Earth's Biomes

Where is it found?

• Arctic regions, northern North America, Europe, and Siberia
• High mountains above treeline

Climate

• Temperature: Coldest biome; average -18°C (-40°F), summers can reach 18°C (64°F)
• Precipitation: Low, 150-250mm (6-10 inches) per year, similar to a desert

Plants & Animals

• Plants: Mosses, lichens, small shrubs, grasses; few trees due to permafrost
• Animals: Polar bears, Arctic foxes, reindeer, migrating birds, mice and small mammals

Cool Facts

• Permafrost (permanently frozen soil below surface)
• Short growing season (about 60 days)

Where is it found?

• Below Arctic regions across North America, Europe, and Asia
• Largest land biome

Climate

• Temperature: Cold winters, mild summers; seasonal changes
• Precipitation: 200-750mm annually, mainly as summer rain and winter snow

Plants & Animals

• Plants: Coniferous evergreen trees (pine, spruce, fir), moss, some deciduous trees
• Animals: Bears, lynx, wolves, moose, squirrels, birds

Cool Facts

• Many animals hibernate or migrate during winter
• Trees adapted to cold and snow

Where is it found?

• Eastern North America, Western Europe, Eastern Asia, parts of Australia

Climate

• Temperature: Average 10°C (50°F), four distinct seasons
• Precipitation: 750-1,500mm annually, spread evenly throughout year

Plants & Animals

• Plants: Deciduous trees that lose leaves in winter (maple, oak, beech), wildflowers, ferns
• Animals: Deer, bears, bobcats, squirrels, birds, insects

Cool Facts

• Colorful autumn leaves
• Leaf loss in winter as adaptation to cold

Where is it found?

• Between Tropic of Cancer and Tropic of Capricorn
• Parts of South America, Africa, Southeast Asia

Climate

• Temperature: Hot, 20-25°C (68-77°F) year-round
• Precipitation: Highest rainfall of all biomes, 2,000-10,000mm annually

Plants & Animals

• Plants: Three layers: canopy (tall trees), understory (smaller trees, vines), floor
• Animals: Monkeys, sloths, jaguars, parrots, toucans, frogs, snakes, countless insects

Cool Facts

• Highest biodiversity on Earth
• Home to half of Earth's plant and animal species

Where is it found?

• Africa (largest areas), Australia, South America, India

Climate

• Temperature: Warm year-round
• Precipitation: Seasonal rainfall, wet and dry seasons

Plants & Animals

• Plants: Grasses with scattered trees (like acacia); trees have deep roots
• Animals: Large herds of grazing animals (zebras, giraffes, antelopes), predators (lions, cheetahs)

Cool Facts

• Fire resistant grasses
• Many animals migrate with seasonal changes

Where is it found?

• North America (Great Plains), Eurasia (steppes), South America (pampas), South Africa (veldt)

Climate

• Temperature: Hot summers (up to 38°C/100°F), cold winters
• Precipitation: 20-35 inches annually, some as snow

Plants & Animals

• Plants: Mainly grasses, few trees except near rivers, wildflowers
• Animals: Bison, antelope, deer, rodents, birds, coyotes, insects

Cool Facts

• Rich, dark soil
• Grasses have deep roots; adapted to fires and grazing

Where is it found?

• Africa (Sahara), Asia (Gobi), North America (Mojave), Australia

Climate

• Temperature: Hot deserts: extreme heat during day, cold at night; Cold deserts: cool year-round
• Precipitation: Less than 300mm annually, driest biome

Plants & Animals

• Plants: Cacti, succulents, small shrubs with adaptations to store water
• Animals: Camels, reptiles, small rodents, insects, all with water conservation adaptations

Cool Facts

• Extreme temperature changes from day to night
• Plants and animals with special adaptations to conserve water

Where is it found?

• Covers 75% of Earth's surface
• Freshwater (ponds, lakes, rivers) and marine (oceans, seas)

Climate

• Temperature: Varies by location and depth
• Precipitation: Not applicable

Plants & Animals

• Plants: Freshwater: lily pads, algae, cattails; Marine: seaweed, kelp, algae
• Animals: Freshwater: fish, amphibians, insects; Marine: fish, sharks, whales, dolphins

Cool Facts

• Freshwater: less than 1% salt
• Marine: high salt concentration