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Unit 2: The Biosphere

Tundra

Temperature range ( ℃ ):

• -40 to 18 Precipitation Range (cm):
• 15 to 25

Major Plant Types:

• Shrubs, lichens. NO TREES Example Animal Species:
• Hare, Arctic Fox, Polar Bear, Caribou

Important Facts:

• Permafrost (Subsoil is permanently frozen)
• Low precipitation, cool temperatures, shallow soil = low NPP

Example Location:

• Greenland, Extreme Northern Asia and Canada

Temperate

Grassland

Temperature range ( ℃ ):

• -20 to 30
• Precipitation Range (cm):
• 50 to 90

Major Plant Types:

• Grasses Example Animal Species:
• Bison, Pronghorn, Prairie Dog, Black-footed Ferret, Sage Grouse

Important Facts:

• NPP limited by precipitation and low winter temps.
• Species evolved around regular wildfire cycles
• Extremely fertile soil

Example Location:

• Midwestern USA and Central Asia

Boreal Forest /

Taiga

Temperature range ( ℃ ):

• -40 to 20 Precipitation Range (cm):
• 30 to 90

Major Plant Types:

• Conifers (i.e.: Pine, Spruce, etc.) Example Animal Species:
• Moose, Wolf, Bear, Beaver

Important Facts:

• Short Growing Season
• Low precipitation + slow decomposition (from cool temperatures) + shallow soil = low NPP

Example Location:

• Between 50° N to 60° N (North America, Europe, and Russia)

Woodland/

Shrubland/

Chaparral

Temperature range ( ℃ ):

• 0 to 38 Precipitation Range (cm):
• 25 to 75

Major Plant Types:

• Drought resistant shrubs (Sages, Yucca, etc) Example Animal Species:
• Mule Deer, Roadrunner, Coyote, Jack Rabbit

Important Facts:

• NPP limited by summer high temperatures and low precipitation
• Species evolved around regular wildfire cycles

Example Location:

• Mediterranean coast, Southern California

Tropical Rainforest

Temperature range ( ℃ ):

• 20 to 30 Precipitation Range (cm):
• 200 to 1000 Major Plant Types:
• Broadleaf Evergreens Example Animal Species:
• Poison Dart Frog, Gorilla, Orangutan, Chimpanzee, Jaguar

Important Facts:

• Very rapid plant growth = very low soil nutrient levels
• Most biodiversity (⅔ terrestrial species)
• Very high NPP

Example Location:

• Amazon, The Congo Basin, Sumatra