Chapter 7 Climate and Terrestrial Biodiversity Georgia Average January Temperature.

Chapter 7Chapter 7 Climate and Terrestrial Climate and Terrestrial BiodiversityBiodiversity

Georgia Average January Temperature

Chapter Overview QuestionsChapter Overview Questions

What What factorsfactors effect the earth’s effect the earth’s climateclimate??

How does How does climateclimate determine where the determine where the earth’s major earth’s major biome’sbiome’s are found? are found?

Chapter Overview Questions (cont’d)Chapter Overview Questions (cont’d) What are the major types of What are the major types of desert biomesdesert biomes??

What are the major types of What are the major types of grassland grassland biomesbiomes??

What are the major types of What are the major types of forest and forest and mountain biomesmountain biomes??

How have How have human activitieshuman activities affected the affected the world’s desert, grassland, forest, and world’s desert, grassland, forest, and mountain biomes?mountain biomes?

Core Case Study- Blowing in the Wind: Core Case Study- Blowing in the Wind: A Story of A Story of ConnectionsConnections

Wind connects most life on earthWind connects most life on earth Wind moderates Wind moderates temperature temperature by distributing by distributing heatheat

Keeps tropics from being unbearably hot.Keeps tropics from being unbearably hot. Prevents rest of world from freezing.Prevents rest of world from freezing.

Trade Winds: Engines of HistoryTrade Winds: Engines of History

Similarities Between Wind & Water Currents?Similarities Between Wind & Water Currents?

Global Ocean Currents

Core Case StudyCore Case StudyBlowing in the Wind: Blowing in the Wind:

A Story of ConnectionsA Story of Connections

Wind connects most life Wind connects most life on earth.on earth.

NutrientsNutrients (PO (PO44 and Fe) and Fe)

from Africa to Bahamas from Africa to Bahamas and Braziland Brazil

NutrientsNutrients (Fe) from Gobi (Fe) from Gobi Desert (China) to Pacific Desert (China) to Pacific Ocean phytoplanktonOcean phytoplankton

Figure 5-1Figure 5-1

Sahara Dust stormsSahara Dust storms have have increased 10x since the 1950s increased 10x since the 1950s due to drought, overgrazing, due to drought, overgrazing, and driving of SUVs on desert and driving of SUVs on desert soilssoils

Red soil particles and US-banned Red soil particles and US-banned pesticidespesticides blowing from Africa blowing from Africa to Florida have made it difficult to Florida have made it difficult for FL to meet federal for FL to meet federal standardsstandards

Iron-rich African dustIron-rich African dust contributes contributes to Fl toxic algae blooms called to Fl toxic algae blooms called “red tides”.“red tides”.

Wind also transports microbes, particulates, Wind also transports microbes, particulates, pesticides, and toxic elements (Pb, Hg, Cd, etc)pesticides, and toxic elements (Pb, Hg, Cd, etc)

Toxics and dust from China contribute up to 10% of US West Coast smog.

CLIMATE: A BRIEF INTRODUCTIONCLIMATE: A BRIEF INTRODUCTION

WeatherWeather is a local area’s short-term physical is a local area’s short-term physical conditions such as temperature and conditions such as temperature and precipitation.precipitation.

ClimateClimate is a region’s average weather is a region’s average weather conditions over a long time.conditions over a long time. LatitudeLatitude and and elevationelevation help determine climate. help determine climate.

Earth’s Current Climate ZonesEarth’s Current Climate Zones

Figure 5-2Figure 5-2

Solar Energy and Global Air Solar Energy and Global Air Circulation: Distributing HeatCirculation: Distributing Heat

Finish these sentences:Finish these sentences:

Warmer air ________

Cooler air _______

rises.

sinks.

Solar Energy and Global Air Solar Energy and Global Air Circulation: Distributing HeatCirculation: Distributing Heat

Global air circulation Global air circulation is affected by the is affected by the (1)uneven heating(1)uneven heating of of the earth’s surface by the earth’s surface by solar energy, and solar energy, and (2)seasonal changes(2)seasonal changes in temperature and in temperature and precipitation.precipitation.

Coriolis EffectCoriolis Effect

Global air Global air circulation is circulation is affected by affected by (3) (3) thethe rotation of rotation of the earththe earth on its on its axis.axis.

NextNext

Convection CurrentsConvection Currents

Global air Global air circulation is circulation is affected by affected by (4) the(4) the properties of air properties of air water, and landwater, and land..

