Terrestrial Biomes

Tundra

Location: Alaska, Russia, Canada, Sweden, Finland, Greenland Animals: Caribou, Arctic fox, Snowy owl, Musk Ox, Ermine, Climate Description: short and soggy summers long, cold, and dark winters low precipitation Dominant Plants: ground-hugging plants such as mosses, lichens, sedges, and short grasses Key Factors: poorly developed soils, permafrost, found at high latitudes or high altitudes, short growing season, low productivity Human Impact: Fragile biome affected by climate change and oil and gas pipelines

Subtropical Desert

Location: Arizona, Egypt, Angola, Mexico, Iran, Saudi Arabia Animals: Armadillo, Jackrabbit, Gila monster, Kangaroo rat, Fennec Fox Climate Description: low precipitation, variable temperatures Dominant Plants: Cacti and other succulents; creosote bush and other plants with short growth cycles Key Factors: soils rich in minerals but poor in organic material, low resistance and resilience, low diversity, very low productivity Human Impact: Use of ATV's, military exercises, drilling for oil, mining, nuclear waste disposal

Tropical Rain Forest

Location: Brazil, Congo, Indonesia, Bolivia, Peru, Madagascar Animals: Sloth, Cobra, Chimpanzee, Toucan, Beetles Climate Description: hot and wet year-round Dominant Plants: broad-leaved evergreen trees; ferns; large woody vines and climbing pants; orchids and bromeliads Key Features: thin, nutrient-poor soils, rapid decomposition and quick uptake of nutrients, "seasons" depend on location of ITCZ, most productive land biome Human Impact: Deforestation cause loss of habitat, loss of biodiversity, soil erosion, climate change destruction of indigenous cultures, loss of potential medicines

Woodland/Shrubland

Location: S.California, Nevada, Australia, Spain, Chile, South Africa Animals: Bobcat, Jackal, Javelina, Cactus wren, Roadrunner Climate Description: hot, dry summers, cool, moist summers Dominant Plants: woody evergreen shrubs with small, leathery leaves; fragrant oily herbs that grow during winter and die in summer Key Factors: thin nutrient-poor soils beaches of leaching by winter rains, also called chapparal; climate describes as Mediterranean periodic wildfires Human Impact: Human ignited wildfires; vineyards

Temperate Seasonal Forest

Locations: Indiana, Vermont, Japan, China, Germany, France Animals: Bald eagle, Coyote, Black Bear, White-tailed deer Climate Description: mild temperatures, abundant precipitation during fall, winter, and spring relatively cool, dry summer Dominant Plants: broadleaf deciduous trees; some conifers; flowering shrubs,; herbs Key Features: fertile soils, rich in organic material from seasonal decomposition of leaves long growing season, moderately high productivity (4 of 9) Human Impact: Much land is used for agriculture, development, and industry

Boreal Forest

Locations: Maine, Minnesota, Mongolia, Russia, Canada, Norway Animals: Canadian lynx, gray wolf, river otter, wolverine, grizzly bear Climate Description: long, cold winters short, mild summers moderate precipitation, high humidity Dominant Plants: needle-leaf coniferous trees such as spruce and fir; some broadleaf deciduous trees; small, berry-bearing shrubs Key Factors: nutrients-poor and acidic soils because of falling needles, also called taiga, only in northern hemisphere, moderate productivity (5 of 9)

Temperate/Grassland

Locations: South Dakota, Oklahoma, Kansas, Hungary, Uruguay, Ukraine Animals: Prairie dog, Badger, Prairie vole, Fox Squirrel, Mink Climate Description: warm to hot summers, cold winters, moderate, seasonal precipitation Dominant Plants: tall, perennial grasses; some drought-tolerant and fire resistant trees and shrubs Key Features: fertile soils, also called pampas, prairies, or steppes, dry windy conditions cause fires that prevent tree growth productive (7 of 9) Human Impact: Agriculture, grazing, urbanization, habitat fragmentation, hunting and poaching

Temperate Rain forest

Locations: Washington, Oregon, Argentina, Australia, Tasmania, Taiwan Animals: Cougar, Elk, Porcupines, Tree frog, Muskrat Climate Description: cold to moderate winters warm summers year-round precipitation Dominant Plants: Douglas fir, Sitka spruce, western hemlock, redwood; ground layer of mosses and ferns Key Features: rocky, acidic soils, coastal biome, oceans moderate temperature and provide water vapor for precipitation Human Impact: Logging, mills,and coastal fisheries; recreation and tourism

Savanna

Locations: Zimbabwe, Indochina, Bolivia, Tanzania, Namibia, India Animals: African elephant, Black mamba, Baboon, Emu, Mongoose Climate Description: warm temperatures, seasonal rainfall Dominant Plants: lush, perennial (short and tall) grasses and herbes; most are resistant to drought, fire, and cold Key Features: fertile soil compacted by grazing animals, seasons due to moving, ITCZ, large herds of migrating animals follow seasonal precipitation Human Impact: Conversion to land for agriculture and grazing; hunting, poaching mining, recreation, and tourism