Final answer:
The 8 main types of biomes are Tropical Rainforest, Desert, Tundra, Taiga, Grassland, Temperate Deciduous Forest, Chaparral, and Savanna. Each biome is characterized by specific abiotic factors such as climate and soil type, which in turn determine the kinds of plant and animal life that can exist.
Step-by-step explanation:
The 8 main types of biomes are:
- Tropical Rainforest: Climate - high temperatures and high rainfall; Soil type - rich and acidic; Plant and animal life - dense vegetation, diverse plant and animal species
- Desert: Climate - hot and dry; Soil type - sandy and low in nutrients; Plant and animal life - adapted to drought and extreme temperatures
- Tundra: Climate - extremely cold; Soil type - frozen and low in nutrients; Plant and animal life - adapted to cold temperatures, low-growing vegetation, and Arctic animals
- Taiga: Climate - cold and long winters, cool summers; Soil type - acidic and rocky; Plant and animal life - coniferous forests, large mammals such as moose and bears
- Grassland: Climate - moderate temperature, seasonal rainfall; Soil type - fertile and deep; Plant and animal life - vast grassy plains, herbivores like bison and pronghorn
- Temperate Deciduous Forest: Climate - four distinct seasons, moderate rainfall; Soil type - fertile; Plant and animal life - broadleaf trees that lose leaves in winter, diverse bird and mammal species
- Chaparral: Climate - mild, wet winters and hot, dry summers; Soil type - shallow and rocky; Plant and animal life - shrubs, small trees, animals with adaptations to fire
- Savanna: Climate - warm temperatures, seasonal rainfall; Soil type - rich and fertile; Plant and animal life - grasses, scattered trees, large herbivores