MAJOR BIOMES OF THE WORLD
The major biomes of the world are;
1. Tropical forest/ Temperate forests.
2. Savannah.
3. Desert.
4. Shrub.
5. Alfro -alpine.
6. Swamp.
The biomes of the temperate regions are different from the tropical biomes for two major reasons:
1. Rainfall: it is the main ecological factor in the tropical biomes while temperature is the main ecological factor in the temperate biomes.
2. There are two seasons (dry and wet) influencing the tropical biomes while there are four seasons ( summer, autumn, winter and spring) influencing the temperate biomes.
A. TEMPERATE DECIDUOUS : This region is found in Europe, Asia, and North America.
Characteristics
1. Hardwood trees such as maple, walnut, beech oak etc.
2. Limited number of different tree species.
3. Animals like Raccoons and Salamanders are present. The deciduous (sheds its leaves annually).
Differences between the tropical rainforest and the temperate deciduous forest.
Temperate deciduous Tropical rainforest
Fewer number of tree species. A great variety of tree species.
Most plants are deciduous Plants are evergreen.
Epiphytes absent Epiphytes present.
Influenced by temperature Influenced by rainfall.
Have four seasons (summer, autumn, spring and
winter
Have two seasons (wet and dry)
B. DESERTS
Deserts are found in Tanzania, Brazil and Southern coast of California.
Characteristics
1. They have very high temperature with little rainfall and strong dry wind.
2. Sandy or rocky, incapable of holding water.
3. Thorny trees and Shrubs are in abundance.
4. Some plants called succulents, store water in their stems or leaves
6. Some grow spine to discourage animals from eating plants for water.
7. Plants found are mainly Acacia, Cactus etc.
C. ALFRO ALPINE
They are located in the East Africa and Ethiopian region.
Characteristics
1. Low temperature
2. They have majority of perennial plants with the perennating bulbs close to the ground.
3. Absence of tall trees are as a response to the harsh climatic conditions.
4. Ground covered by snow or frozen for 4-5 months of the years. After the snow has melted in the
spring the ground begins to be warmed by the sun. This stimulates growth from the perennating bulbs.
5. Animals include birds, insects, oxen, wolves.
6. The growing season is short and the mean temperature of the warmest month is usually less than 15 0 C
7. The most dominant species in Afro -alpine region is the giant Lobelia (Lobelia bequarti) and giant granidsels (Senecio johnstonii).