Biomes of UtahBiomes of UtahDesert, Forest, and Wetlands

What is a biome?What is a biome? Biomes are climatically

and geographically defined as similar climatic conditions on the Earth, such as communities of plants, animals, and soil organisms.

The DesertThe DesertAnnual rainfall?

Less than 5 inches!If Utah were left in its natural stare it would be a desert.

Two Types of deserts found in UtahTwo Types of deserts found in Utah

Hot desert Cold desert

Desert AnimalsDesert Animals Desert Tortoise Snakes Lizards Golden Eagle Turkey Vulture

Desert TortoiseDesert Tortoise The length of this tortoise's

shell is about 10 inches. Full-grown adults will reach 15 inches.

The hard shell is a protection against predators and a harsh environment..

The color and patterns allow the tortoise to blend in with the shrubs and soil.

SnakesSnakes

Snakes are important predators in desert ecosystems. Life on the desert is harsh, and predators help to maintain the critical balance.

LizardsLizards Lizards are superbly adapted

desert dwellers. Control insects. Serve as food for other

desert predators. Two adaptations.

They are very well camouflaged. They can lose their tail to escape when captured and grow a new one for future escapes.

Golden EagleGolden Eagle A Golden Eagle eating a

hare. The eagle will typically

cover a large territory in search of an occasional lizard or desert wood rat.

Beaks are adapted for killing small animals.

Turkey VultureTurkey Vulture Scavengers such as the

Turkey Vulture, fill a very significant role in the desert ecosystem.

Plants of the desertPlants of the desert Cactuses would most

likely be found in a desert area of Utah.

We also find sagebrush and juniper.

Forest BiomesForest Biomes Found wherever a high

number of trees and other plants grow together.

Deciduous ForestDeciduous Forest Mild temperatures and plenty

of rainfall. Deciduous trees have large,

flat leaves in order to photosynthesize as much as possible before harsh winters.

Seeds produced by deciduous plans attract animals like squirrels that store or eat them.

Deciduous TreesDeciduous Trees Loses its leaves in the

autumn.

Coniferous Forest biomesConiferous Forest biomes Occur at higher elevations

than deciduous forests. The summer season is very

brief and conifers grow quickly to take advantage of sunshine.

Instead of broad, flat leaves, conifers have adapted needle like leaves.

Examples Of Coniferous TreesExamples Of Coniferous Trees Pine and Spruce Produces cones

Forest AnimalsForest AnimalsRaccoonGarter SnakeEagleTurkeyRobinBears

RaccoonRaccoon This masked bandit can

become very friendly when a full garbage can is available. Although very cute, this mammal can bite very hard!

Garter SnakeGarter Snake These common reptiles

can be found in your own backyard.

TurkeyTurkey

A turkey in the wild can be a feast for a larger predator.

RobinRobin Robins can be seen in

many backyards.

BearsBears Black bears live in Utah. They survive the cold,

mountain winters by hibernating.

Wetland BiomesWetland Biomes Characterized by the

presence of standing water or heavily water soaked soil.

Bodies of water such as ponds, rivers, marshes along with their surrounding areas are examples of wetlands.

Famous wetland located near usFamous wetland located near us The Great Salt Lake Bear River Refuge

Types of Wetland environments found in UtahTypes of Wetland environments found in Utah

Lake River Stream Marsh

Wetland Animals Found in UtahWetland Animals Found in Utah Beaver Ducks fish

Examples of Wetland PlantsExamples of Wetland Plants Cattail Willow algae

EnvironmentEnvironment Everything, both living

and nonliving that surrounds and affects an animal.