Activity No.

1- SF
Earth’s Biomes

Complete the Table and make an explanation of each type of biome.

Biome Water Temperature Soil Plants Animals
parse - insects, arachnids,
parse - succulents (like
Desert Almost none Hot or cold poor reptiles and birds (often
cactus), sage brush
nocturnal)

Taigas are thick forests.

acidic and lacking Terrestrial young and poor in Coniferous trees, such as Hibernating mammals and
Taiga
1 in nutrients subarctic, humid nutrients spruce, pine, and fir, are Non-hibernating Mammals
common.

contains more cold and can last Typically, podzols,

Small Rodents, Large
Boreal unfrozen for eight months gray soils that are
2 Coniferous species Herbivorous Mammals,
Forest freshwater than any between the months thin, acidic, and poor
Carnivorous Mammals
other ecosystem of October to May in nutrients.
Temperate Mosses, Stika Spruce and Small Birds, Insects, Mammals
Receives plenty of
3 Rain Warm or Cold Dark and Damp Western Hemlock, Other and Large Mammals,
rainfall
Forest Conifers Predatory Birds
 Temperate Freshwater from Lichen, Moss, Ferns,
Incest, Spiders, Slugs, Frogs,
4 Deciduous underground Hot and Cold Alfisols Wildflowers and other small
turtles and Salamanders
Forest springs plants
Plenty of sources Dry and Wet Deep and Dark with
5 Grassland Grasses Dominate the land Grazing animals
for water Seasons Fertile upper layers
Uses underground
Toyon, Chamise, Oak, Yucca,
6 Chaparral water system to get Hot and Dry Poor in Nutrients Mammals, Reptiles and Insects
Myrtle Hawthorn, and Broom
as much water
Porous with a rapid Dominated by Grass and Grazing Animals and
7 Savanna Little to no water Warm Climate
drainage of water some Shrubs Predators
Tropical
Rainwater, Lakes Hot Very, Humid Contains more species of Very Diverse and contains a
8 Rain Alfisols and Ultisols
and Rivers and Wet plants than any other biome variety of species
Forest

Explanation:
1. Taiga
a. Water
In some areas of the taiga, water from melted snow or permafrost accumulates at the surface. Due to the decaying conifer
needles and low temperatures, this water is usually acidic and lacking in nutrients—the perfect ingredients for creating spongy, moist
bogs.
b. Temperature
Taiga has a subarctic climate with very large temperature range between seasons. −20 °C (−4 °F) Would be a typical winter day
temperature and 18 °C (64 °F) an average summer day, but the long, cold winter is the dominant feature.
c. Soil
 The soil beneath the taiga often contains permafrost—a layer of permanently frozen soil. In other areas, a layer of bedrock lies
just beneath the soil. Both permafrost and rock prevent water from draining from the top layers of soil. This creates shallow bogs known
as muskegs
d. Plants
Taigas are thick forests. Coniferous trees, such as spruce, pine, and fir, are common. Coniferous trees have needles instead of
broad leaves, and their seeds grow inside protective, woody cones. While deciduous trees of temperate forests lose their leaves in
winter, conifers never lose their needles.
e. Animals
Mammals living in the taiga include foxes, lynxes, bears, minks, squirrels, while larger ones include grey wolves and their preys:
caribou, reindeers and moose. During the harsh winter, the majority of these mammals live within the forest, sheltered by the vegetation.
The species that do not hibernate have adjusted somehow to move nimbly on snow.

2. Boreal Forest
a. Water
Canada's boreal, the world's largest intact forest and on-land carbon storehouse, contains more unfrozen freshwater than any
other ecosystem, according to a first-of-its-kind report by the Pew Environment Group.
b. Temperature
Winters can last over 6 months, with average temperatures generally staying around -20° C (-4° F). Summers are short and stay
at about 50° F, but can get as high as 80° F in some areas. Precipitation rates are low (~15-20 inches annually) and fall mostly during the
summer months.
c. Soil
Soils in the boreal forest are typically podzols (from the Russian word for “ash”), gray soils that are thin, acidic, and poor in
nutrients. These soils lie beneath a mat of coniferous tree needles and other organic material that accumulates due to the slow
decomposition rates and limited soil microorganism activity that occurs in the cold climate.
 d. Plants
Because these trees face such harsh conditions, boreal forests are mostly dominated by coniferous species (see below). Six
genera of trees are found as canopy dominants across the entire extent of boreal forest: pine (Pinus), fir (Abies), larch (Larix), spruce
(Picea), birch (Betula), and aspen (Populus).
e. Animals
boreal forests usually have climates too harsh to support large human populations, they are home to a variety of other animals
that have adapted to these climate conditions. Animals commonly found in the boreal forests include small rodents (such as mice, rats
and squirrels) and larger herbivorous mammals (such as deer, moose, reindeer, and caribou). Carnivorous mammals found in boreal
forests include wolves, lynx, grizzly bears and foxes.

