Comparing Climate Regions and Biomes
Problem:
How can you use climate information to determine the boundaries of US biomes?
Materials:
Color Pencils
Procedure:
1.
Study the map of North America shown below. The lines on the map are isotherms. The key
shows the average annual precipitation in different parts of the continent.
2. The data table below shows average annual precipitation and temperature for each of the five
major land biomes in the United States.
3. Compare the information on the map and in the table. Then draw the approximate boundaries
of each biome on your map. Be sure to use a different color for each biome.
Less than 37.5 cm
37.5 – 75 cm
75 – 125 cm
More than 125 cm
Biome
Tundra
Coniferous Forest
Deciduous Forest
Grasslands
Desert
Average Annual
Precipitation
0 – 25 cm
50 – 125 cm
75 – 150 cm
25 – 75 cm
0 – 25 cm
Average Annual
Temperature
Below 0° C
0 - 12° C
5 - 25° C
5 - 25° C
10 - 25° C
Analysis and Conclusions:
1. Is there a relationship between climate zones and biomes? Explain.
2. Is there a relationship between latitude and climate zone? Explain.
3. Is there a relationship between latitude and biome? Explain.
4. Is there a relationship between longitude and precipitation? Explain.
5. Is there a relationship between longitude and climate zone? Explain.
6. Is there a relationship between longitude and biome? Explain.
7. Climate zones are classified using temperature and precipitation. Is it possible to have overlap
between temperature and precipitation ranges? Provide an example.
8. Based on your answer to Number 7, why are biomes not classified using precipitation and
temperature?
9. Suggest some other criteria that biomes might be classified using.