Biomes Study Guide Review

1. Tundra

• Temperature – Cool• Rainfall - Light

• Common Plants • Mosses• Grasses• Lichen

Tundra cont.• Common Animals• Reindeer• Arctic foxes• Caribou• Snowshoe hares

• Important Characteristics• Largest and most northern biome• Characterized by a thin layer of

topsoil called permafrost• 2 types – polar tundra and arctic

tundra

2. Coniferous Forest

• Temperature – Cool• Rainfall - Average

• Common Plants • Fir• Spruce• Hemlock

Coniferous Forest cont.• Common Animals• Deer• Moose• Lynx

• Important Characteristics• Long winters/ short summers• Great amount of snowfall• Conifer trees produce seeds in

cones• Few large plants can grow beneath

conifer trees

3. Temperate Deciduous Forest

• Temperature – Average• Rainfall - Average

• Common Plants • Oak trees• Hickory trees• Maple trees

Temperate Deciduous cont.

• Common Animals• Bears• Deer• Birds (ex: woodpecker)

• Important Characteristics• Located in the temperate latitudes• Characterized by definite seasons• Leaves change colors• Trees lose their leaves in the fall

4. Desert

• Temperature – Hot• Rainfall - Light

• Common Plants • Cactus• Low bushes

Desert cont.

• Common Animals• Lizards• Snakes • Owls

• Important Characteristics• Located near the equator• Nights and winters can become

cold• Most desert animals are nocturnal

5. Savanna (Grasslands)

• Temperature – Hot• Rainfall - Average

• Common Plants • Grasses• Flowering plants• Low trees

Grasslands cont.

• Common Animals• Zebras• Giraffes• Gazelles• Lions• leopards

• Important Characteristics• Located in the middle latitudes• Grasses’ deep roots can survive

many months without water

6. Tropical Rain Forest

• Temperature – Hot• Rainfall - Heavy

• Common Plants • Evergreen trees• Vines• Ferns

Tropical Rainforest cont.

• Common Animals• Monkeys• Jaguars• Insects

• Important Characteristics• Located near the equator• Highest biodiversity of all biomes• Important for medicines• Most animals live in the canopy• Most of the nutrients are found in the

plants, not the soil

Flip over your study guide and draw a Venn Diagram to compare and contrast the three aquatic biomes

o Fresh Watero Salt Water/ Marineo Wetland/ Estuary/ Marsh