3. Temperate Rain Forest

a. Water
Considering the word ''rain” is found in the word ''rainforest,” it tells you right off that this biome receives plenty of rainfall. The
average annual precipitation of a temperate rainforest biome is 200cm. In much warmer areas, the average precipitation goes up to about
350 cm annually.
b. Temperature
Temperate rainforests are located in temperate regions along the coast. The average yearly temperature in rainforests are above
0◦ C or 32◦F. This is due to the oceans that are nearby. The warmest annual temperature has been around 20 degrees Celsius or 68
degrees Fahrenheit.
c. Soil
On the forest floor of temperate rainforests, the soil is dark and damp. This soil is richer than the soil of tropical rainforests
partly because the trees in tropical rainforests spread their roots into large mats that suck all of the nutrients out of the soil.
d. Plants
 Mosses, spike mosses, ferns and lichens festoon tree trunks and branches, giving the forest a "jungle-like" feel. Large, old trees.
The dominant species are Sitka spruce and western hemlock, but other conifers and several deciduous species grow as well.
e. Animals
Temperate rainforest animals range from small birds, insects and mammals to large mammals and predatory birds. While some
animals of the temperate rainforest are unique to that habitat, many would also be found on a list of nearby deciduous forest biome
animals.

4. Temperate Deciduous Forest

a. Water
Many freshwater tributaries begin as small springs seeping from the ground. Not only are these tiny water outlets dependent on
the ground water table for their annual flow, but also the cover of the forest canopy aids the process by repelling the intense heat of the
summer sun and thus decreasing the evaporation rate. In general, freshwater springs occur when ground water stored in underground
aquifers finds it’s way to the earth's surface.
b. Temperature
Temperature. The average daily temperatures range between -30°C (-22°F) and 30°C (86°F) with a yearly average of 10°C
(50°F). Hot summers and cold winters are typical in this biome.
c. Soil
Deciduous forests have soils called alfisols. These soils do not have a bleached E horizon, but do have clays that accumulate in
the subsoils. Alfisols are very common in the Midwestern region, and are the most fertile type of forest soils.
d. Plants
Temperate deciduous forests have a great variety of plant species. Most have three levels of plants. Lichen, moss, ferns,
wildflowers and other small plants can be found on the forest floor. Shrubs fill in the middle level and hardwood trees like maple, oak,
birch, magnolia, sweet gum and beech make up the third level.
 e. Animals
There is great diversity of life in this biome. Insects, spiders, slugs, frogs, turtles and salamanders are common. In North
America, birds like broad-winged hawks, cardinals, snowy owls, and pileated woodpeckers are found in this biome. Mammals in North
American temperate deciduous forests include white-tailed deer, raccoons, opossums, porcupines and red foxes.

5. Grassland
a. Water
Streams, vernal pools, playa lakes and prairie potholes are bodies of water found in grasslands.
b. Temperature
While temperatures are often extreme in some grasslands, the average temperatures are about -20°C to 30°C. Tropical grasslands
have dry and wet seasons that remain warm all the time. Temperate grasslands have cold winters and warm summers with some rain.
c. Soil
The soil of the temperate grasslands is deep and dark, with fertile upper layers. It is nutrient-rich from the growth and decay of
deep, many-branched grass roots. The rotted roots hold the soil together and provide a food source for living plants.
d. Plants
Taigas are thick forests. Coniferous trees, such as spruce, pine, and fir, are common. Coniferous trees have needles instead of
broad leaves, and their seeds grow inside protective, woody cones. While deciduous trees of temperate forests lose their leaves in
winter, conifers never lose their needles.
e. Animals
These grasses can support high densities of grazing animals, such as zebra, antelope and bison. And these herds in turn support
iconic predators, including lions and cheetahs.

6. Chaparral
 a. Water
Plants in the chaparral often have root systems designed to get as much water as possible. Shallow roots extend horizontally
under the surface of the soils and are good at catching water when it falls as rain; taproots extend deep into the soil to capture
groundwater.
b. Temperature
he chaparral is characterized as being very hot and dry. The winter is very mild and is usually about 50°F (10°C). Most of the
rain in this biome comes in the winter. The summer is hot and dry at up to 100°F (37.5°C). This makes fires and droughts very common.
c. Soil
The soil in the chaparral is very nutrient poor. This leaves the soil nutrient poor and vulnerable to erosion. Once the soil is
eroded away, either by wind or rain, the ground under the soil is usually bare rock, very thin, or clay.
d. Plants
Some examples of plants in the chaparral are toyon, chamise, poison oak, scrub oak, Yucca and other shrubs, trees and cacti. The
maquis contains plants such as myrtle, hawthorn, and broom. The Australian mallee is more open than these other types of chaparral and
consists mainly of dwarf eucalyptus trees.
e. Animals
The animals are all mainly grassland and desert types adapted to hot, dry weather. A few examples from California are: coyotes,
jack rabbits, mule deer, alligator lizards, horned toads, praying mantis, honey bees and ladybugs. In Europe one might find wild goats,
sheep, cattle, mouflon, horses, lynx, wild boar, rabbits, vultures and eagles.

