
FOREST - red
NAME: _______________________
Complete each paragraph by supplying the correct word from the choices below.
TUNDRA
Extending in a band below the [1] across northern North America, [2], and [3] in Asia is the tundra. The tundra is a [4] biome
with a layer of permanently [5] soil below the surface called [6]. Although the ground [7] to a depth of a few centimeters in the
summer, its constant cycles of [8] and thawing do not allow tree roots to grow.
Europe freezing frozen permafrost
polar ice caps Siberia treeless thaws
TAIGA
[9] of the tundra is a broad band of dense [10] forest extending across North America, Europe, and Asia, called the [11] forest.
The boreal forest, also is called northern [12] forest, or taiga. Summers in the boreal forest are [13] and somewhat warmer
than in the tundra, enabling the ground to remain warmer than in the tundra. Boreal forests, therefore, lack a [14] layer.
boreal coniferous evergreen longer
north permafrost shorter south
TEMPERATE FOREST
Temperate forests cover much of southeastern [15], the eastern United States, most of [16], and parts of [17] and Australia.
The temperate forest is composed mostly of [18]-leaved, deciduous trees—trees that shed their leaves in [19]. The falling red,
orange, and gold leaves return nutrients to the soil. [20] are cold. In spring, warm temperature and precipitation restart the
growth cycles of plants and trees. [21] are hot.
Asia autumn broad Canada
Europe narrow summer winter
GRASSLAND
A biome that is characterized by [22] soils that are able to support a thick cover of [23] is called grassland. [24], grazing
animals, and fires keep grasslands from becoming [25]. Due to their underground stems and buds, perennial grasses and
herbs are not eliminated by the [26] that destroy most shrubs and trees. Temperate grasslands are found in North America,
South America, Asia, Africa, and Australia. Grasslands are called [27] in Asia; [28] in North America; pampas, llanos, and
cerrados in South America; [29] and velds in Africa; and rangelands in Australia.
drought fertile fires grasses
forests prairies savannahs steppes
DESERT
Deserts exist on every continent except [30]. A desert is any area in which the annual rate of [31] exceeds the rate of [32]. You
might imagine a desert as a desolate place full of sand dunes, but many deserts do not match that description. Deserts can be
home to a wide variety of plants and animals.
Australia Europe evaporation precipitation
TROPICAL RAIN FOREST
[33] temperatures and large amounts of [34] throughout the year characterize the tropical rain forest biome Tropical rain forests
are found in much of [35] and South America, southern Asia, western Africa, and northeastern Australia. The tropical rain forest
is the most [36] of all land biomes. Tall, [37] trees with branches heavy with [38], ferns, and orchids make up the [39] of the
tropical rain forest. Shorter trees, shrubs, and plants, such as ferns and creeping plants, make up another layer, or [40], of
tropical rain forests
broad-leaf canopy central diverse
mosses needle-like north pine trees
rainfall shrubs understory warm
1 9 17 25 33
2 10 18 26 34
3 11 19 27 35
4 12 20 28 36
5 13 21 29 37
6 14 22 30 38
7 15 23 31 39
8 16 24 32 40
