1. BIOMES
• Biome – physical environment that has
characteristic plants & animals.
• Example: Lizards + Cactus = Desert.

2. Major Biomes
• Tropical Rain Forest • Temperate Forest
• Tropical Dry Forest • Northwestern
• Tropical Savanna Coniferous Forest
• Desert • Boreal Forest
• Temperate Grassland • Tundra
• Temperate Woodland
& Shrupland
Each biome is defined by a unique set of abiotic
features, particularly climate, and has a characteristic
ecological community.

3. Tropical Savanna
• Abiotic
– Warm temperatures
– Seasonal rainfall
– Compact soil
– Frequent fires due to lightening

4. Tropical Savanna, cont.
• Plants
– Tall, perennial grasses
– Drought tolerant and fire resistant trees &
shrubs

5. Tropical Savanna, cont.
• Animals
– Predators: lions, leopards, cheetahs, hyenas,
jackals, aardvarks
– Herbivores: elephants, giraffes, antelope,
zebras, baboons
– Birds: eagles, ostriches, storks
– Reptiles: none
– Insects: termites

6. Tropical Savanna, cont.
• Location
– East Africa
– Southern Brazil
– Northern Australia

7. Desert
• Abiotic
– Low precipitation
– Variable temperatures
– Soils rich in minerals but poor in organic
material

8. Desert, cont.
• Plants
– Cacti
– Succulents
– Creosote bush
– Plants with short growth cycles

9. Desert, cont.
• Animals
– Predators: mountain lions, gray foxes,
bobcats
– Herbivores: mule deer, pronghorn antelope,
bighorn sheep, kangaroo rats, bats
– Birds: owls, hawks, roadrunners
– Reptiles: tortoises, rattlesnakes, lizards
– Insects: ants, beetles, butterflies, flies, wasps

10. Deserts, cont
• Location
– Africa
– Asia
– Middle east
– South America
– Australia

11. Temperate Grassland
• Abiotic
– Warm to hot summers
– Cold winters
– Moderate seasonal precipitation
– Fertile soil
– Occasional fires

12. Temperate Grassland, cont.
• Plants
– Lush perennial grasses and herbs

13. Temperate Grassland, cont.
• Animals
– Predators: coyotes, badgers
– Herbivores: mule deer, pronghorn antelope,
rabbits, prairie dogs; formerly had bison
– Birds: owls, hawks, bobwhite, prairie chickens
– Reptiles: snakes
– Insects: grasshoppers, ants

14. Temperate Grassland, cont.
• Location
– South Asia
– North America
– Australia
– Central Europe
– South America

15. Tropical Rain Forest
• Abiotic
– Hot and wet year round
– Thin, nutrient-poor soil

16. Tropical Rain Forest, cont.
• Plants
– Broad-leaf evergreen
– Ferns
– Large woody vines
– Orchids
– Bromeliads

17. Tropical Rain Forest, cont.
• Animals
– Predators: jaguars, anteaters, monkeys
– Herbivores: sloth, tapirs
– Birds: toucans, parrots, parakeets
– Reptiles: Caymans, boa constrictors,
anaconda
– Insects: butterflies, ants, beetles
– Fish: piranhas

18. Tropical Rain Forest, cont.
• Location
– South and Central America
– Southeast Asia
– Parts of Africa
– Southern India
– Northeast Australia

19. Savanna
• Abiotic
– Generally warm year round
– Alternating wet-dry seasons
– Rich soils, easily eroded

20. Savanna, cont.
• Plants
– Tall, deciduous trees
– Orchids
– Bromeliads
– Aloes
– Succulents

21. Savanna, cont.
• Animals
– Predators: tigers, monkeys
– Herbivores: elephants, Indian rhinocerous,
hog deer
– Birds: pelican, great pied hornbill, pied harrier
– Reptiles: snakes, lizards
– Insects: termites

22. Savanna, cont.
• Location
– Parts of Africa
– Southern & Central America
– Mexico
– India
– Australia
– Tropical Islands

23. Temperate Forest
• Abiotic
– Cold to moderate winters
– Warm summers
– Year round precipitation
– Fertile soils

24. Temperate Forest, cont.
• Plants
– Broadleaf deciduous trees
– Conifers
– Flowering shrubs
– Herbs
– Ground layer of mosses and ferns

25. Temperate Forest, cont.
• Animals
– Predators: black bear, bobcats
– Herbivores: deer, squirrels, raccoons, skunks
– Birds: songbirds, turkeys
– Reptiles:
– Insects: beetles

26. Temperate Forest, cont.
• Location
– Eastern United States
– Southeast Canada
– Europe
– Japan
– China
– Australia

27. Tundra
• Abiotic
– Strong winds
– Low precipitation
– Short summers
– Cold, dark winters
– Poorly developed soils
– Permafrost

28. Tundra, cont.
• Plants
– Mosses
– Lichens
– Low-lying grasses

29. Tundra, cont.
• Animals
– Migratory waterfowl
– Shore birds
– Musk ox
– Arctic foxes
– Caribou
– Small rodents

30. Tundra, cont.
• Location
– North America
– Asia
– Europe