7. Savanna
a. Water
Water is necessary for all life, and the savanna grasslands are typically dry with little rain over the course of the year. Major
rivers provide much of the water for the people of the savanna, and large population centers typically develop in these areas.
b. Temperature
 The climate is usually warm and temperatures range from 68° to 86°F (20 to 30°C). Savannas exist in areas where there is a 6 -
8-month wet summer season, and a 4 - 6-month dry winter season.
c. Soil
The soil of the savanna is porous, with rapid drainage of water. It has only a thin layer of humus (the organic portion of the soil
created by partial decomposition of plant or animal matter), which provides vegetation with nutrients. Savannas are sometimes
classified as forests.
d. Plants
The savanna is dominated by grasses such as Rhodes grass, red oats grass, star grass, lemon grass, and some shrubs.
e. Animals
Savannas are home to a wide diversity of animals. The largest land mammal can be found there. So can the most deadly snake
(the black mamba). The savanna is most popular to herbivores, which can dine on the diverse grasses found there during the wet season.
There are more than 40 species of hoofed mammals living in the savannas.

8. Tropical Rain Forest

a. Water
In addition to rivers, rainforests have conventional, free-standing lakes and so-called oxbow lakes, formed when a river changes
course. These lakes are home to species adapted to the quiet, stagnant conditions. Tropical waters, whether they be giant rivers, streams,
or oxbow lakes, are almost as rich in animal species as the rainforests that surround them.
b. Temperature
Mean temperatures in tropical rainforest regions are between 20 and 29 °C (68 and 84 °F), and in no month is the mean
temperature below 18 °C (64 °F).
c. Soil
 A majority of the soils in this area are Alfisols and Ultisols. These soils are very old and low in fertility, but since there is a dry
season, more of the nutrients can stay in place. In the tropical rainforest, however, rainfall is year round, and can be daily. This strips out
most of the nutrients.
d. Plants
The tropical rainforest contains more species of plants than any other biome. Orchids, Philodendrons, Ferns, Bromeliads, Kapok
Trees, Banana Trees, Rubber Trees, Bam- boo, Trees, Cassava Trees, Avocado Trees.
e. Animals
The tropical rainforest contains more species of animals than any other biome and insects make up the largest group of animals. Anacondas,
Monkeys, Toucans, Macaws, Herens, Cougars, Pumas, Orangutans, Gorrilas, Sloths, Parrots and Frogs.

Questions:
1. What is Biome?
A biome is a community of plants and animals that have common characteristics for the environment they exist in. They can be
found over a range of continents. Biomes are distinct biological communities that have formed in response to a shared physical climate.
Biome is a broader term than habitat; any biome can comprise a variety of habitats.

2. What two climate factors are most important in determining an area’s characteristic biome?
Precipitation and temperature are the two most important climatic variables that determine the type of biome in a particular
location. Near the poles, temperature is generally the overriding climate factor, whereas in temperate and tropical regions, precipitation
becomes more significant than temperature

3. What climate and soil factors produce each of the major terrestrial biomes?
 Tundra is found in areas where winters are long and summers short. There is little precipitation (10 to 25cm per year) with most
of it falling during the summer months. Most tundra soils are geologically young because they formed when glaciers retreated after the
last Ice Age. In the boreal forest winters are extremely cold and severe, although not as harsh as in the tundra.
Boreal forest receives little precipitation, perhaps 50 cm per year, and its soil is typically acidic and mineral-poor, with a deep
layer of partly decomposed pine and spruce needles at the surface.
In temperate rain forests winters are mild and summers are cool. Annual precipitation in this biome is high, more than 127 cm
per year, and is augmented by condensation of water from dense coastal fogs. Temperate rain forest has relatively nutrient-poor soil,
although its organic content may be high.
Temperate deciduous forest, which occurs in temperate areas where precipitation ranges from about 75 to 150 cm annually.
Typically, the soil of a temperate deciduous forest consists of a topsoil rich in organic material and a deep, clay-rich lower layer.
Grasslands have hot summers and cold winters with annual precipitation averages 25 to 75 cm. Grassland soil has considerable
organic material because the aerial portions of many grasses die off each winter and contribute to the organic content of the soil,
whereas the roots and rhizomes (underground stems) survive.
Chaparral biomes have mild winters with abundant rain and dry summers. Chaparral soil is thin and often not fertile.
Deserts are dry areas found in doth temperate and subtropical regions. The low water vapor content of the desert atmosphere
results in daily temperature extremes of heat and cold, and a major change in temperature occurs in a single 24-hour period. Generally,
less than 25 cm of rain fall per year. As a result of sparse vegetation, desert soil is low in organic material but is often high in mineral
content.
In savanna biomes temperature varies little throughout the year seasons are regulated by precipitation, not by temperature as they
are in temperate grasslands. Annual precipitation is 76 to 150 cm. Savanna soil is somewhat low in essential nutrient minerals.
Tropical rain forests climate is warm and moist, the annual precipitation of a tropical rain forest is typically from 200 to 450 cm.
Tropical rain forest commonly occurs in areas with ancient, highly weathered, mineral-poor soil.