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Ecosystems
Natural Science 2. Secondary Education
CHARACTERISTICS OF THE MAIN BIOMES
Natural Science 2. Secondary Education
Characteristics of the main biomes
COLD ZONE BIOMES
Polar desert and tundra Taiga
TEMPERATEZONEBIOMES
Deciduous forest Mediterranean forest Steppe
WARM ZONEBIOMES
Desert Savannah Tropical forest
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The polar desert and the tundra
• Polar deserts are located in the polar circles.
• Tundra is found at lower latitudes than the polar desert (at latitudes greater than 70º).
Location
Tundra Icecaps
Natural Science 2. Secondary Education
Characteristics of the main biomes
• The polar climate is characterised by intense cold (winter temperatures of -50 ºC) and very little precipitation, which comes in the form of snow.
Climate
Natural Science 2. Secondary Education
Characteristics of the main biomes
The polar desert and the tundra
• There is no vegetation in the polar desert. Vegetation in the tundra is composed only of mosses, lichens and some shrubs.
• These areas are home to animals that are adapted to the cold, like bears, arctic foxes, penguins, seals, arctic hares, etc.
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BearPolar bears
Arctic fox
Seals
Rock ptarmigan
Flora and fauna
Natural Science 2. Secondary Education
Characteristics of the main biomes
The polar desert and the tundra
The taiga
• Located below the tundra, the taiga extends to latitudes of 60º.
Boreal coniferous forest (taiga), mixed forest
Natural Science 2. Secondary Education
Characteristics of the main biomes
Location
• The taiga climate (a cold continental climate) is characterised by very long, cold winters and short, mild summers. There is little rainfall. In the winter, precipitation comes in the form of snow.
Natural Science 2. Secondary Education
Characteristics of the main biomes
The taiga
Climate
• The taiga is dominated by coniferous trees, which are well adapted to the cold, and bushes, like heather and berry bushes.
• The fauna is similar to that of the tundra: it consists of reindeer, bison, wolves, grouses, beavers, otters, etc.
Wood grouse
BeaverOtter
ElksBear
Wolf
Natural Science 2. Secondary Education
Characteristics of the main biomes
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The taiga
Flora and fauna
The deciduous forest
• Deciduous forests are located at the middle latitudes in areas with oceanic climates.
Humid deciduous forests of the temperate zone and prairies
Natural Science 2. Secondary Education
Characteristics of the main biomes
Location
• An oceanic climate features cold winters and mild summers, with plenty of evenly dispersed precipitation throughout the year.
Natural Science 2. Secondary Education
Characteristics of the main biomes
The deciduous forest
Climate
• These ecosystems are home to deciduous trees like oak, chestnut, walnut, etc., which lose their leaves in the winter. This means that the forests change in appearance over the seasons.
• Typical fauna includes fallow deer, squirrels, brown bears, wolves, foxes and owls.
Deer
Brown bear
Wild boar
Natural Science 2. Secondary Education
Characteristics of the main biomes
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The deciduous forest
Flora and fauna
The Mediterranean forest
• Mediterranean forests are found at latitudes of between 35º and 45º and are located near the Mediterranean Sea, in California and in some regions of Chile, South Africa and Australia.
Mediterranean forests and scrubland
Natural Science 2. Secondary Education
Characteristics of the main biomes
Location
• A Mediterranean climate is characterised by mild winters and hot summers. Rainfall is scarce and irregular, with most precipitation in the spring and the autumn. There is often an intense period of drought in the summer.
Natural Science 2. Secondary Education
Characteristics of the main biomesThe Mediterranean forest
Climate
• Typical vegetation consists of evergreen trees, including holm oaks and cork oaks.
• Typical fauna includes deer, rabbits, lynx, wolves, martens, wild boars, imperial eagles, vultures, kites and wood mice.
Lynx
Golden eagle
Deer
Rabbit
VultureMarten
Natural Science 2. Secondary Education
Characteristics of the main biomes
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The Mediterranean forest
Flora and fauna
• The steppe is located at the same latitudes as the deciduous forest, but has a continental climate.
The steppe
Steppe and dry scrubland
Natural Science 2. Secondary Education
Characteristics of the main biomes
Location
• A continental climate is characterised by cold winters and hot summers, with intermittent rainfall occurring in a single season.
Natural Science 2. Secondary Education
Characteristics of the main biomes
The steppe
Climate
• Typical vegetation consists of herbaceous plants, like cereals, and scattered trees.
• The steppe is home to bison, gazelles, horses, squirrels, prairie dogs, coyotes, etc. Prairie dog
Horses
Natural Science 2. Secondary Education
Characteristics of the main biomes
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The steppeFlora and fauna
• Deserts are located at latitudes close to the tropics, around 30º in both hemispheres.
The desert
Desert and semi-desert vegetation
Natural Science 2. Secondary Education
Characteristics of the main biomes
Location
• A desert climate is characterised by great variations in daytime and nighttime temperatures (they can vary by up to 40 ºC) and by little rainfall.
Natural Science 2. Secondary Education
Characteristics of the main biomes
The desert
Climate
• There is little vegetation, and the plants that do inhabit these areas have adaptations to avoid losing water (like cacti).
• Desert fauna has also adapted to survive the heat: one example is how some animals remain hidden during the daylight hours. Desert fauna includes snakes, coyotes, scorpions and lizards.
Snake
Coyote
Scorpion
Lizard
Natural Science 2. Secondary Education
Characteristics of the main biomes
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The desertFlora and fauna
• Savannahs are located between the tropics, around the Earth’s tropical forest regions.
The savannah
Savannahs and dry scrubland
Natural Science 2. Secondary Education
Characteristics of the main biomes
Location
The savannah
• Temperatures in the savannah remain steady throughout the year (they do not fall below 18 ºC) and precipitation is irregular, with periods of drought interspersed with heavy rain.
Natural Science 2. Secondary Education
Characteristics of the main biomes
Climate
The savannah
•The flora of the savannah includes tall herbaceous plants with scattered deciduous trees like acacias and baobabs.
• The savannah is home to rhinoceros, giraffes, antelope, gazelles, zebras, lions, hyenas and vultures.
Hyena
Rhinoceros
Zebra
Antelope
Lion
Leopard
Natural Science 2. Secondary Education
Characteristics of the main biomes
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Flora and fauna
• Tropical forests are located in a narrow strip around the Equator, stretching to 10º north and south of this imaginary line.
The tropical forest
Tropical forests and rainforests
Natural Science 2. Secondary Education
Characteristics of the main biomes
Location
• In a tropical climate, temperatures do not vary (average temperatures range between 24 and 27 ºC). The climate is characterised by high, regular rainfall all year round.
Natural Science 2. Secondary Education
Characteristics of the main biomes
The tropical forest
Climate
• Tropical forests are home to evergreen trees that form very dense forests.
• Fauna is varied and consists of animals like butterflies, alligators, boas, jaguars, marmosets, parrots, toucans and an enormous variety of insects.
Toucan
Boa
Jaguar
Parrot
Natural Science 2. Secondary Education
Characteristics of the main biomes
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The tropical forestFlora and fauna