Biomes Chapter 6. What is a biome? Biome- large region characterized by a specific type of climate and certain types of organisms. Biome- large region

BiomesBiomes

Chapter 6Chapter 6

What is a biome?What is a biome? Biome- large region characterized by a Biome- large region characterized by a

specific type of climate and certain types of specific type of climate and certain types of organisms.organisms.

Biomes and VegetationBiomes and Vegetation

Biomes are described by their vegetation Biomes are described by their vegetation because plant species will determine the because plant species will determine the animal species in an area.animal species in an area.– Plants in a biome have adaptations that allow Plants in a biome have adaptations that allow

them to survive the climate conditions for that them to survive the climate conditions for that biome.biome. Ex- size, shape, color, root depth, reproductive Ex- size, shape, color, root depth, reproductive

strategystrategy

Biomes and ClimateBiomes and Climate

Climate- weather conditionsClimate- weather conditions– Climate determines plants Climate determines plants – Two most important factors:Two most important factors:

Temperature- most organisms are adapted to live in Temperature- most organisms are adapted to live in a range of temperatures. If the temperature get out a range of temperatures. If the temperature get out of the desired range the organism my die.of the desired range the organism my die.

Precipitation-The larger the organism the more water Precipitation-The larger the organism the more water is needed for growth and survival.is needed for growth and survival.

Biomes and ClimateBiomes and Climate

Biomes and ClimateBiomes and Climate Latitude- distance north or south from the Latitude- distance north or south from the

equator.equator. Altitude- the height of an object above seas Altitude- the height of an object above seas

level.level.

Forest BiomesForest Biomes


Tropical Rain ForestTropical Rain Forest– Location- around the world near the equatorLocation- around the world near the equator


Tropical RainforestTropical Rainforest– Precipitation- 200-450 cm Precipitation- 200-450 cm

per yearper year– Temperature- very warmTemperature- very warm– Growing season- 12 monthsGrowing season- 12 months– Soil- Poor qualitySoil- Poor quality

Leeching washes away Leeching washes away nutrientsnutrients

Plants adapted with buttresses Plants adapted with buttresses to support the tall trees with to support the tall trees with shallow root systems.shallow root systems.


Tropical RainforestTropical Rainforest– Species diversity- greatest amount of diversity Species diversity- greatest amount of diversity

One hectare of land may contain 100 species of One hectare of land may contain 100 species of trees (compared to only a few species in a temperate trees (compared to only a few species in a temperate forest.)forest.)

Insects, amphibians, reptiles, mammals, birdsInsects, amphibians, reptiles, mammals, birds

– Threats- Logging and clearing for farm landThreats- Logging and clearing for farm land 7% of earth’s surface (compared to 20% in the past)7% of earth’s surface (compared to 20% in the past) Everyday about 100 acres lostEveryday about 100 acres lost


Temperate RainforestTemperate Rainforest– Location- North America, Australia and New Location- North America, Australia and New

Zealand.Zealand.– Precipitation- 200-450 cm per yearPrecipitation- 200-450 cm per year– Temperature- Moderate TemperaturesTemperature- Moderate Temperatures– Growing season- 9-12 months since it rarely Growing season- 9-12 months since it rarely

gets below freezing.gets below freezing.– Soil- Nutrient RichSoil- Nutrient Rich


Temperate Deciduous ForestTemperate Deciduous Forest– Location- between 30 and 50 NLocation- between 30 and 50 N


Temperate Deciduous Temperate Deciduous ForestForest– Precipitation- 75-125 cm Precipitation- 75-125 cm

per yearper year– Temperature- Warm to hot Temperature- Warm to hot

summers and cool to cold summers and cool to cold winterswinters

– Growing season- 4-6 Growing season- 4-6 monthsmonths

– Soil- Deep rich soil due to Soil- Deep rich soil due to dropping of leaves in the dropping of leaves in the autumn.autumn.


Temperate Deciduous ForestTemperate Deciduous Forest– Species diversity- Good Species Diversity Species diversity- Good Species Diversity

Insects, mammals, birdsInsects, mammals, birds Amphibians and reptiles in warmer forestAmphibians and reptiles in warmer forest

– Threats- Logging and clearing for farm land and Threats- Logging and clearing for farm land and urbanizationurbanization Forest land has increased as farm land has been Forest land has increased as farm land has been

abandoned in the U.S. and other countries.abandoned in the U.S. and other countries. Today more forest exist in Alabama than in 1900.Today more forest exist in Alabama than in 1900.


Taiga (Northern Coniferous Forest or Boreal Taiga (Northern Coniferous Forest or Boreal Forest)Forest)– Location- around 50 NLocation- around 50 N


TaigaTaiga– Precipitation- around 50 cm Precipitation- around 50 cm

per yearper year– Temperature- Warm Temperature- Warm

summers and cold harsh summers and cold harsh winterswinters

– Growing season- 50 days to Growing season- 50 days to 6 months6 months

– Soil- poor quality- very acidicSoil- poor quality- very acidic


TaigaTaiga– Species diversity- Low Species Diversity Species diversity- Low Species Diversity

Insects, mammals, birdsInsects, mammals, birds Plants dominated by conifersPlants dominated by conifers

– Threats- Acid rain, disease, and loggingThreats- Acid rain, disease, and logging Low species diversity allows disease to decimate a Low species diversity allows disease to decimate a

forest.forest.