NextNext

Convection CellsConvection Cells

Heat and moisture Heat and moisture are distributed over are distributed over the earth’s surface by the earth’s surface by vertical currents, vertical currents, which form which form six giant six giant convection cellsconvection cells at at different latitudes.different latitudes.

Figure 5-6Figure 5-6

Fig. 5-9, p. 106

Polar ice

Equator

Tropic ofCapricorn

Tropic ofCancer

High mountains

Polar grassland (arctic tundra)Temperate grasslandTropical grassland (savanna)ChaparralConiferous forestTemperate deciduous forestTropical forestDesert

Ocean Currents: Ocean Currents: Distributing Heat and NutrientsDistributing Heat and Nutrients

Ocean currents influence climate by Ocean currents influence climate by distributing heat from place to place and distributing heat from place to place and mixing and distributing nutrients.mixing and distributing nutrients.

nextnext

Ocean Currents: Ocean Currents: Distributing Heat and NutrientsDistributing Heat and Nutrients

Global warming:Global warming: Considerable scientific evidence and climate Considerable scientific evidence and climate

models indicate that large inputs of greenhouse models indicate that large inputs of greenhouse gases from gases from anthropogenicanthropogenic activities into the activities into the tropospheretroposphere can enhance the natural greenhouse can enhance the natural greenhouse effect and change the earth’s climate in our effect and change the earth’s climate in our lifetimes.lifetimes.

Rain Shadow EffectRain Shadow Effect

Mojave Desert: Formed in the rain Mojave Desert: Formed in the rain shadow of the Sierra Madre Rangeshadow of the Sierra Madre Range

http://www.cas.vanderbilt.edu/bioimages/ecoregions/nam-ecoregions-list.htm

Mojave DesertMojave DesertJoshua TreesJoshua Trees

BIOMES: BIOMES: CLIMATE AND LIFE ON LANDCLIMATE AND LIFE ON LAND

Different climates lead to different Different climates lead to different communities of organismscommunities of organisms, especially , especially vegetationvegetation..

Biomes Biomes – large terrestrial regions characterized – large terrestrial regions characterized by similar climate, soil, plants, and animals.by similar climate, soil, plants, and animals.

Each biome contains Each biome contains many ecosystemsmany ecosystems whose whose communities have adapted to differences in communities have adapted to differences in climate, soil, and other environmental factors.climate, soil, and other environmental factors.

BIOMES: BIOMES: CLIMATE AND LIFE ON LANDCLIMATE AND LIFE ON LAND

Figure 5-9Figure 5-9

Fig. 5-9, p. 106

Polar ice

Equator

Tropic ofCapricorn

Tropic ofCancer

High mountains

Polar grassland (arctic tundra)Temperate grasslandTropical grassland (savanna)ChaparralConiferous forestTemperate deciduous forestTropical forestDesert

BIOMES: BIOMES: CLIMATE AND LIFE ON LANDCLIMATE AND LIFE ON LAND

Biome type is determined by precipitation, Biome type is determined by precipitation, temperature and soil typetemperature and soil type

NextNext

Fig. 5-10, p. 107

Polar

Rain forestTropical

seasonalforest

Scrubland

Savanna Desert

TropicalGrassland

Chaparral

DeciduousForest

Coniferous forest

Desert

Temperate

SubpolarTundra

Wet

Cold

Dry

Ho

t

BIOMES: BIOMES: CLIMATE AND LIFE ON LANDCLIMATE AND LIFE ON LAND

Parallel changes occur in vegetation type Parallel changes occur in vegetation type occur when we travel from the equator to the occur when we travel from the equator to the poles or from lowlands to mountaintops.poles or from lowlands to mountaintops.

Figure 5-11Figure 5-11

DESERT BIOMESDESERT BIOMES

Deserts are areas where evaporation Deserts are areas where evaporation exceeds precipitation.exceeds precipitation.

Deserts have little precipitation and little Deserts have little precipitation and little vegetation.vegetation. Found in Found in tropical, temperate and polar regionstropical, temperate and polar regions..

Desert plants have Desert plants have adaptationsadaptations that help that help them stay cool and get enough water.them stay cool and get enough water.

DESERT BIOMESDESERT BIOMES

Variations in Variations in annual annual temperature (red) temperature (red) and precipitation and precipitation (blue) in tropical, (blue) in tropical, temperate and temperate and cold deserts.cold deserts.

