Biomes

Biomes

Monday, March 25, 13

a large scale ecosystem with similar plants, animals, soil and climate

biome


Six major biomes• Taiga • Deciduous forest• Tropical rain forest• Desert• Tundra• Grassland


Tundra


TundraLocation: northern North America, northern Europe, northern Asia



Climate: Cold, ground stays covered in snow, permafrost – permanent frozen layer of ground, scarce rainfall, very short summer




Plants: mosses, lichens, small plants that do need a lot of water




Plants: mosses, lichens, small plants that do need a lot of water

Animals: caribou, migrating birds (come for the short summer)



Tundra Abiotic Factors


Tundra Abiotic Factors• <25 in/year


Tundra Abiotic Factors• <25 in/year• Temp rarely higher than 100C


Tundra Abiotic Factors• <25 in/year• Temp rarely higher than 100C• Permafrost layer


Tundra Abiotic Factors• <25 in/year• Temp rarely higher than 100C• Permafrost layer• Short growing season


Tundra Abiotic Factors• <25 in/year• Temp rarely higher than 100C• Permafrost layer• Short growing season



Tundra Plant Adaptations


Tundra Plant Adaptations•Growing close to the ground


Tundra Plant Adaptations•Growing close to the ground•Having shallow roots to absorb the limited water resources.


Tundra Plant Adaptations•Growing close to the ground•Having shallow roots to absorb the limited water resources.•Trees grow less than 1 m high!


Tundra Animal Adaptations


Many visitors, migration



Many visitors, migrationFew predators



Many visitors, migrationFew predatorsLittle Competition

Small earsInsulation, thick

coat





coat





coat



Taiga


TaigaLocation: Canada, Washington (State), Russia, China- Found only in Northern Hemisphere



Climate: long cold Winters, short Summers, frequent Rain




Plants: Evergreens (think Christmas Trees), Pines, Spruces, Cedars




Plants: Evergreens (think Christmas Trees), Pines, Spruces, Cedars

Animals: Moose, Bear, Lynx, Hibernating Animals, Migrating Animals



Abiotic factorsWinters are long and cold

Averages 100 in/yr precipitation—mostly snow

Soil poor in nutrients and very acidic

Growing season is very short


Plant adaptations

Animal AdaptationsAdapt for cold winters

Burrow, hibernate, warm coat, insulation, etc.


Plant adaptations

Coniferous (needle-bearing) trees are abundant




Plant adaptations


Roots long to anchor trees




Plant adaptations



Needles long, thin and waxy




Plant adaptations



Needles long, thin and waxy

Low sunlight and poor soil keeps plants from growing on forest




Tropical Rain Forest


Tropical Rain ForestLocation: near the Equator, Africa, & South America



Climate: Hot and Humid, rains everyday




Plants: Jungle (think Tarzan), very tall trees, thick vegetation on the ground, dense canopy




Plants: Jungle (think Tarzan), very tall trees, thick vegetation on the ground, dense canopy

Animals: parrots, Apes, Toucans, Monkeys, Leopards, other predatory Cats, Snakes


Earth's most complex land

biomeMonday, March 25, 13


biome

Abiotic factors



biome

Abiotic factors

high biodiversity and biomass



biome

Abiotic factors


both hot and moist;



biome

Abiotic factors


both hot and moist;

ideal for bacteria and other microorganisms; they quickly decompose matter on the forest floor allowing nutrients to be recycled.



biome

Abiotic factors


both hot and moist;


<1 cm of topsoil



biome

Abiotic factors


both hot and moist;


<1 cm of topsoil

About 100 in/yr of rainfall


Plant adaptations


Plant adaptations


Sunlight is a major limiting factor

Plant adaptations



Plant adaptations



Plants grow in layers (canopy receives most light)

Plant adaptations




Plant adaptations




Shallow, wide roots since soil is so thin and poor in nutrients

Plant adaptations





Plant adaptations





Little sun reaches the floor

Plant adaptations



Animal AdaptationsMany animals are specialists and require special habitat components to survive

Camouflage is common

Many symbiotic relationships

Live in different levels of canopy


Deciduous Forest


Deciduous ForestLocation: eastern United States (think about where we live), most of Europe, Australia



Climate: hot Summers, cold Winters, Rainfall throughout the year




Plants: Trees that lose their leaves, Maples, Oaks, Hickories, Sycamores, Willows




Plants: Trees that lose their leaves, Maples, Oaks, Hickories, Sycamores, Willows

Animals: Bears, Foxes, Raccoons, Deer, Squirrels, Birds


Abiotic Factors Plant adaptations

Animal Adaptations


Characterized by an abundance of deciduous (leaf bearing) trees

Characterized by 4 seasons

Soils: Deep soil layers, rich in nutrients

Precipitation: 30–100 in/yr in all forms (snow, rain, hail, fog, etc.)