GrasslandsGrasslands

SavannaSavanna– Location- near equatorLocation- near equator


SavannasSavannas– Precipitation- 50 – 125 cm Precipitation- 50 – 125 cm

per yearper year Wet and dry seasonWet and dry season

– Temperature- 25- 30 CTemperature- 25- 30 C– Growing season- during the Growing season- during the

wet seasonwet season– Soil- Rich in moist areas Soil- Rich in moist areas

and poor in very dry regionsand poor in very dry regions


SavannaSavanna– Species Diversity- relatively diverse (less than Species Diversity- relatively diverse (less than

rain and deciduous forest)rain and deciduous forest) Plant adaptations- runners, vertical leaves, thorns, Plant adaptations- runners, vertical leaves, thorns,

drop leaves during the dry seasondrop leaves during the dry season Insects, mammals, birdsInsects, mammals, birds Large migratory grazing herbivores are dominant on Large migratory grazing herbivores are dominant on

the landscape.the landscape.


Temperate GrasslandTemperate Grassland– Location- around 30 N & S latitudeLocation- around 30 N & S latitude

American Prairie, Russian Steppes, Veldt of South American Prairie, Russian Steppes, Veldt of South Africa, and Pampas of South AmericaAfrica, and Pampas of South America


Temperate GrasslandsTemperate Grasslands– Precipitation- 25-75 cm per Precipitation- 25-75 cm per

yearyear– Temperature- Hot summers Temperature- Hot summers

and cold wintersand cold winters– Growing season- During the Growing season- During the

warm summer months warm summer months (latitude will determine the (latitude will determine the length of summer)length of summer)

– Soil- Rich SoilSoil- Rich Soil


Temperate GrasslandsTemperate Grasslands– Species Diversity- moderately diverseSpecies Diversity- moderately diverse

Plants- Plants- – dense sod forming grasses or bunch grassesdense sod forming grasses or bunch grasses– Grasses survive frequent fireGrasses survive frequent fire

Animals-Animals-– Insects, mammals, birds, reptilesInsects, mammals, birds, reptiles– Large migratory grazing animalsLarge migratory grazing animals– Burrowing mammalsBurrowing mammals


Temperate GrasslandTemperate Grassland


Chaparral- Temperate woodland with Chaparral- Temperate woodland with scattered tree communities.scattered tree communities.– Location- Temperate zone near coastal areasLocation- Temperate zone near coastal areas


ChaparralChaparral– Precipitation- around 30-Precipitation- around 30-

35 cm per year35 cm per year Dry summers and wet Dry summers and wet

winterswinters

– Temperature- warm Temperature- warm summers and mild summers and mild winterswinters

– Growing season- year Growing season- year aroundaround

– Soil- poorSoil- poor


ChaparralChaparral– Species DiversitySpecies Diversity

Plants- Plants- – low-lying, evergreen shrubs and treeslow-lying, evergreen shrubs and trees– Leathery leaves retain waterLeathery leaves retain water– Adapted to fireAdapted to fire

AnimalsAnimals– camouflagecamouflage

– Threats-Threats- Human developmentHuman development

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:PB050006.JPG

DesertDesert

High DesertHigh Desert– Location- 30- 60 N & S latitudeLocation- 30- 60 N & S latitude

Hot DesertHot Desert– Location- 0- 30 N & S latitudeLocation- 0- 30 N & S latitude

DesertDesert

DesertDesert

DesertDesert– Precipitation- less Precipitation- less

than 25 cm per yearthan 25 cm per year– Temperature- varies Temperature- varies

(hot days/cold nights)(hot days/cold nights)– Growing season- Growing season-

shortly after rainshortly after rain– Soil- poor (very little Soil- poor (very little

humus)humus)

DesertDesert Species Diversity- Very LowSpecies Diversity- Very Low

– Plant adaptationsPlant adaptations Succulents- thick, fleshy stems and leaves that hold Succulents- thick, fleshy stems and leaves that hold

water.water. Shallow spreading root systemShallow spreading root system Short quick growth cycle when rain is availableShort quick growth cycle when rain is available

– Animal adaptationsAnimal adaptations Thick scaly skin holds waterThick scaly skin holds water Estivating- burrowing during the hottest part of the Estivating- burrowing during the hottest part of the

dayday NocturnalNocturnal Reptiles, Mammals, Birds, insectsReptiles, Mammals, Birds, insects

– Threats- species loss, the amount of desert is Threats- species loss, the amount of desert is increasing word wide.increasing word wide.

TundraTundra

LocationLocation– Northern polar regions (above 60 N latitude)Northern polar regions (above 60 N latitude)

TundraTundra

Precipitation- Less that Precipitation- Less that 25 cm per year (snow)25 cm per year (snow)

Temperature- long cold Temperature- long cold harsh winters and harsh winters and short mild summersshort mild summers

Growing season- Growing season- summer (4 months or summer (4 months or less)less)

Soil- Poor (permafrost)Soil- Poor (permafrost)

TundraTundra

Species Diversity- very lowSpecies Diversity- very low– Plant adaptationsPlant adaptations

Low growingLow growing Shallow roots systemsShallow roots systems Quick reproductive cycleQuick reproductive cycle

– Animal adaptationsAnimal adaptations Migrate or burrow during winterMigrate or burrow during winter Mammals, birds (summer), insects (summer)Mammals, birds (summer), insects (summer)

– ThreatsThreats Habitat loss and pollutionHabitat loss and pollution

TundraTundra

TundraTundra

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Biomes Chapter 6. What is a biome? Biome- large region characterized by a specific type of climate and certain types of organisms. Biome- large region