Physical Characteristics - Biomes
Major Land Biomes

Tundra
 A treeless area between the icecap and the tree line of Arctic regions, having a
permanently frozen subsoil (Permafrost) and supporting low-growing vegetation
such as lichens, mosses, and stunted shrubs.
 Little precipitation

Taiga
 Sub-arctic, evergreen coniferous forests of sub-arctic lands, covering vast areas
of northern North America and Eurasia.
 Located just south of the tundra and Coniferous Forest”
 Dominated by firs and spruces.
 Also called the “Northern Coniferous Forest”


Temperate Deciduous Forest
 Northern and southern hemispheres
 Latitudes below 50 degrees
 Four distinct seasons
 Precipitation from 75 to 150 cm
 Temp range from below freezing to 30° C

Tropical Rain Forest
 a rain forest in a tropical area
 Equatorial
 Lush green plants
 Rainfall 200-225cm per year as much as 400
 Constant temp of about 25° C
 Hot humid – greenhouse like

Grassland
 Temperate and Tropical Regions
 25-75 cm of rain a year
 Most have a dry season
 Extensive root systems called sod
 Make good farming areas

Desert
 A region so arid because of little rainfall that it supports only sparse and widely
spaced vegetation or no vegetation at all
 Less than 25 cm rainfall per year
 Usually covered with sand or gravel