Did you ever wonder.... How cacti can

survive the hot climate of the desert?

Thick, waxy coat to prevent the loss of water through transpiration

Biomes Unit 5: BiosphereMs. Thind

Biome Planetary ecosystem that has evolved

under certain climatic conditions Varieties of plant and animal species 8 major biomes Each unique due to temperature and

precipitation differences

Ice cap Regions covered in ice: Greenland,

Antarctica

Tundra Polar regions Climate conditions:

long, cold winters, short summers.

Plant species: mosses, lichens, spring flowers

Plants have adapted to cold conditions by growing close to the ground and remaining dormant

Tundra Animal species: snow

owl, polar bear and during migration periods: caribou and deer

Permafrost layer in soil. Due to summer melt lakes and ponds abundance of insects and mosquitos. brings many bird species during summer months

Threats to the Tundra: Oil and gas development in Alaska Melting of permafrost more

lakes/ponds/more insects disrupting the food chain

Air pollution mosses and lichens dying a vital producer

Coniferous Forest Coniferous evergreen

forests of the northern hemisphere

Climate: winter very cold, warm summers, rainfall mostly in summer, conditions due to lack of ocean influence

Plant species: trees: cedar, fir spruce, hemlock (in areas of high precipitation), pine in drier locations.

Coniferous Forest Layer of decaying evergreen needles

makes soil acidic = limited number of species of plants

Conifers can thrive in top layer of acidic soil

Trees are referred to as: microtherms- able to survive in low temperatures

Animal Species: moose, bears, elk, coyotes, beetles, squirrels, and deer

Temperate Rainforest Coast of Pacific NW Climate conditions: westerly winds bring

moisture from Pacific, ocean influence moderates temperature

Plant species: Coniferous trees, cedar trees (in areas of abundant rainfall), ferns and shrubs, mossy forest floor

Threats to Coniferous and Temperate Rainforests: Clear cutting Urban development

Grassland or Savannas Exist from tropical areas to N and S

temperate regions In areas where rainfall is too low for trees Grasses can reach 10m Tropical grasslands - Climate conditions: 6 months of wet weather, 6 months of dry weather (tropical wet/dry)

- large herds of grazing animals: elephants, zebra, lions

Grassland or Savannas Temperate Grassland: developed in

semi-arid regions: The Prairies Steppe Pampas Veld North America Russia to

China Argentina South Africa

- In rainshadow of the Rockies

- Was home to herds of bison, elk, antelope

- Short grasses

- Supports varieties of grasslands

- Supports several grass varieties

- Large number of herbivores

Threats to Grassland Biomes: Tropical savannas: frequent fires in dry

season, grazing animals at risk from hunters

Human activity: mining, national parks, tourism and urban developments.

Human usage of the savanna biome is increasing degradation of vegetation and soil resource

The prairies: grassland gone due to cultivation

Temperate Deciduous Forest Eastern NA, Great

Lakes area, parts of Western Europe

Climate conditions: cold winters, warm springs, hot summers

Plant species: oak, beech, maple, hickory

Temperate Deciduous Forest Trees lose their leaves as winter

approaches Leaf litter adds nutrients to soil

annually When spring reaches soil is exposed to

the sun and variety of wild flowers grow Animal Species: deer, racoons, coyote,

squirrels, insects, birds

Chaparral, Maquis, or Sclerophyll Found in Mediterranean type climate Climate conditions: hot, dry summers,

mild and wet winter temperatures Plant species: manzanita, mountain

mahogany, scrub oak with thick bark and leathery leaves

Schlerophyll: plant type that has adapted to hot, dry conditions of the Mediterranean

Chaparral, Maquis, or Sclerophyll All schlerophylls

have hard leaves and thorns to prevent water loss through transpiration

Scherophyll forests: small trees, olive, tea and acacia trees

Threats Natural and human induced forest fires

in dry shrub land areas Housing development is increasing the

number of landslides b/c of the removal of chaparral vegetation

Desert and Semi-Desert 1. Hot deserts. Climate conditions: 20-30°

N and S of equator, high temperature all year round, little vegetation.

2. Temperate deserts. Farther from equator, hot summers, mild winters, short cold spell.

3. Cold deserts. Hot summers, cold winters eg: Gobi Desert in the heart of Asia

Desert and Semi Desert Desert biomes have

vegetation that has adapted to dry conditions

Plant species: Xerophyte: drought loving plants

eg: cacti

Animal species: snakes, lizards, hawks, vultures, rabbits, mice

How do plants and animals adapt to dry conditions? Plants have deep roots to tap into to get

moisture deep under the sand Waxy coat on plants limits

transpiration Extensive network of roots to collect

water during short rainfall periods Some animals have thick skin to

minimize moisture loss

Tropical Rainforest Tropical low pressure belt Climate conditions: wet and high

temperatures all year round Plant species: megatherms- plants

that need constant heat, most of the vegetation is called tropical deciduous forest

Lianas: hanging vines

Tropical Rainforest Tall trees create a canopy that blocks

sunlight for shade tolerant plant species below

Trees have shallow root systems because of the abundance of rainfall

Tall trees have buttress roots to give them extra support to compete for sunlight

Tropical Rainforest clear cutting Deforestation degradation of soil soil in rainforest is only rich due to leaf

litter on the ground once trees have been cleared the soil will remain nutrient for a few years burning of forests