11 Types of Biomes and Their Animals (with Maps)

Biomes of the World

Key Concepts: Biomes, Tundra (Arctic, Antarctic, Alpine), Forest (Boreal, Temperate, Tropical), Grassland (Tropical, Temperate), Desert, Aquatic (Marine, Freshwater), Climate Adaptation, Biodiversity, Ecosystems.

Tundra

• Definition: Biome characterized by extremely low temperatures and low precipitation, covering ~10% of Earth's landmass.
• Types:
  • Arctic Tundra: Located between the Arctic polar ice cap and the boreal forest (taiga). Temperatures range from 4°C (summer) to -32°C (winter). Features permafrost.
    • Fauna: 48 land mammal species. Muskoxen and reindeer (caribou in North America) are primary consumers. Predators include arctic foxes, wolves, and polar bears (largest bear species, up to 1500 lbs, diet mainly seals). Migratory birds (snow geese, ducks, loons) visit during the short growing season. Snowy owls are year-round residents, preying on lemmings, voles, hares, and other birds.
  • Antarctic Tundra: Similar conditions to Arctic tundra.
    • Fauna: Seals and penguins (king penguin, second largest penguin species) use pack ice and tundra for breeding. Leopard seals are predators.
  • Alpine Tundra: Found in mountainous regions (excluding Antarctica). Milder summers and longer growing season (~6 months) compared to Arctic. Improved drainage leads to higher soil quality.
    • Fauna: Mountain goats (western US, Canada, Alaska), snow leopards (East Asia, vulnerable status due to poaching and habitat loss), wolves, bears. Migratory birds visit in summer. Golden eagles (wingspan ~8 feet) prey on marmots. Insects (butterflies, beetles, grasshoppers) are present.

Forest

• Definition: Biome defined by dense vegetation of trees, covering ~40% of the world's landmass.
• Types:
  • Boreal Forest (Taiga/Snow Forest): Located south of the tundra. Increased precipitation and lack of permafrost allow for evergreen (coniferous) trees.
    • Fauna: Moose, elk, roe deer are primary consumers. Wood bison (Northwestern Canada, Alaska) are the largest terrestrial animal in North America (up to 2600 lbs, 11 feet tall). Siberian tigers (Far Eastern Russia, Northeastern China) are the largest felids (up to 600 lbs). Lynx (Eurasian and Canada lynx) prey on snowshoe hares. Brown bears are also present. Beavers are a keystone species, building dams. Stoats are voracious predators. ~32,000 insect species in Canada's boreal forests. Birds include great grey owls, great horned owls, tarmigans, woodpeckers, and Canada jays. Wood frogs and boreal chorus frogs are present.
  • Temperate Forest: Located closer to the equator than boreal forests, but outside the tropics. Dominated by deciduous trees with leaves that change color and shed in autumn.
    • Fauna: Fewer large mammals. Deer (white-tailed, red, sika) are common. Predators include cougars (massive range from North America to South America) and timberwolves. Black bears are also present. Smaller mammals include badgers (Europe), hedgehogs (Europe), tree squirrels (Europe, North America), chipmunks (North America), and raccoons (North America). Red pandas (Himalayas) feed mostly on bamboo. Koalas (Australia) feed mainly on eucalyptus leaves. Birds include pigeons, robins, tits, jays, warblers, and hawks. Garter snakes are common. Insects (lepidoptera) are plentiful. Amphibians (toads, frogs, salamanders) thrive.
  • Tropical Forest (Rainforest): Located in the tropics (between the Tropic of Capricorn and Tropic of Cancer). Highest precipitation and biodiversity.
    • Fauna: Tigers (Asia) and jaguars (Americas) are apex predators. Anacondas (South America) are the world's largest snake (up to 30 feet, 550 lbs). Primates (chimpanzees, gorillas in Africa; orangutans in Borneo and Sumatra; capuchins, tamarins, howler monkeys in the Americas). Anteaters and sloths (Americas) are from the order Pilosa. Tapias (Americas) eat up to 85 lbs of vegetation daily. Parrots (macaws in the Americas, cockatoos in Australasia, lovebirds in Africa). Snakes (pythons, boas, green mambas, bush vipers). Insects (butterflies, praying mantis).

