Exploring the Tundra and Taiga Biomes

Tundra Biome

• Treeless plains with permafrost defines the tundra.
• The tundra has a short growing season and low biodiversity.
• The climate is extremely cold with harsh, dry winters and strong winds.
• Winter temperatures can drop to -40°C, while summer temperatures can reach 12°C.
• Low precipitation characterizes the rainfall pattern, ranging from 150 to 250 mm per year.
• Flora includes mosses, lichens, dwarf shrubs, and hardy grasses.
• Fauna consists of arctic foxes, polar bears, snowy owls, and migratory birds.
• A layer of permanently frozen ground, is called permafrost.
• Tundra is located in high latitudes of the Northern Hemisphere, mainly in the arctic region, specifically between 60°N and 75°N.
• Locations include Arctic Tundra (Alaska, Canada, Greenland, Russia, Scandinavia) and Alpine Tundra (Himalayas, Rocky Mountains, Andes).

Boreal Forest/Taiga Biome

• This biome is mostly covered by coniferous trees like spruce, pine, and fir, with acidic, nutrient-poor soil.
• It is located in the Northern Hemisphere, forming a belt below the Arctic Tundra.

Temperate Forest Biome

• This biome is defined by four distinct seasons (spring, summer, autumn, winter) and deciduous trees, with rich, fertile soil.
• The climate is mild with moderate humidity and seasonal changes.
• Winter temperatures can drop to -5°C, while summer temperatures can reach 30°C.
• Rainfall ranges from 750 to 1500mm annually, evenly distributed year-round.
• Flora includes deciduous trees like oak, maple, and beech, as well as evergreen trees.
• Fauna includes deer, foxes, black bears, squirrels, and various bird species, trees have long, wide leaves.
• Temperate forests are found in mid-latitudes, primarily in regions with four distinct seasons in both the Northern and Southern Hemispheres, between 30°N/S and 55°N/S.
• Locations include Eastern North America, Europe (Germany, France, UK), East Asia (China, Japan, Korea), parts of South America (Chile), and Australia (Tasmania).

Tropical Rainforest Biome

• It is the most biodiverse biome, featuring a dense canopy, multiple vegetation layers, and poor soil.
• The climate is hot and humid, with little seasonal variation.
• Temperatures range from 20°C to 30°C all year. Rainfall is abundant, ranging from 2000 to 4000 mm annually, with frequent rainfall year-round.
• Flora includes broadleaf evergreen trees, vines, and epiphytes (orchids & ferns).
• Fauna includes jaguars, monkeys, sloths, parrots, and insects; sunlight hardly reaches the ground.
• Located near the equator, near the tropics of Capricorn and Cancer, between 0°N/S and 15°N/S.
• Locations include the Amazon Basin, Congo Basin, Southeast Asia, and Northern Australia.

Grassland Biome

• This biome includes areas covered in grass with few trees, open continuous land, and frequent wildfires.
• The presence of fertile soil helps for agriculture.
• The climate features seasonal variations with warm summers and cool winters.
• Temperatures depend on the location, ranging from -5°C to 30°C.
• Rainfall ranges from 500 to 900mm annually, with wet and dry seasons.
• Flora includes grasses and acacia trees.
• Fauna includes bison, zebras, lions, kangaroos, and African elephants.
• Grasslands are found in both temperate and tropical regions, located in interior regions of continents, away from coasts.
• Locations include Tropical Savannas (Africa, South America, Northern Australia) and Temperate Grasslands (North American Prairies, Eurasian Steppes, Argentinian Pampas).
• The latitudinal zones consist of Tropical Savannas (between 10°N/S and 20°N/S, near rainforests) and Temperate Grasslands (between 30°N/S and 50°N/S).

Desert Biome

• Extremely low rainfall leads to dry and arid conditions. Also includes extreme temperature fluctuations between day and night.
• Specialized plants and animals are adapted for water conservation, low humidity, and moisture deficits.
• Landscapes include dunes, towering peaks, and polished canyons.
• The climate is hot and arid, or cold and dry, with Temperature depending on where it is; Hot Deserts (30°C to 50°C in the day) and Cold Deserts (-10°C to 10°C).
• Rainfall is less than 250 mm annually with sporadic rainfall.
• Flora includes cacti, succulents, and drought-resistant shrubs.
• Fauna includes camels, snakes, lizards, scorpions, and nocturnal mammals.
• Deserts have sparse vegetation found in regions with low precipitation and mainly in subtropical and mid-latitudes.
• Deserts can be found in the 30° latitude belt where dry air descends, between 15°N/S and 35°N/S.
• Hot Deserts include Sahara, Middle East, Arabian Desert (Africa), Mojave Desert (USA), Australian Outback.
• Cold Deserts include Gobi Desert (Mongolia/China), Great Basin (USA), and Patagonian Desert (Argentina).

Mountain/Alpine Biome

• This biome occurs at high elevation with temperatures decreasing as altitude increases.
• Thin atmospheres with lower levels of oxygen and winter snow covers.
• These are diverse ecosystems that have forests at lower elevations and tundra-like conditions at the peak.
• Climate varies with elevation, getting colder and windier at higher altitudes.
• Winter temperature are below freezing and mild in summer
• Moderate to high precipitation, often snow at higher altitudes.
• Flora includes coniferous forests (lower elevation) and alpine grasses, shrubs, and lichens (higher elevations).
• Fauna includes mountain goats, snow leopards, eagles, marmots, and pikas.
• Mountain/alpine biomes are found at high elevations across all latitudes, with climate and vegetation changing with altitude, occurring at elevations above 3000 meters in most regions.
• Locations include Asia, Himalayas, South America (Andes), North America (Rocky Mountains), Europe (Alps), and Africa (Ethiopian Highlands)

Other key points

• Evergreen trees never lose their leaves.
• The higher the altitude, the higher the chance of the tree losing its leaves.
• There is a "tree line" which is a distinct line at a certain altitude, which in Australia is generally 900 m.
• You are to read "uses of biomes" PowerPoint, complete "uses of biomes” worksheet pt 2: Then read"interpreting weather maps” and complete synoptic chart questions
• Synoptic charts change format into a table later to make it easier to look at.
• Frontal rain - research
• Be able to identify isobars and how to measure them (hPs)
• Be able to identify low and high pressure areas
• Shaded area means it rained in the last 24 hours
• Air pressure is measured by Hectopascals (hPa), which are not contour lines.
• Isobars indicate wind/pressure (closer lines means stronger wind).
• Measures between lines always increase/decrease in a uniform manner.
• Lower hPs equal a higher chance of a typhoon/hurricane (talking about lower than 900hPs).
• If there is a circle it means that there is no wind and it is completely calm
• There is warm and cold fronts which move air; Cold comes from the south in Australia from Antarctica
• A trough, indicated by a broken line, means a low-pressure system is there but isn't connected to an isobar.
• When warm air meets cold air, the temperature difference between the two airs tends to create clouds.
• Air Pressure systems occur when the lines converge in a point/when the isobars look like a circle of some sort.
• Low air pressure systems have numbers decreasing, are clockwise and contain unstable weather conditions.
• Warm, lighter air rises here (leading to clouds being formed) leading to a high chance of rain.

High air pressure systems

• The numbers increase towards the centre
• Cold air sinks down (clouds can't form)
• Wind direction goes in a counterclockwise direction
• E.g. a sunny day with a clear sky
• Stable atmospheric conditions with gentle winds and clear skies
• Little chance of rain