Figure 5-12Figure 5-12

Fig. 5-12a, p. 109

Tropical DesertExample: Saudi Arabia

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Fig. 5-12b, p. 109

Temperate DesertExample: Sonoran Desert, in southern Arizona

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Fig. 5-12c, p. 109

Polar DesertExample: Gobi Desert in northern China and Mongolia

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DESERT BIOMESDESERT BIOMES

The flora and The flora and fauna in desert fauna in desert ecosystems ecosystems adapt to their adapt to their environment environment through their through their behaviorbehavior and and physiologyphysiology..

Figure 5-13Figure 5-13

Does the desert biome have aesthetic value?Does the desert biome have aesthetic value?

Mojave Desert (CA, USA)

Sonoran Desert, AZ, USA, and South into Mexico

GRASSLANDS AND CHAPARRAL GRASSLANDS AND CHAPARRAL BIOMESBIOMES

Variations in Variations in annual annual temperature temperature (red) and (red) and precipitation precipitation (blue).(blue).

Figure 5-14Figure 5-14

Fig. 5-14a, p. 112

Tropical grassland a.k.a. “savanna”Example: Sub-Saharan Africa

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Fig. 5-14b, p. 112

Temperate grasslandExample: Great Plains of the United States

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Fig. 5-14c, p. 112

Polar grassland: arctic tundra (different from alpine tundra)

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GRASSLANDS AND CHAPARRAL GRASSLANDS AND CHAPARRAL BIOMESBIOMES

GrasslandsGrasslands (prairies) occur in areas (prairies) occur in areas too moist too moist for desertfor desert and and too dry for foreststoo dry for forests..

SavannasSavannas are tropical grasslands with are tropical grasslands with scattered tree and herds of hoofed animals.scattered tree and herds of hoofed animals.

Savanna- Tropical GrasslandSavanna- Tropical Grassland

Savanna- Tropical GrasslandSavanna- Tropical Grassland

Temperate GrasslandsTemperate Grasslands

Cold winters and hot Cold winters and hot dry summers dry summers

Figure 5-15Figure 5-15

Temperate GrasslandsTemperate Grasslands Deep and fertile soilDeep and fertile soil (rich in (rich in humushumus) that make ) that make

them ideal for growing crops and grazing cattle.them ideal for growing crops and grazing cattle.

Figure 5-15Figure 5-15

Temperate GrasslandsTemperate Grasslands

Temperate tall-Temperate tall-grass prairie grass prairie ecosystem in North ecosystem in North America.America.

Figure 5-16Figure 5-16

Polar Grasslands a.k.a. TundraPolar Grasslands a.k.a. Tundra

Polar grasslands Polar grasslands are covered with ice are covered with ice and snow except and snow except during a brief during a brief summer.summer.

Figure 5-17Figure 5-17

TUNDRATUNDRA

ColdCold Usually treelessUsually treeless Largest biomeLargest biome Low precipitation, but Low precipitation, but

somewhat moistsomewhat moist Thin topsoil over Thin topsoil over

permafrostpermafrost Nutrient poorNutrient poor

Fig. 5-17, p. 114

Moss campion

MountainCranberry

Lemming

DwarfWillow

Willow ptarmigan

Horned lark Arcticfox

Snowy owlMosquito

Grizzly bear

Long-tailed jaeger

Caribou

Producer to primaryconsumer

Primaryto

secondaryconsumer

Secondary to

higher-levelconsumer

All producers andconsumers todecomposers

ChaparralChaparral Chaparral has a Chaparral has a

moderate moderate climate but its climate but its dense thickets of dense thickets of spiny shrubs are spiny shrubs are subject to subject to periodic fires.periodic fires.

Primarily in Primarily in CaliforniaCalifornia

Mediterranean Mediterranean climateclimate

Figure 5-18Figure 5-18

FOREST BIOMESFOREST BIOMES

ForestsForests have enough precipitation to support have enough precipitation to support stands of trees and are found in stands of trees and are found in tropicaltropical, , temperatetemperate, and , and polarpolar regions. regions.

FOREST BIOMESFOREST BIOMES

Variations in annual Variations in annual temperature (red) temperature (red) and precipitation and precipitation (blue) in tropical, (blue) in tropical, temperate, and temperate, and polar forests.polar forests.

