BIOMES 3).
Taiga
Biomes – are the largest geographic regions containing distinctive plant and Location: Canada, Europe, Asia, and the United States
animal communities.
- the distribution is determined by the difference in climate. Description: Also known as “Coniferous forests.” Taiga regions have
cold, long, snowy winters, and warm, humid summers;
DIFFERENT TYPES OF WORLD BIOMES well-defined seasons
1). Tropical Rainforest Plants: Coniferous-evergreen trees (trees that produce cones
needles). The trees are narrow and grow very close
Location: Near the equator between the Tropic of Cancer and the Tropic of together. This is so they can help protect each other from
Capricorn. South America, Asia, Pacific Islands, Australia, New the weather. There are also moss, lichen, and other
Zealand, and Africa species of plants.
Description: Receives an incredible amount of rain. The constant moist and warm Animals: Snow, cold, and a scarcity of food make life very difficult,
conditions make it home for several varieties of plants and animals especially in the winter. Some taiga animals migrate south,
(including the exotic ones). Lush greens and vibrant colors. Tropical others go into hibernation, while others simply cope with the
trees stay green all year. environment.
2). Temperate Forest 4). Tundra
Location: Eastern United States, Canada, Europe, China, and Japan Location: Regions south of the ice caps in the Artic. In North America, Europe,
and Siberia.
Description: Temperate forests grow in milder climate. The weather changes with Description: Coldest biome and also covers 1/5 of the Earth’s surface. Its climate
four distinct seasons. Leaves change color in autumn, fall off in the is very cold. Most of the water is permanently frozen in the soil
winter, and grow back in the spring. This adaptation allows plants to as permafrost.
survive the cold winters. Animals living within this biome must adjust
to cold winters and hot summers by hibernating, migrating, or keeping Plants: lichens, mosses, grasses, sedges, shrubs. Almost no trees due to
active all winter. short growing season and permafrost
Animals: Every animal must adapt in order to survive. Some have grown thick
fur which turns white in the winter. Others find a place to hibernate
during the winter months.
5). Grassland
Location: Every continent except Antarctica
Description: Grasslands are big open spaces. There are not many bushes in the
grassland. Trees are found only by rivers and streams. Savannah is
the widely known type of grassland which is classified as tropical
grassland.
Animals: Many large herds of grazing animals such as zebras or bison.
Animals live in herds for protection, because there are few trees and
bushes to camouflage themselves.
6). Desert
Location: North & South America, Africa, Middle East, Australia, and Asia
Description: Extremely hot and dry (less than 10 inches of rain a year). Some
deserts can be cold at night. Deserts are arid (very dry).
Plants: Cacti, small bushes, and short grasses. Desert plants are adapted to
collect and store water, and/or reduce water loss.
Animals: Animals in this biome must adapt to intense heat and lack of water.
Some animals never drink water, instead they get water from the
seeds and plants that they consume. Many animals are nocturnal so
that they do not have to combat the sun’s heat.
