How Do Biomes Differ?

Identify the different biomes, or regions, with their different climates.

Steps:

1. Start by looking at three of the biomes: the rainforest, desert, and tundra. Identify an area where you might find each of these ecosystems (for example, tundra in the Arctic, rainforest in regions of South America, and desert in the Sahara).

a. Begin with the desert--think about what you might see there. The desert is very dry and hot during the day. What kind of plant life might you see there? Cactus and sagebrush are examples. What kind of animals might you see? Maybe lizards and various snakes. Many of the animals live close to the ground where they can burrow in the sand. Why do you think they might have adapted that way? (They protect themselves from the hot sun and wind. Also, there is very little protection from predators in the open desert; burrowing provides a means of escape.)

b. Now, think about the tundra, with a very different climate than the desert. The tundra is cold and treeless, with frozen soil and snow. Lichens and mosses do grow there, though, and animals such as polar bears live there. Polar bears have thick, white fur. Why do you suppose polar bears have adapted this way? (For warmth from the cold and to blend in with the landscape for hunting and protection.)

c. Next, the rainforest is different. Here it is wet, warm, and home to many different plants and animals. What kind of plants or animals might you see there? Spider monkeys climb trees like the wind! How that might help them in the rainforest? (Protection from predators.)