2 cn main_biomes_sc

Ecosystems

Natural Science 2. Secondary Education

CHARACTERISTICS OF THE MAIN BIOMES


Characteristics of the main biomes

COLD ZONE BIOMES

Polar desert and tundra Taiga

TEMPERATEZONEBIOMES

Deciduous forest Mediterranean forest Steppe

WARM ZONEBIOMES

Desert Savannah Tropical forest

Click on each picture to find out more

The polar desert and the tundra

• Polar deserts are located in the polar circles.

• Tundra is found at lower latitudes than the polar desert (at latitudes greater than 70º).

Location

Tundra Icecaps



• The polar climate is characterised by intense cold (winter temperatures of -50 ºC) and very little precipitation, which comes in the form of snow.

Climate




• There is no vegetation in the polar desert. Vegetation in the tundra is composed only of mosses, lichens and some shrubs.

• These areas are home to animals that are adapted to the cold, like bears, arctic foxes, penguins, seals, arctic hares, etc.

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BearPolar bears

Arctic fox

Seals

Rock ptarmigan

Flora and fauna




The taiga

• Located below the tundra, the taiga extends to latitudes of 60º.

Boreal coniferous forest (taiga), mixed forest



Location

• The taiga climate (a cold continental climate) is characterised by very long, cold winters and short, mild summers. There is little rainfall. In the winter, precipitation comes in the form of snow.



The taiga

Climate

• The taiga is dominated by coniferous trees, which are well adapted to the cold, and bushes, like heather and berry bushes.

• The fauna is similar to that of the tundra: it consists of reindeer, bison, wolves, grouses, beavers, otters, etc.

Wood grouse

BeaverOtter

ElksBear

Wolf




The taiga

Flora and fauna

The deciduous forest

• Deciduous forests are located at the middle latitudes in areas with oceanic climates.

Humid deciduous forests of the temperate zone and prairies



Location

• An oceanic climate features cold winters and mild summers, with plenty of evenly dispersed precipitation throughout the year.




Climate

• These ecosystems are home to deciduous trees like oak, chestnut, walnut, etc., which lose their leaves in the winter. This means that the forests change in appearance over the seasons.

• Typical fauna includes fallow deer, squirrels, brown bears, wolves, foxes and owls.

Deer

Brown bear

Wild boar





Flora and fauna

The Mediterranean forest

• Mediterranean forests are found at latitudes of between 35º and 45º and are located near the Mediterranean Sea, in California and in some regions of Chile, South Africa and Australia.

Mediterranean forests and scrubland



Location

• A Mediterranean climate is characterised by mild winters and hot summers. Rainfall is scarce and irregular, with most precipitation in the spring and the autumn. There is often an intense period of drought in the summer.


Characteristics of the main biomesThe Mediterranean forest

Climate

• Typical vegetation consists of evergreen trees, including holm oaks and cork oaks.

• Typical fauna includes deer, rabbits, lynx, wolves, martens, wild boars, imperial eagles, vultures, kites and wood mice.

Lynx

Golden eagle

Deer

Rabbit

VultureMarten




The Mediterranean forest

Flora and fauna

• The steppe is located at the same latitudes as the deciduous forest, but has a continental climate.

The steppe

Steppe and dry scrubland



Location

• A continental climate is characterised by cold winters and hot summers, with intermittent rainfall occurring in a single season.



The steppe

Climate

• Typical vegetation consists of herbaceous plants, like cereals, and scattered trees.

• The steppe is home to bison, gazelles, horses, squirrels, prairie dogs, coyotes, etc. Prairie dog

Horses




The steppeFlora and fauna

• Deserts are located at latitudes close to the tropics, around 30º in both hemispheres.

The desert

Desert and semi-desert vegetation



Location

• A desert climate is characterised by great variations in daytime and nighttime temperatures (they can vary by up to 40 ºC) and by little rainfall.



The desert

Climate

• There is little vegetation, and the plants that do inhabit these areas have adaptations to avoid losing water (like cacti).

• Desert fauna has also adapted to survive the heat: one example is how some animals remain hidden during the daylight hours. Desert fauna includes snakes, coyotes, scorpions and lizards.

Snake

Coyote

Scorpion

Lizard




The desertFlora and fauna

• Savannahs are located between the tropics, around the Earth’s tropical forest regions.

The savannah

Savannahs and dry scrubland



Location

The savannah

• Temperatures in the savannah remain steady throughout the year (they do not fall below 18 ºC) and precipitation is irregular, with periods of drought interspersed with heavy rain.



Climate

The savannah

•The flora of the savannah includes tall herbaceous plants with scattered deciduous trees like acacias and baobabs.

• The savannah is home to rhinoceros, giraffes, antelope, gazelles, zebras, lions, hyenas and vultures.

Hyena

Rhinoceros

Zebra

Antelope

Lion

Leopard




Flora and fauna

• Tropical forests are located in a narrow strip around the Equator, stretching to 10º north and south of this imaginary line.

The tropical forest

Tropical forests and rainforests



Location

• In a tropical climate, temperatures do not vary (average temperatures range between 24 and 27 ºC). The climate is characterised by high, regular rainfall all year round.



The tropical forest

Climate

• Tropical forests are home to evergreen trees that form very dense forests.

• Fauna is varied and consists of animals like butterflies, alligators, boas, jaguars, marmosets, parrots, toucans and an enormous variety of insects.

Toucan

Boa

Jaguar

Parrot




The tropical forestFlora and fauna

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