Biomes

What is a biome?

• a large naturally occurring community of flora and fauna occupying a major habitat, e.g., forest or tundra.

• Usually synonymous with ecosystems.

Types of biomes in WA:

• In general:– Tundra (alpine)– Subalpine– Taiga– Temperate forest– Temperate grassland– Temperate scrubland– Temperate rainforest

Tundra (alpine)

• Short summer season (8 weeks commonly)• No permafrost• Lichens, mosses, many huckleberry members,

some other small shrubs• No trees!

Subalpine

• ~5000’ or so• AKA ‘parkland’• Very biodiverse• Some trees (firs)

do well here, although their growth may be stunted

Taiga

• Dominated by conifers• Some small-leaved flowering trees can live in

warmer areas of this biome (like alder, birches)

Temperate forest

• Mix of conifers and broad-leaved flowering trees (think big-leaf maple!)

• Has upper canopy, lower canopy, and understory subzones

• Ferns (like sword fern) can dominate understory

Temperate rainforest

• West side of Olympics

• Ex. Hoh River Rainforest

• >100” rain per year

Temperate grassland & scrubland:

• Rainfall <26” per year• More rainfall = grassland• Less rainfall = scrubland• Scrubland dominated by drought-tolerant

bushes and plants

Biomes are influenced by climate

Biomes are influence by terrain:

Biomes are influenced by rainfall:

Ecoregions of Washington State

Biomes are influenced by altitude:

NEffects of altitude on vegetation and temperature (about 3F decrease for every 1000 ft gain).