World´s Biomes

1. World´s Biomes

2. Adaptations

3. Tundra Location: upper northern hemisphere  60°-70° Climate: less than 25cm of precipitation annually, summer 3°C to 12°C, winter -20°C to -30°C Physical features: permafrost Plant adaptations: plants grow close to the ground. Shrubs, short grasses lichens and mosses Animal adaptations: animals have compact bodies. Grow slowly and reproduce less--- less energy needed Photograph by Rich Reid, National Geographic

4. Boreal Forest Location: northern hemisphere  45°-65° Climate: 30 cm to 85 cm precipitation annually (mostly snow) Physical features: terrain is rough, marshes, shallow lakes , soil is wet Plant adaptations: mainly coniferous trees (have cones), evergreen trees, waxy leaves Animal adaptations: small mammals burrow in winter, insulating coats, reptiles and amphibians are rare

5. Temperate Deciduous Forest Location: 23.5° north latitude, 23.5° and 38° south latitude Climate: 75 cm to 180cm or rainfall, -30°C to 30°C Physical features: large seasonal changes, 4 distinct seasons, enriched soil Plant adaptations: plants go in 4-5 layers, deciduous tress shed leaves, thick bark Animal adaptations: some mammals hibernate, many birds migrate south

6. Temperate Rainforest Location: 38°-61° north latitude, 38° - 56° south latitude Climate: rainfall exceeds 200cm a year, 5°C to 25°C, coastal fog Physical features: narrow strips along coastlines backed by mountains, ocean winds bring lots of moisture Plant adaptations: very tall trees, mosses and lichens on trees National Geographic Animal adaptations: most animals live near forest floor for protection

7. Grassland (Temperate and Tropical) Location: temperate: above 23.5° north latitude, below 23.5° south latitude; tropical:5°to 20 ° N and S of the equator Climate: temperate less rain than tropical; temperate winters are cold Physical features: land is mainly flat, soil rich and fertile Photograph by Phil Schermeister, National Geographic Plant adaptations: limited rainfall so few trees, roots are deep and plants regrow after fire, flexible stalks Animal adaptations: large grazing mammals , flat teeth

8. Tropical Rainforest Location: 4800km wide around the equator Climate: rainfall approx. 250cm per year, 20°C to 25°C all year Physical features: poor soil, dark forest floor Plant adaptations: largest number of different species, plants grow in may layers, leaves have narrow tips Animal adaptations: greatest diversity of animals on earth, most animals live in trees Photograph by Timothy G. Laman, National Geographic

9. Desert (Hot and Cold) Location: hot deserts on every continent, cold deserts in dry regions in the interior of continents Climate: rainfall less than 25cm annually; hot deserts: hot days, cold nights; cold deserts: warm summer days, cold winter days Physical features: soils are often salty Plant adaptations: roots extend metres away from the plant to absorb water, thick waxy leaves Animal adaptations: hot deserts: reptiles thick skin and scales; cold deserts: animals burrow

10. Permanent Ice (Polar Ice) Location: polar land masses and polar caps of the Arctic, Greenland, and Antarctica Climate: annual precipitation (snow) less than 50cm; -30 to 14°C Physical features: very strong winds, little soil Plant adaptations: lichens (fungi and algae) tolerate drought and cold, some mosses, brief growing season in Arctic Animal adaptations: thick coats and fat layers for warmth