BIOMES chapter 2

1. BIOMESchapter 2

2. Biomes are determined by rainfall and temperature • Biomes are large terrestrial regions characterized by similar climate, soil, plants, and animals regardless of their global locations. • Differences in average annual rainfalland temperaturehelp us predict what type of desert, grassland or forest biome we would see in a given region- climate

3. Your book discusses biomes and aquatic systems • Tundra • Northern coniferous forests (boreal) • Deciduous forests • Grasslands • Deserts • Tropical forests • Shrublands (chaparrel) • Marshes • Open oceans • Estuaries • Mangroves • Swamps • Bogs

5. TUNDRA • The region north of the tree line and near the Arctic Circle. • Unique area due to sun’s low angle for much of the year. Snowy owl • Has a cold, severe climate. • Few plants with a growing season of less than 60 days. Most are small and grow in marshy plains. Mosses and willows are common. • Little precipitation and low temperature. • Permafrost (frozen soil) • Animals such as caribou, arctic fox, reindeer and snowy owl.

6. Northern Coniferous Forests(taiga, boreal) • (forest in Canada, northern US, parts of Europe and Asia) moose • Cool-cold with more precipitation and a longer growing season. • Lots of needle-leafed trees such as pine, spruce and fir. • Dense forests allow little sunlight to reach the ground. Little vegetation on the shady forest floor. • Big mammals such as elk, deer, moose, bear, and smaller animals such as weasels, snowshoe hares and lots of birds.

7. Deciduous Forests • This is the biome we live in! White-tailed deer • Temperature is moderate, climate has warm, humid summers and cold winters. Rainfall is from 30-60 inches/year. • Dominated by broadleaf, deciduous trees and soil is rich with litter. • High productivity and diversity of organisms

8. Grasslands • Also called prairies, pampas (S. America), steppes (Russia, Asia, and Europe). badger • Are usually located in the interiors of continents. • Not enough precipitation to support tree growth, but enough for lots of grasses. Often used as farmlands. • Animals found are bison, antelope, coyote, badgers, prairie dogs, rattlesnakes. Have lots of insects.

9. Deserts • Receive less than 10 inches of rainfall/year. • Plants and animals are adapted to meerkat save water. • Largest are the Sahara and Gobi. Sahara is getting larger due to drought, overgrazing and woodcutting for fuel. • Occur in the interior of continents. • Ecosystems are easily damaged and are severely affected by human activities such as irrigation, city growth, off-roading, and camping.

10. Tropical Forests • Located near the equator. No freezing and lots of moisture. toucan • Contain the greatest plant and animal diversity of all ecosystems. • Soils are thin and poor. • Largest rain forests occur in the Amazon Basin of S. A. • Major reservoirs for the production of atmospheric O2 and the consumption of CO2. • Many forests are being cleared for farming, grazing and lumber.

11. Shrublands • Covered by shrubby vegetation with hard, thick, waxy leaves that are jack rabbit drought resistant. • Climate is hot and dry in the summer and cool/cold, and wet in the winter. • Coast of California- chaparral • Subject to fire.

12. AQUATIC ECOSYSTEMS • Freshwater – inland waters with few salts. Can be flowing (river) or standing (lake) • Springs → Brooks → Streams → Creeks → Rivers • Rivers • Erode banks • Carry sediment which get deposited and forms fertile soils.

13. Standing Waters • The water is contained. • Puddles, ponds, bogs and lakes. • Salt concentrations may vary. • All are temporary because they will eventually fill with sediments (succession).

14. Wetland Areas • Swamps- shallow with trees and shrubs (Okefenokee Swamp) • Bogs- shallow with trees and shrubs. Accumulates a deposit of peat (dead plants) such as Sphagnum moss. Water is acidic and low in nutrients. • Marshes – non-woody plants (Florida Everglades) • Swamps and Marshes are areas of breeding and rearing habitats for insects, birds, amphibians, reptiles, shrimp

15. Marine Waters • All the oceans are connected and form one large ecosystem. • Moderates earth’s climate by absorbing the sun’s energy in the summer and releasing it in the winters. • Dissolved salts/minerals increase with depth and nearness to the equator. Salinity is less near the shoreline. • Most productivity is along the continental shelf, shorelines and in the estuaries. • Small phytoplankton called diatoms produce a large part of earth’s oxygen.

16. Estuaries • Transitional zones between freshwater and open ocean. • Also called bays, coves, sounds, and are sheltered from direct wind and ocean waves. • Are very productive regions and are considered a nursery for many sea animals. • Chesapeake Bay in Virginia is the largest in the world.

17. Mangroves • Trees and shrubs that grow in saline coastal sediment habitats in the tropics and subtropics • Plants have physiological adaptations to overcome the problems of anoxia (low oxygen), high salinity and frequent tidal inundation

18. Coral Reefs “rainforests of the sea” • marine equivalent of tropical rain forests. • habitat for one-fourth of all marine species. • are underwater structures made from calcium carbonate secreted by corals which are tiny, living animals. • grow best in warm, shallow, clear, sunny and agitated waters.

19. Which Biome is it? • dominated by broad-leaf, deciduous trees? Deciduous Forest • Contains the greatest biodiversity of all ecosystems Tropical Forest • Nature’s nursery Estuary • The few plants are short and small Tundra

20. Water is contained Standing waters such as….. • Lakes, ponds, bogs and puddles • The major photosynthetic ecosystem of the world Oceans • Lots of needle-leafed trees with little ground litter Northern Coniferous Forest • Shallow wetland with trees Swamp “Rainforests of the sea” Coral reefs

21. Do you remember… What are the photosynthetic organisms in the oceans that produce a large part of earth’s oxygen? Diatoms The 2 factors that determine climate? Temperature and rainfall What is another name for frozen soil? Permafrost How humans are harming the deserts? Off-roading, irrigation, city growth, camping

22. “We live on a global spaceship” • Explain what this statement means. Be specific!