Figure 5-19Figure 5-19

Fig. 5-19a, p. 116

Tropical rain forestExamples: Amazon and Indonesia

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Fig. 5-19b, p. 116

Temperate deciduous forestExample: Eastern US

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Fig. 5-19c, p. 116

Polar evergreen coniferous forest(boreal forest, taiga)Examples: Northern Canada and Russia

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Tropical Rain ForestTropical Rain Forest

Figure 5-21Figure 5-21

Tropical Rain ForestTropical Rain Forest

Figure 5-21Figure 5-21

Tropical Rain ForestTropical Rain Forest

Tropical rain forests Tropical rain forests have heavy rainfall have heavy rainfall and a rich diversity and a rich diversity of species.of species. Found near the Found near the

equator.equator. Have year-round Have year-round

uniformity warm uniformity warm temperatures and temperatures and high humidity.high humidity.

Figure 5-20Figure 5-20

Fig. 5-21, p. 118

Groundlayer

Black-crownedantipitta

Brazilian tapir

Woolly opossum

Tocotoucan

Shrublayer

Understory

Canopy

Emergent layer

Hei

gh

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s)

Harpy eagle

Tropical Rain ForestTropical Rain Forest

Filling such niches enables species to avoid Filling such niches enables species to avoid or minimize competition and coexistor minimize competition and coexist

Figure 5-21Figure 5-21

Temperate Deciduous ForestTemperate Deciduous Forest

Most of the trees Most of the trees survive winter by survive winter by dropping their dropping their leaves, which leaves, which decay and decay and produce a nutrient-produce a nutrient-rich soil.rich soil.

Figure 5-22Figure 5-22

Temperate Deciduous ForestTemperate Deciduous Forest

Figure 5-22Figure 5-22

Fig. 5-22, p. 120

Producer to primaryconsumer

Primaryto

secondaryconsumer

Secondary to

higher-levelconsumer

All producers andconsumers todecomposers

Wood frog

RacerMay beetle

Bacteria

FungiLong-tailedweasel

Shagbark hickory

MountainWinterberry

Metallic wood-boringbeetle andLarvae

White-taileddeer

White-footedmouse

GraySquirrel

HairyWoodpecker

White oak

Broad-wingedhawk

Evergreen Coniferous ForestsEvergreen Coniferous Forests

Consist mostly of Consist mostly of cone-bearing cone-bearing evergreen trees that evergreen trees that keep their needles keep their needles year-round to help year-round to help the trees survive the trees survive long and cold long and cold winters.winters.

Figure 5-23Figure 5-23

Temperate Rain Forests:Temperate Rain Forests:Coastal OR, WA, & Northern CACoastal OR, WA, & Northern CA

Figure 5-24Figure 5-24

MOUNTAIN BIOMESMOUNTAIN BIOMES High-elevation High-elevation islands islands

of biodiversityof biodiversity Often have snow-Often have snow-

covered peaks that covered peaks that reflect solar radiationreflect solar radiation and gradually release and gradually release water from the water from the “snowpack” to lower-“snowpack” to lower-elevation streams and elevation streams and ecosystems.ecosystems.

Figure 5-25Figure 5-25

HUMAN IMPACTS ON HUMAN IMPACTS ON TERRESTRIAL BIOMESTERRESTRIAL BIOMES

Human activities have damaged or disturbed Human activities have damaged or disturbed more than halfmore than half of the world’s terrestrial of the world’s terrestrial ecosystems.ecosystems.

Humans have had a number of specific Humans have had a number of specific harmful effects on the world’s deserts, harmful effects on the world’s deserts, grasslands, forests, and mountains…grasslands, forests, and mountains…

Fig. 7-20, p. 158

NATURAL CAPITAL DEGRADATION

Major Human Impacts on Terrestrial Ecosystems

Deserts Grasslands Forests Mountains

Large desert cities Conversion to cropland

Clearing for agriculture, livestock grazing, timber, and urban development

Agriculture

Soil destruction by off-road vehicles

Timber extraction

Release of CO2 to atmosphere from burning grassland Conversion of

diverse forests to tree plantations

Hydroelectric dams and reservoirs

Mineral extraction

Soil salinization from irrigation Increasing tourism

Overgrazing by livestockDepletion of

groundwater Damage from off-road vehicles

Urban air pollution

Increased ultraviolet radiation from ozone depletionLand disturbance

and pollution from mineral extraction

Oil production and off-road vehicles in arctic tundra

Pollution of forest streams

Soil damage from off-road vehicles