1. What is biomes?

BIOMES

 Biomes are large areas on Earth with similar conditions, such as similar climates and similar
living organisms.
 Biomes are defined as "the world's major communities, classified according to the predominant
vegetation and characterized by adaptations of organisms to that particular environment"
(Campbell 1996).
 Biome, also called major life zone, the largest geographic biotic unit, a major community of
plants and animals with similar life forms and environmental conditions. It includes various
communities and is named for the dominant type of vegetation, such as grassland or coniferous
forest.

2. What are the major terrestrial biomes and their characteristics?

MAJOR TERRESTRIAL BIOMES

1. TUNDRA
The coldest biome is called the tundra. It is located at the North (Arctic) and South
(Antarctic) Poles. An alpine tundra is also found on top of mountains at very high elevations. The
vegetation is very low to the ground and includes short shrubs, grasses, and lichens. A layer of
permafrost, or permanently frozen soil, is usually present.
2. TAIGA
The taiga or boreal forest, is found south of the Arctic tundra. Here, it is cold and snowy.
The vegetation consists mostly of coniferous evergreen trees. Coniferous trees are those that
have needle-like leaves. This biome is also sometimes called the northern coniferous forest.
3. TEMPERATE DECIDUOUS FORESTS
The temperate deciduous forests have hot summers and cold winters. Vegetation
includes shrubs, mosses, and broadleaf trees. Broadleaf trees, such as oaks and maples, are
deciduous (lose their leaves during the winter). This is the natural biome for much of the eastern
United States.
4. TEMPERATE RAINFORESTS
Temperate rainforests have mild temperatures and rain all year long. They receive over
60 inches of rain a year and are home to many trees, mosses, and ferns. They occupy very small
areas on all continents except Antarctica. In the United States, temperate rainforests can be
found in Washington and Oregon.
5. TEMPERATE GRASSLAND
The prairies in the Midwestern United States are considered temperate grasslands.
These areas consist mostly of grasses and can be found on all continents except Antarctica.
There are usually no large shrubs or trees in temperate grasslands. While temperatures are
similar to those in temperate deciduous forests, there is usually less precipitation.
6. CHAPARRAL
The chaparral, or shrubland, biome is found in only a few small areas, including part of
Australia, around the Mediterranean Sea, and in most of California. This biome contains mostly
shrubs and is hot and dry in the summer. In winter, it is cool and moist. Fires occur frequently in
chaparral areas, so many plants have thick waxy coatings to resist fire damage. Additionally,
many plants rely on fires for proper germination of their seeds.
7. DESERT
Deserts are very dry areas with generally less than 10 inches of rain a year. Deserts can
be either hot, like those in Africa, or cold, such as in Antarctica. Temperatures usually change
dramatically between night and day. The only plants that live in deserts are those that are
adapted to conserve water. These include cacti and some shrubs and grasses.
8. SAVANNA
Savannas are also sometimes called tropical grasslands because they are found in the
warm tropics and consist mostly of grasses. Savannas have both a rainy season and a dry season.
During droughts, fires commonly kill any trees that may have started growing. You are probably
most familiar with African savannas that are home to elephants, giraffes, and zebras.