Utah’s Biomes Wetlands Forests Deserts
Dec 18, 2015
Utah’s BiomesWetlandsForestsDeserts
ElevationHow does elevation affect:
Temperature
Precipitation
Plants
Animals
Wetla
nd
sa lo
w a
rea w
here
the la
nd
is soake
d w
ith
wate
rWet most of the year because the soil soaks up most of the water and holds it.
Located between dry land and open water .
May not always appear wet because of tall plants or low level water.
A healthy wetland has a good balance of precipitation and dry weather
Wetla
nds
a lo
w a
rea w
here
the la
nd
is soake
d w
ith
wate
r
Wetlands are ecosystems in which the soil is saturated with water for at least part of the year (during the growing season).
Wetlands are home for many well-adapted plants and animals.
Wetlands can come in many forms including ponds, swamps, bogs, marshes, lake or river edges, playas, or mudflats.
Water enters a wetland by inflow from tributaries or by precipitation.
Water can leave a wetland by evaporation (which is the part of the water cycle that includes the movement of water to the air from soil, plants, and water surfaces), by the leaking of water into the soil, or by overflow of water around the edges.
Three things all wetlands have in common
1. Water
2. Wet soil
3. Water loving plants
Wetlands a Valuable ResourceHelp control flooding
Clean the water
Are rich in natural resources
Are the home for more living things than any other habitat
Wetlands can benefit us:
Wetlands serve as nesting and nursery areas for many kinds of animals.
Wetland plants and animals can act like a filter to break down pollution or to trap sediment.
Wetlands plants can help to moderate temperatures and also to store carbon.
Wetlands can serve as flood control by absorbing water and slowing moving water.
Life in the Wetlands
Large numbers of fish, insects, birds, and other animals live in the wetlands. They depend upon the wetland habitat to supply them with food, shelter and water. Many animals rely on the protection and security of the large number of plants for raising their young. The wetlands are also used by thousands of migrating birds as nesting and resting places.
Fore
stsan a
rea o
f lan
d th
at is co
vere
d in
tre
es
Deciduous forests
Deciduous: plants which lose their leaves in the fall and regrow new leaves in the spring
Coniferous forestsConiferous: evergreen plants that stay green
all year and never lose their leaves
Decid
uous
Fore
sts
In Utah, the deciduous forests are found on the lower slopes mountains
The climate in this area has four distinct seasons. The winter in deciduous forests is cold, the summer is hot, and the fall and spring are mild. The average yearly rainfall measures between 75 and 150 cm (30 to 60 in).
Con
ifero
us Fo
rests
Coniferous forest; a forest which is comprised of trees or shrubs that have cones.
The winter in this forest is very long and cold. Snowfall is very heavy during the winter season. In the spring the ground often becomes soggy and swampy from the snow melt. Summers are cool and pleasant.
Forests a Valuable Resource
Forests help reduce gases that are put into the air from cars and factories
The trees give out large amounts of oxygen that we breathe
Forest help keep our water clean and prevent soil erosion
Dese
rtla
nd
that re
ceiv
es le
ss than
10
in
ches o
f rain
fall a
year
Utah is the second driest state in the United States
Most of Utah’s natural state is desert
What Plants and Animals do you think live in Utah’s Biomes?
Wetlands Deserts Forests