Terrestrial biomes
Post on 12-Nov-2014
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I. Biomes: areas that have distinctive
climates and organisms
Tropical Rainforest
Tropical Rainforest
once, 20% of earth; now 7%
exist around equator, so strong sunlight and consistent climate.
Tropical Rainforest
humid, always warm, never freezes, lots of rain (100-400 in. a year = 250-1000 cm/yr)
Tropical Rainforest
Has poor soil. So how do many species of plants thrive?
answer: rapid decay of plants and animals constantly returning nutrients to the soil
plants grow in layers (strata) for sunlight. Lots of light at canopy; little at bottom. Plants on forest floor often have huge leaves.
animals are often poisonous or camouflaged
Temperate Rain Forest
occur in North & South
America, Australia, & New Zealand
Temperate Rain Forest
cool & humidMild winters and summers for latitude
70 – 200 inches of rain per year (150 – 500 cm)
Temperate Rain Forest
Only a few species of lush evergreen and deciduous trees on windward slopes
Redwoods – tallest trees on earth
Huge ferns, thick undergrowth
Temperate Rain Forest
Numerous bird and mammal species – raccoons, gray wolf, white-tailed deer, bears, badgers, wild pigs, etc.
Temperate Deciduous ForestsLeaves turn
colors. Trees shed
leaves each fall.
Temperate Deciduous Forestsexist b/t 30 degrees & 50 degrees north latitude, so seasonal variation
Temperate Deciduous Forests
30 - 100 inches
Precipitation
(75-250 cm/yr)
soil rich & deep. Why?
rain causes rapid decomposition of leaves
forests grow in layers
migratory birds ; hibernating animals
Taiga: northern coniferous forest just below Arctic
Circle
Taiga
long, cold winters
precipitation = snow
constant daylight in summer
Taiga
conifer trees: needle-shaped leaves (retain water, acidic)
Taiga
soil forms slowly, is acidic; few plants on ground
Taiga
migrating birds, burrowing and camouflaged animals
Tropical Savanna
Tropical Savanna
near equatorvery little rain - less than 6 months of the year (4 –70 inches)
Tropical Savanna
plants: long underground roots to survive fire and dry season, perennials;
- thorny plants so animals won’t eat
Tropical Savanna
Migratory herbivores follow rains- different herbivores eat plants of different heights.
Tropical Savanna
Contains the largest number of grazing animals
Tropical Savanna
predators follow
mostly large land animals
Grassland & Prairies
Temperate Grasslands & Prairies
Rainfall – 25 – 88 cm/year (10 – 35 in/yr)
Sizzling temperatures in summer
30º - 50º N latitudebuffalo
Temperate Grasslands & Prairies
Plant Adaptations- Root systems of plants form dense mats to survive drought and fire and hold the soil in place.- Few trees because of the drought, fire and constant wind.
Temperate Grasslands & Prairies
Animal Adaptations- buffalos have thick coats to withstand the cold winters
- prairie dogs & owls live in underground burrows to protect them from fire, elements and predators
Deserts
Desertsreceive less than 10
in. precip/yr (25 cm/yr) extreme temp flux!
Dry winds
Deserts
soil rich in minerals, but poor in organic matter. Why?
Desertsans: not enough water to aid in decomposition.
Desertsplants: succulents :thick stems & leaves to store water -
Desertsspiny & thorny
underground bulbs or wide root systems
Deserts
animals:dry, scaly skin
Desertssome estivate (bury themselves in the ground & sleep through the dry season)
Desertsmany nocturnal
Kangaroo rat
Tundra
Tundra
North of the Arctic Circle
Tundra
biome w/o trees, grasses & shrubs grow in permanently frozen soil (permafrost)
Tundra7 – 40 inches of rain/yearOnly 2 or 3 months above freezing
Long and cold winterBrief cool summer
Tundraplants:mosses & lichens (can grow w/o soil)
Tundrawide, shallow roots anchor plants against wind
animals:migratorycamouflagethick coats
Tundra
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