BiomesBiomes

Factors that determine biome Factors that determine biome distributiondistribution

ClimateClimate– TemperatureTemperature– MoistureMoisture– WindWind– Ocean currentsOcean currents

Geography – Latitude and altitudeGeography – Latitude and altitude

Soil typeSoil type

Moisture - PrecipitationMoisture - Precipitation

TypeType– RainRain– SnowSnow– FogFog

AmountAmount

SeasonSeason– MonsoonMonsoon

RainshadowRainshadow

Topographic FeaturesTopographic Features

WindPatternsWindPatterns

Ocean CurrentsOcean Currents

Now…for the rest of the periodNow…for the rest of the period

As a group, produce a document (As a group, produce a document (scrawl scrawl on a piece of paperon a piece of paper) indicating) indicating– Your project choice and formatYour project choice and format– What you have done so farWhat you have done so far– What you still need to do to get a 100% on the What you still need to do to get a 100% on the

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The Terrestrial BiomesThe Terrestrial Biomes

Tropical Rain ForestTropical Rain Forest

200-400 cm annual rainfall200-400 cm annual rainfall

Warm – found around the EquatorWarm – found around the Equator

High species diversityHigh species diversity

Soil infertileSoil infertile

Many plants are epiphytesMany plants are epiphytes

AKA jungleAKA jungle

Threatened by loggingThreatened by logging

DesertDesert

Less than 25 cm annual rainfallLess than 25 cm annual rainfall

Temperature extremesTemperature extremes

Vegetation sparseVegetation sparse

Caused by rainshadowingCaused by rainshadowing

SavannaSavanna

Tropical grasslandTropical grassland

Annual rainfall 90-150 cm, seasonalAnnual rainfall 90-150 cm, seasonal

Open landscape with widely spaced treesOpen landscape with widely spaced trees

Often large herding animalsOften large herding animals

Temperate Deciduous ForestTemperate Deciduous Forest

Annual precipitation 75-250cm.Annual precipitation 75-250cm.

Distinct seasonsDistinct seasons

Hardwood trees that shed their leavesHardwood trees that shed their leaves

Eastern North American, Western EuropeEastern North American, Western Europe

Threaten by logging, developmentThreaten by logging, development

Temperate GrasslandsTemperate Grasslands

AKA prairie, pampasAKA prairie, pampas

Moderate climateModerate climate

Annual rainfall less than deciduous forest, Annual rainfall less than deciduous forest, more than desertmore than desert

Populated by large herding animalsPopulated by large herding animals

Threatened by agriculture and Threatened by agriculture and developmentdevelopment

Fire climaxFire climax

TaigaTaiga

Northern conifer forestsNorthern conifer forests

Cold, wetCold, wet

Threatened by loggingThreatened by logging

TundraTundra

Annual precipitation 25 cmAnnual precipitation 25 cm

Cold, treelessCold, treeless

PermafrostPermafrost

Home to migratory waterfowl, large Home to migratory waterfowl, large mammals and mosquitoesmammals and mosquitoes

Threatened by mining and oil explorationThreatened by mining and oil exploration

ChaparralChaparral

Mild moist winterMild moist winter

Hot dry summerHot dry summer

““California climate”California climate”

Adapted to firesAdapted to fires

Temperate Rain ForestTemperate Rain Forest

Pacific NorthwestPacific Northwest

Mild wet winters, cool foggy summersMild wet winters, cool foggy summers

Old growth trees, mossesOld growth trees, mosses

Threatened by loggingThreatened by logging

Aquatic BiomesAquatic Biomes

75% of the earth’s surface is covered by 75% of the earth’s surface is covered by waterwater

Characterized byCharacterized by– SalinitySalinity– TemperatureTemperature– Light levelsLight levels

Freshwater CommunitiesFreshwater Communities

Lakes cover 1.8% of the Earth’s surfaceLakes cover 1.8% of the Earth’s surface

Rivers and streams cover .8% of the Rivers and streams cover .8% of the earth’s surfaceearth’s surface

Mountain StreamMountain Stream

Swift flowing waterSwift flowing water

Rocks, MossesRocks, Mosses

ColdCold

Freshwater LakeFreshwater Lake

Still waterStill water

Distribution of life Distribution of life depends on light and depends on light and oxygen levelsoxygen levels

SwampSwamp

Flooded forestFlooded forest

MarshMarsh

Wet grasslandWet grassland

““Nature’s kidneys”Nature’s kidneys”

Marine CommunitiesMarine Communities

Shallow watersShallow waters

SurfaceSurface

DepthsDepths

EstuariesEstuaries

Where freshwater and saltwater mingleWhere freshwater and saltwater mingle

Bays, lagoons, inletsBays, lagoons, inlets

Organisms found here have to tolerate Organisms found here have to tolerate changes in salinitychanges in salinity

Beaches and ShoresBeaches and Shores

Organisms need to handle tidal extremes Organisms need to handle tidal extremes and wave actionand wave action

Kelp ForestKelp Forest

Coral ReefCoral Reef

http://www.surfline.com/video/vids/2002/dec/jsps/tues_wm.cfm