global ecosystems

• biomes are large-scale, global ecosystems with distinctive vegetation
• climate determines what type of biome forms
• tropical forests have no definite seasons, have high temperatures and high rainfall
• tropical forests have evergreen trees to take advantage of the continual growing season as they are adapted to take in maximal light
• evergreen plants don't drop their leaves in a particular season
• tropical forests have dense vegetation providing lots of food and habitats for species
• tropical forests have plants that grow quickly and shed all year round, meaning that when the leaves decompose the soil recieves a constant supply of nutrients
• temperate forests have 4 distinct seasons, rainfall is high and day length vary depending on the season
• temperate forests have a broad leaved trees that drop their leaves in autumn
• temperate forests have a range of plants providing food and habitats for animals
• temperate forests have plants that drop leaves and it decomposes quickly meaning the soil is relatively thick and nutrient-rich
• taiga forests have short summers and long winters; precipitation is low and it falls as snow
• taiga forests have coniferous and evergreen trees so they can grow whenever there is enough light.
• tiaga forests have few animal species as there is less food available and need to be adapted to the cold to survive
• tiaga forests have thin, nutrient-poor and acidic soil because the needles of the trees decompose slowly and in some areas, the ground is frozen
• tropical grasslands have low rainfall and wet and dry seasons, as well as high temperatures before a wet season and low temps just after it
• temperate grasslands have hot summers and cold winters as well as low precipitation
• tropical grasslands have a variety of animals and plants
• tropical grasslands have thin, nutrient rich soil due to grass dying back during dry seasons
• tropical grasslands have thin, nutrient rich soil due to grass dying back during dry seasons
• temperate grasslands have few trees and fewer animals than tropical grasslands
• temperate grasslands have thick, nutrient rich soil because high temperatures in summer mean that decomposition is fast
• deserts have low rainfall and vary in temperature
• deserts have sparse plant growth due to the lack of rainfall
• deserts have relatively few animal species and those that do art adapted to survive in the harsh climate
• deserts have sparse vegetation meaning there is little leaf litter and the dry climate means organic matter is slow to decompose so the soil is thin and nutrient poor
• tundra have low temperatures and low precipitation and is found in the high latitudes
• tundra's cold climate and lack of light make it hard for plants to grow
• tundra has a lack of vegetation meaning few animal species live there
• tundra has thin and nutrient poor soil due to sparse vegetation so little leaf litter which decomposes slowly
• biome distribution is affected by local factors: altitude, rock type , soil type and drainage