Abiotic Factors Plant adaptations

Animal Adaptations






Abiotic Factors Plant adaptationsDeciduous forests grow in layers

Animal Adaptations







More sunlight reaches the ground compared to a rainforest so you will find more ground dwelling plants.

Animal Adaptations








More diversity in the deciduous forest vs. the coniferous forest due to increased sunlight.

Animal Adaptations









Trees adapt to varied climate by becoming dormant in winter

Animal Adaptations










Lose Winter Coat

Animal Adaptations










Lose Winter Coat

Adapt to many seasons

Animal Adaptations










Lose Winter Coat

Adapt to many seasons

Eat from different layers of the forest

Animal Adaptations


Desert

Location: Africa, Middle East, parts of North America

Climate: Hot in the day and cold at night, little rainfall


DesertPlants: Succulent Plants (retain water in the leaves), Cacti, and small Shrubs




DesertPlants: Succulent Plants (retain water in the leaves), Cacti, and small Shrubs

Animals: Lizards, Snakes, small Rodents, other Rodents



Abiotic factors

<10 in/yr of rain

Little to no topsoil due to high winds.

Minerals not deep in soil.

Too dry for decay



Desert Plant Adaptations:



• Spines



• Spines• Succulents



• Spines• Succulents• Thick, waxy cuticle



• Spines• Succulents• Thick, waxy cuticle• Shallow, broad

roots



• Spines• Succulents• Thick, waxy cuticle• Shallow, broad

roots



Desert Animal Adaptations:


Desert Animal Adaptations:• Get water from food


Desert Animal Adaptations:• Get water from food• Thick outer coat


Desert Animal Adaptations:• Get water from food• Thick outer coat• Burrow during day


Desert Animal Adaptations:• Get water from food• Thick outer coat• Burrow during day• Large ears


Desert Animal Adaptations:• Get water from food• Thick outer coat• Burrow during day• Large ears• Smaller animals = less surface area


Aquatic BiomesMarine (Salt Water)

Freshwater

– Location: Oceans & Estuaries

– Types of Organisms: Kelp, Whales, Dolphins, Sharks, Tuna, Crabs, Shrimp, Lobsters, Salmon, Eels, Plankton


Aquatic Biomes

– Location: Wetlands, Rivers, Streams, Ponds, Lakes, & Creeks

– Types of Organisms: Algae, Muskrats, Ducks, Geese, Fish, Pike, Carp, Bass, & Catfish

Marine (Salt Water)

Freshwater




Aquatic Biomes

– Location: Wetlands, Rivers, Streams, Ponds, Lakes, & Creeks

– Types of Organisms: Algae, Muskrats, Ducks, Geese, Fish, Pike, Carp, Bass, & Catfish

Marine (Salt Water)

Freshwater




Estuaries • Streams and rivers merge with ocean water in areas known as estuaries. • Estuary organisms experience changes in salt concentration and temperature as

the fresh water and salt water mix. • Estuaries serve as breeding grounds for many invertebrate and fish species, and

as nesting and feeding areas for a great diversity of birds. • Along most of the east coast of the United States, the major ecosystems found in

estuaries are salt marshes. • In tropical areas, the typical estuary ecosystems are mangrove swamps. • These swamps are dominated by mangrove trees, which are anchored by tangled

networks of arching roots.


• The area of shore between the high-tide and low-tide lines. • Pounded by waves during high tide and exposed to the sun and drying winds

during low tide, benthic organisms in this zone must be well-adapted to survive these harsh conditions

Intertidal Zone


Near Shore Zone • The area of the ocean from the low-tide line out to the edge of the

continental shelf. • Since the ocean here is fairly shallow, some sunlight reaches the

bottom in most of the zone. • As a result, many organisms that require light for photosynthesis can

live in this zone, including seaweeds and phytoplankton.


Open-Ocean Zone • The vast open ocean from the edge of the continental shelf outward. • Phytoplankton drifting near the surface are the major producers in this

zone. • Microscopic animals called zooplankton also inhabit this area and in turn

are a source of food for other animals.


http://www.pearsonsuccessnet.com/snpapp/iText/products/0-13-115075-8/glossary/terms/z/gzooplan.html

http://www.pearsonsuccessnet.com/snpapp/iText/products/0-13-115075-8/glossary/terms/z/gzooplan.html

Deforestation The removal of large amounts of trees for the resources those

trees or land provide


Reclamation The planting of new vegetation on land that has been previously harvested or

used.


Strip Mining

The removing of earth's resources by removing layer by layer, this destroys the land and makes it impossible to replant.




Terrence


Biomes

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