ECOSYSTEMS OF THE WORLD
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Tropical Rain Forests

Savannas

Deserts

Temperate Grasslands

Deciduous Forests

Coniferous Forests

Tundra

ECOSYSTEM LINKS

 
 

TROPICAL RAIN FORESTS

There is LITTLE temperature variation and ABUNDANT moisture.  More species live here than in any other biome.  Look for tropical rain forests in tropical regions of SOUTH AMERICA, CENTRAL AMERICA, ASIA, AFRICA, and AUSTRALIA.

http://www.ontheline.org.uk/explore/nature/trfindex.htm
 
 

SAVANNAS

Savannas are OPEN, WIDELY SPACED, and have SEASONAL rainfall.  Lions, rhinos, elephants, giraffes, and gazelles are found here.  They can be found in the regions of AFRICA, SOUTH AMERICA, and AUSTRALIA.

http://www.plantzafrica.com/vegetation/savanna.htm
 
 

DESERTS

Deserts are DRY, have SPARSE vegetation, and SCATTERED GRASSES.  Kangaroo rats, camels, and cactuses are found in parts of AFRICA, ASIA, AUSTRALIA, and NORTH AMERICA.
 
 

http://helios.bto.ed.ac.uk/bto/desbiome/biome.htm
 
 
 

TEMPERATE GRASSLANDS

Temperate grasslands have RICH soil, and TALL, DENSE grasses.  Buffalo roam in prairie grasses located in CENTRAL NORTH AMERICA and CENTRAL ASIA.

http://www.summitelgin.org/grassland_web/Temperate%20Grasslands/Introduction.htm
 
 

DECIDIOUS FORESTS

WARM summers and COOL winters are found here, with raccoons, deer, maples, oaks, and hickories calling these forests their home.  They are found in EUROPE, NORTHEASTERN US, and EASTERN CANADA.

http://ths.sps.lane.edu/biomes/deciduous3/deciduous3.html
 
 

CONIFEROUS FORESTS

Here SHORT growing seasons and COLD winters are found with elk and moose roaming about.  Evergreen trees grow here as well.  Go to NORTHERN ASIA or NORTHERN NORTH AMERICA to see this wildlife.
 
 

http://library.thinkquest.org/17456/conifer1.html?tqskip1=1&tqtime=0523
 
 
 

TUNDRA

Tundra is characterized by OPEN WIND SWEPT grounds which are DRY and always FROZEN.  Caribou, lemmings, wolves, mosses, and lichens are here.  They are found in FAR NORTHERN ASIA and NORTHERN NORTH AMERICA.

http://ths.sps.lane.edu/biomes/tundra3/tundra3.html#Animals
 
 
 

LINKS

CHECK OUT THESE WEBSITES ON ECOSYSTEM BIOMES AND ECOSYSTEMS IN GENERAL, AND CLICK LINKS FOR FURTHER INFORMATION.

TROPICAL RAIN FORESTS
    "ON THE LINE"
    "NEEDHAM HIGH SCHOOL"

SAVANNAS
    "RUNET SCHOOL"
    "PLANTS OF AFRICA"

DESERTS
    "UNIVERSITY CORPORATION FOR ATMOSPHERIC RESEARCH"
    "HELIOS BIOMES"

TEMPERATE GRASSLANDS
    "SUMMITEL"

DECIDUOUS FORESTS
    "LANE EDUCATION"

CONIFEROUS FORESTS
    "THINK QUEST"

TUNDRA
    "KENNESAW SCHOOL"

GENERAL
    "MBGNET"
    "LIBRARY AT THINKQUEST"
    "BLUE PLANET BIOMES"
 
 

This informative and life-altering web page was created by Becky and Kristen from the infamous AP Biology class of 2001-2002.