Biomes

• A community of living organisms of a single ecological region (ecosystem). It is determined by climate and rainfall. • Vegetation (plants) adapts to the climate and the rainfall.

• Animals adapt to the vegetation.

Organism: a living thing that has the ability to act and function independently ex: Animals, plants, fungus, bacteria Climate: the weather in a location averaged over a long period of time; long term weather conditions.

Adapt: to make suitable to requirements or conditions in the environment.

There are four main biomes in North America.

1. Desert 2. Tropical 3. Temperate 4. Polar

Desert Biome

1. An area having less than 25 cm of rainfall each year. 2. The monthly average temperatures are between 10 o C and 25 o C 3. Because the air is very dry, heat builds up in the soil during the day but is quickly lost at night.

4. Plants adapt to the drastic temperature changes and lack of moisture in the air by having roots spread out in all directions and only a short distance below the ground.

Tropical Biome

1. Occurs in warm areas near the equator.

2. Annual (yearly) rainfall is over 180 cm.

3. There are no distinct seasons.

4. The most complex of all biomes with more types of vegetation and wildlife than any other.

5. The average monthly temperatures range from 15 o C and 22 o C Equator: An imaginary line that marks the diameter of the earth.

Temperate Biome

1. Characterized by definite seasons (hot summers and cold winters) as well as wet and dry periods.

2. Average yearly rainfall is over 100cm.

3. There is a distinct yearly variation in length of days and nights. (daylight savings time) 4. Monthly average temperature range from 12 o C to 20 o C.

5. Nova Scotia is in the temperate biome range.

Polar Biome (tundra)

1. A treeless plain of mostly level land. 2. The subsoil is permanently frozen.

3. The summers are short and only a few centimetres of soil unthaw during this time.

4. Monthly average temperatures range from 4 o C to 12 o C.

Plain: a flat area consisting of low growing vegetation.