Grassland

• Definition: Wide open fertile plains filled with various species of grass. Trees grow individually, not grouped like forests. Covers ~25% of the world's landmass.
• Types:
  • Tropical Grassland (Savannah): Found in Africa, South America, Australia, and Mexico.
    • Fauna: Predators include lions, cheetahs, hyenas, African wild dogs (largest wild canine in Africa), and crocodiles. Herbivores include zebra, buffalo, wildebeest, gazelles, and giraffes. Rhinos (white and black) are threatened. Elephants (largest extant land mammal, up to 6.9 tons). Nile crocodiles (up to 1600 lbs). Reptiles include African rock pythons and black mambas. Insects include termites (mounds up to 30 feet). Birds include lilac breasted rollers and birds of prey (vultures, buzzards, eagles). Australian savannah fauna includes kangaroos (largest marsupial) and emus (second largest bird).
  • Temperate Grassland: Located at similar latitudes as temperate forests. Frigid nights and winters.
    • Fauna: Predators include coyotes, foxes (corsac fox in Central Asia), and pampas cats. Grazing animals include bison (over 2000 lbs), gazelles, wild horses, and guanacos. Przewalski's horse (Mongolian wild horse) is the last wild horse species. Smaller mammals include pole cats, skunks, badgers, and prairie dogs. Black-footed ferrets (American pole cat) feed on prairie dogs. Birds include blackbirds, sparrows, quails, hawks, falcons, kestrels, and eagles (eastern imperial eagle).

Desert

• Definition: Extremely low precipitation and high temperatures, covering ~25% of the world's landmass.
• Adaptations: Plants (cacti, bushes) have spines or wool to reduce water loss. Animals are often nocturnal.
• Fauna: Camels (bactrian, wild bactrian, dromedary/arabian). Arabian camels can last 10-15 days without water. Other mammals include adax antelope and mule deer. Predators include cougars, bobcats, foxes (fennec fox with large ears for heat dissipation), and coyotes. Smaller mammals include hares, rabbits, kangaroo rats (bipedal movement, leaps up to 9 feet), gerbils, and meerkats (social groups, burrow systems). Reptiles include rattlesnakes, scorpions, tarantulas, black widows, wolf spiders, lizards, and snakes. Birds include road runners (omnivorous, speeds over 40 km/h) and burrowing owls. Insects include ants, bees, beetles, grasshoppers, butterflies, and moths. Viceroy butterflies exhibit müllerian mimicry with monarch butterflies.

Aquatic

• Definition: 71% of Earth's surface.
• Types:
  • Marine Biome: Salinity over 0.5 parts per thousand.
    • Ecosystems: Ocean, coral reef (high biodiversity), estuary (transitional zone between fresh and salt water).
    • Fauna: Cetaceans (whales, dolphins, porpoises; killer whales/orcas are apex predators). Manatees (sea cows, herbivorous). Pinnipeds (seals, sea lions, walruses; southern elephant seal is the largest pinniped). Sea turtles (hawksbill, leatherback, green sea turtle). Saltwater crocodiles (largest crocodilian). Fish (chondrichthes/cartilaginous fish: sharks, rays, skates; osteichthyes/bony fish: moray eel, clownfish, tuna, swordfish, ocean sunfish; agnatha/jawless fish). Invertebrates (crustaceans: lobsters, crabs; cephalopods: octopuses, jellyfish; bivalves: mussels, oysters; coral). Birds (puffins, blue-footed boobies, albatross, gannets, penguins).
  • Freshwater Biome: Low salt levels.
    • Categories: Ponds and lakes, streams and rivers, wetlands.
    • Fauna: Fish (trout, pike, bass, catfish, piranha). Salmon and trout migrate to breed. Birds (ducks, swans, geese, pelicans, kingfishers, herons, osprey). Mammals (capybaras, otters, beavers, river rats, giant river otter). Amphibians (frogs, bullfrogs, axolotl). Reptiles (crocodiles, alligators, cayman, turtles, snakes, terrapins, pond slider, red eared slider). Insects (dragonflies, mayflies, mosquitoes, water striders). Invertebrates (leeches, crayfish, freshwater crabs).

Synthesis/Conclusion:

The video provides a detailed overview of the world's major biomes, categorized into tundra, forest, grassland, desert, and aquatic environments. Each biome is further divided into specific types (e.g., Arctic, Antarctic, and Alpine tundra; boreal, temperate, and tropical forests) and characterized by its climate, vegetation, and animal life. The video highlights the unique adaptations of organisms to their respective environments, showcasing the incredible biodiversity and ecological relationships within each biome. It also touches upon conservation concerns, such as the vulnerable status of snow leopards and rhinos, emphasizing the importance of understanding and protecting these diverse ecosystems. The discussion of keystone species, such as beavers, underscores the significant impact certain organisms have on their environment.