Organisms and Environments Biomes to Organisms Biomes, Ecosystems, Habitats, Microhabitats Organisms, Biodiversity & Human Impact

Vocabulary to remember Habitat—a place where an organism or population of organisms lives. Microhabitat—a small habitat within a larger one in which environmental conditions differ from those in the surrounding area. Organism—any living form of life. To be considered living, an organism must be made of cells, grow and develop, adapt and respond to stimuli. Microorganism—an organism microscopic in size, observable only through a microscope. Ecosystem—a natural unit that includes living and nonliving parts and the place where their interactions occur Biotic Factors- the living factors in an ecosystem. (bacteria, protists, fungi, plants & animals) Abiotic Factors- non living factors in an ecosystem. (sunlight, water, air, temperature) Biome-region characterized by a specific climate and certain types of plant and animal communities. Each biome contains a group of related ecosystems. Biodiversity- the variety of living organisms in a given habitat, ecosystem or b iome.

Major Terrestrial (land) Biomes

Biomes are named differently by different organizations, but six are fairly constant and dependable…..

Temperate Deciduous Forest – Contains deciduous trees that shed their leaves before a dry season. – Average yearly rainfall: cm – Average temperatures: Summer 28*C or 82* F Winter 6*C or 43* F – Animals: Many mammals, birds, reptiles & insects (bears, snakes, and woodpeckers). – Plants: Trees, shrubs, ferns, mosses, and flowering plants.

Coniferous Forest (Boreal forest or taiga) – Contains conifer trees that produce seeds in cones. Conifer trees also have very waxy leaves that allow them to stay green in cold, dry climates. Trees whose leaves stay green all year are also called evergreen trees. – Average yearly rainfall: cm – Average temperature: Summer: 14*C or 57*F Winter: -10*C or 14*F – Animals: Many mammals hibernate through cold winters. Some animals include squirrels, insects, birds, porcupines, elk and moose. – Plants: Evergreen plants and plants that are well-adapted to survive dry, cold climate.

Tropical Rain Forest – Tropical rain forests have more biological diversity than other places on Earth. The soil is usually thin and poor in nutrients because all nutrients are in the plants. – Average yearly rainfall: up to 400 cm – Average daily temperature: Daytime: 34*C or 93*F Nighttime: 20*C or 68*F – Animals: Many mammals (primates), birds, reptiles, amphibians and insects. – Plants: Trees, woody vines, and flowering plants.

Grasslands: Temperate & Savanna Temperate Grasslands – Have few trees because of fire, drought, and grazing. – Average yearly rainfall: cm – Average temperature: Summer: 30*C or 86*F Winter: 0*C or 32*F – Animals: Many small seed-eating animals (prairie dogs, mice, and birds) and some larger grazing mammals (bison). – Plants: Grasses and other flowering plants. Very few trees Savannas – A grassland that has scattered clumps of trees and seasonal rains. – Average yearly rainfall: 150 cm – Average temperature: Dry season: 34*C or 93*F Wet season: 16*C or 61*F – Animals: Savannas contain many large herbivores (elephants, giraffes, zebras and wildebeests). – Plants: Many grasses and some trees.

Deserts – Deserts are very dry and often very hot. Plants and animals that live in deserts are highly adapted to survive in a desert climate. – Average yearly rainfall: less than 25cm – Average temperature: Summer: 38*C or 100*F Winter: 7*C or 45*F – Animals: Small mammals, reptiles and amphibians (jack rabbit, spadefoot toad, and desert tortoise). Most desert animals are active at night. – Plants: Cactuses and other plants with shallow root systems and waxy/fleshy leaves.

Tundra – The tundra is a land biome characterized by very cold temperatures and very little rainfall. – The polar tundra is found near the North and South Poles. Permafrost prevents from trees and deep-rooted plants to grow. – The alpine tundra is found on the top of mountains. The alpine tundra also has permafrost. This would be the part of a mountain where trees cannot grow (tree line). – Average yearly rainfall: 30-50cm – Average temperature: Summer: 12*C or 54*F Winter: -26*C or -15*F – Animals: Mammals, birds, insects (musk oxen, wolves, caribou) – Plants: Shallow-rooted plants (grasses, shrubs)

Ecosystem— a natural unit that includes living and nonliving parts and the place where their interactions occur The Amazon Tropical Rainforest in South America is one ecosystem within the Tropical Rainforest biome. It has many sub- ecosystems and habitats within it.

Habitat —a place where an organism or population of organisms lives. This is typically where an organism finds food and shelter. In the Amazon, organisms that live in the emergent layer do not share the same habitat as those who live on the forest floor.

Microhabitat — a small habitat within a larger one in which environmental conditions differ from those in the surrounding area. This is typically an extremely localized, small- scale environment. Examples include a a tree stump, a dead animal, a fallen log in a forest, a clump of dirt. Microhabitats are often dominated by microorganisms, but not always!

Organism —any living form of life. To be considered living, an organism must be made of cells, grow and develop, adapt and respond to stimuli Cells Metabolism Reproduction Homeostasis Evolve Heredity Respond to Stimuli Growth/Development

Biome to Organism Notes Assignment: Infographic : in·fo·graph·ic ˌinfōˈgrafik/ noun a visual image such as a chart or diagram used to represent information or data. "a good infographic is worth a thousand words" 1. Answer questions for sections 2 and 3 on your SPMS (5 total Questions) 2. Select an organism from the food web on the following slide. – Create an info graphic that identifies: the 8 characteristics it must have in order to be considered an organism its microhabitat, habitat, ecosystem & biome (remember this soil could be anywhere! Just be consistent!)