Biomes English 661697196480753

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Biomes
Introduction
An ecosystem is the functional unit of nature, where living organisms interact among
themselves and also with the surrounding physical environment. Ecosystem varies greatly in
size from a small pond to a large forest or a sea. The ecosystem is very big and complex.
Hence, for the ease of studying, it is divided into two basic categories, namely the terrestrial
and the aquatic. Forest, grassland and desert are some examples of terrestrial ecosystems;
pond, lake, wetland, river and estuary are some examples of aquatic ecosystems.
BIOMES
• The terrestrial part of the biosphere is divided into regions called biomes, which are
characterized, by climate, vegetation, animal life and general soil type.
• No two biomes are alike.
• The climate plays an important role in determining the boundaries of a biome and
the abundance of plants and animals found in each one of them.
• The most important climatic factors are temperature and precipitation.
Terrestrial Ecosystem
Terrestrial ecosystems exist on land. Six primary terrestrial ecosystems are: tundra, taiga,
temperate deciduous forest, tropical rain forest, grassland and desert.
Tundra
• It is the coldest biome.
• Tundra Biomes are found in the arctic region and on top of mountains where the
climate is cold and windy and the rainfall is scanty.
• The tundra regions are covered with snow for most part of the year.
Arctic Tundra Biome

• The arctic tundra is located in the northern hemisphere.
• On the north of this Biome lies the North Pole and the coniferous forest of the taiga
are present on its southern side.
• The arctic has cold, desert like conditions.
• The growing season in tundra region is approximately 50 to 60 days.
• The average winter temperature is about -34°C, the average summer temperature is
about 3 to 12°C.
• Rainfall varies in different regions of the arctic.
• There is about 15 cm to 25 cm of yearly precipitation which includes melting snow.
• Soil formation process in the region is slow.
• A layer of permanently frozen permafrost exists. Permafrost mostly consists of
gravel and finer material.
• Saturation of upper surface may lead to formation of bogs and ponds.
• In this region there is no deep root system vegetation.

• There exist a wide variety of plants that can resist the cold climate.
Alpine Tundra Biome

• The Alpine tundra is located in the mountain regions all across the world.
• They are located at high altitudes where trees cannot grow.
• The growing season in these regions is about 180 days.
• The temperature during the night is below freezing point.
• The soil in the alpine is well drained.
• The vegetation in the alpine tundra is similar to the arctic tundra.
• The vegetation includes plants like tussock grasses, small-leafed shrubs, dwarf trees
and heaths.
• The fauna of the alpine tundra are well adapted to its climate.
Taiga
• Taiga is the largest biome.

• Largely located over Russia and Canada. Also found in the northern parts of North
America, Europe and Asia.
• The boreal forest occurs between 50 and 60 degrees in the northern hemisphere.
• The climate of the taiga is very cold.
• The taiga has a subarctic climate and the temperature varies between seasons.
• A dominant feature of the taiga is the long and cold winters.
• The summers are short, warm and humid.
• The summers have extremely long day length.
• The summers are short, temperature is about 10°C and it lasts around for 1-3
months.
• The winter temperatures are below freezing point and winter lasts for five to seven
months.
• Yearly temperature varies between -54°C to 30°C.
• Precipitation in this region varies from 20cm to over 200 cm. Precipitation is mostly
in the form of snow.
Grassland
• Grasslands are dominated by grasses instead of trees.

• Tall plants are very few.
• The lack of trees is primarily due to soil type and precipitation.
• Grassland biomes are usually situated between a forest and a desert.
• Nearly a quarter of the Earth is covered by the grassland biome.
• Grassland Biome exists on every continent except Antarctica.
• Tropical grasslands experience warm weather all year long while temperate
grasslands have hot summers and cold winters.
• Grasslands have fertile soil.
• Periodic fires are very important for the grassland to ensure that invasive plants do
not take over.
Savanna Grassland
• Savanna is grassland with scattered individual trees.
• Savannas are predominant type in Africa.
• Savannas are found in warm or hot climates where the annual rainfall is from about
50 – 130 cm per year.
• It is important that the rainfall is concentrated in six or eight months of the year,
followed by a long period of drought when fires can occur.
• If the rain were well distributed throughout the year, many of these areas would
become tropical forest.
Temperate Grassland
• Temperate grasslands have grasses as the dominant vegetation.

• Trees and large shrubs are absent.
• Temperatures vary widely from summer to winter.
• The amount of rainfall is less in temperate grasslands than in savannas.
• Some examples are the velds of South Africa, the pampas of Argentina and Uruguay,
the steppes of the former Soviet Union, and the plains and prairies of central North
America.
• Temperate grasslands have hot summers and cold winters.

• Rainfall is moderate.
• The amount of annual rainfall influences the height of grassland vegetation, with
taller grasses in wetter regions.
Tropical Rainforest Biome

The Tropical Rainforest can be found in three major geographical areas around the world:
• Central America in the Amazon River basin.
• Africa - Zaire basin, with a small area in West Africa; also eastern Madagascar.
• Indo-Malaysia - west coast of India, Assam, Southeast Asia, New Guinea and
Queensland, Australia
Characteristics
• Rainforests have the highest biodiversity among all terrestrial ecosystems.

• Rainforests are found on all continents except Antarctica.
• Rainforests help to regulate the temperatures and weather patterns.
• High amount of rain, spread across the year.
• The climate is hot and humid.
• The Amazon Rainforest in South America is the largest tropical rainforest in the
world.
• Tropical rainforest biomes are generally located near the equator
Desert Biome
Desserts are dry or arid areas that receive less than 250 mm of rain each year. Deserts can
be hot or cold. They contain plants and animals that are specially adapted to these
extremely dry conditions.
Deciduous Forest Biome
• Majority of trees shed their leaves in a particular season.

• A deciduous forest supports diverse ecological types.
• Plants usually grow in the warm temperate climate with abundant moisture and
produces new leaves and flowers in spring.
Tropical Deciduous Forest
• It has warm summer and moderately cold winter.

• Precipitation ranges from 75 cm to 150 cm.
• Moderate temperature.
• Soil is rich in minerals and organic matter.
Temperate Deciduous Forest
• Temperate deciduous forests can be found in the eastern part of the United States
and Canada, most of Europe and parts of China and Japan.
• Precipitation ranges from 75 to 150 cm per year. It is spread across the year.
• Deciduous forests have a long, warm growing season as one of four distinct seasons.
• Moisture content is high, soil is usually fertile.
• Trees shed their leaves during a particular season.

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Arctic Tundra Biome

• In this region there is no deep root system vegetation.

Alpine Tundra Biome

• Taiga is the largest biome.

• Grasslands are dominated by grasses instead of trees.

• Temperate grasslands have grasses as the dominant vegetation.

• Temperate grasslands have hot summers and cold winters.

Tropical Rainforest Biome

• Rainforests have the highest biodiversity among all terrestrial ecosystems.

Deciduous Forest Biome

• Majority of trees shed their leaves in a particular season.

Tropical Deciduous Forest

• It has warm summer and moderately cold winter.

Temperate Deciduous Forest

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