Biomes Chapter 6 Environmental Science

What is a Biome? Biome Large region with a specific type of climate and certain types of plants and animals (communities) Each biome is made of several ecosystems Biomes are described by the plants that grow in that area This determines what organisms live there These plants have adaptations to live there Size Shape Color

Biomes and Climate Biomes are determined by the plants that live there but one main factor influences them Climate All weather conditions in an area over a long period of time  Temperature  Precipitation  Humidity  Winds

Temperature and Precipitation Most organisms can live within a particular temperature range The amount of water available affects what size organisms live in the biome The hotter and wetter an area is the taller and denser the plants become Figure 3 on page 144

Latitude and Altitude Latitude Distance north or south of the equator Measured in degrees Altitude Height of an object above sea level Climate is affected by both of these As latitude and altitude increases, the colder the climate becomes. Figure 4 on page 145

Assignment Page 145 Section 1 Review # 1-4

Forest Biomes Tropical Rain Forests Located near the equator Temperate Forests North America, Australia, New Zealand Temperate Deciduous Forests North America, Europe, Asia Taiga (Coniferous Forests) Northern Hemisphere just below the Arctic Circle

Tropical Rain Forests Always humid and warm Receive about 200 to 450 inches of rain each year Receive strong sunlight year-round Constant temperature year-round Play a vital role in the nitrogen, oxygen and carbon cycles

Nutrients in Tropical Rain Forests Most nutrients are in plants, not soil Once a plant or animal decomposes, the nutrients go into the soil but are quickly absorbed by plants Some trees support fungi Fungi feeds on dead organisms Fungi transfers the nutrients directly to the tree Nutrients from dead organisms are removed very efficiently Runoff water is almost like distilled water

Layers of the Rain Forest Emergent layer Tallest trees Eagles, bats, monkeys, snakes live here Canopy Upper & Lower Canopy Most animals live here because of fruit & flowers here Epiphytes live here Plants that use a tree surface for a place to live Allows plants to absorbs water and nutrients that runs down the tree after it rains Understory Very little light reaches this layer Trees, shrubs, herbs that like shade grow here

Species Diversity in Rain Forests Most species diversity located here Most animals are specialists Use specific resources in particular ways to avoid competition May have adaptations for capturing prey or escaping predators Example: anteater has long tongue to get insects from cracks where other animals can’t

Threats to the Rain Forests Amount of rain forests on Earth 20% to now 7% Land being cleared for logging, agriculture, searching for oil Habitat destruction Organism is now at risk of disappering Native people are also at danger of disappearing Trading Exotic plants and animals are marketable and very valuable

Temperate Forests Characteristics Large amount of precipitation High humidity Moderate temperatures Only one temperate rain forest in N. America Pacific Northwest (Washington) Trees blanketed with mosses Lush ferns covering the forest floor Tall evergreen trees dominate this forest Spruces, firs, redwoods

Temperate Deciduous Forests Trees drop their leaves each fall More extreme temperatures along with seasons Growing season lasts 4 to 6 months long Moist due to annual rain and snow fall Fallen leaves decompose to add nutrients to the soil

Plants of Temperate Deciduous Forests Tall trees in the canopy Maple, oak, birch Small trees and shrubs in understory More rain and sunlight reach the floor than in the rain forest Plants can handle seasonal changes Underground stems become dormant in winter and grow again in the spring Herb seeds, bulbs, rhizomes

Animals of Temperate Deciduous Forests Animals are adapted to the food that is available Squirrels (nuts, seeds, fruits) Bears (leaves, berries) Birds live in relative safety in the canopy Most migrate Some animals reduce activity during winter Mammals Insects

Taiga Northern coniferous forest Long winters Average temperatures below freezing Forest floor dark, little vegetation Trees have little green except for top Very short growing season As short as 50 days Plant growth during summer is high Constant daylight Large amount of precipitation

Plants of the Taiga Conifer Tree that has seeds in cones Most do not shed needle-shaped leaves Leaves are pointed to help shed snow Leaves make soil acidic when fall to ground Most plants can’t grow in acidic soil Therefore, few plants on taiga floor Soil forms slowly in taiga Slow decomposition of leaves and climate

Animals of the Taiga Lakes and swamps Attract birds in the summer Contain fish, insects, etc. Year-round animals Burrow underground for winter protection Shrews Rodents Moose and rabbits eat any plant they can find Have adaptations to protect them in winter Snowshoe hare – fur color: brown in summer, white in winter

Assignment Page 154 Section 2 Review # 1-3, 5-6

Additional Biomes Biomes with less rainfall than forests Savannas Africa, W. India, N. Australia, S. America Grassland N. America prairies, Russia, Ukraine, S. America Chaparral Coastal areas with Mediterranean climates Deserts Western USA, Africa, central Australia Tundra North of the Arctic Circle

Savannas Located near the equator Contain grasses, scattered trees, shrubs Receive little precipitation through the year Wet season Animals are active during this time Dry season Fires sweep across the grass Restores nutrients to the soil

Plants of the Savanna Since rain only falls during wet season, plants must be able to survive for times without water Large, horizontal roots on trees Help get water during the dry season Help to grow after a fire Grasses Leaves are long and pointed to avoid sunlight Other tree characteristics Lose leaves during dry season Have thorns or sharp leaves

Animals of the Savanna Grazing herbivores Follow the rain to new grass and water holes Example – elephants Predators follow these animals at times Animals give birth during rainy season Animals eat food at different heights Giraffes – leaves in tall trees Rhinos - shrubs

Temperate Grasslands Dominated by grasses Very few trees Hot summers, cold winters Moderate rainfall Most fertile soil of any biome Most of the grasslands have been replaced with farms and grazing areas because of the good soil Heavy rainfall is rare

Plants of Temperate Grasslands Prairie grasses, wildflowers The height of the grasses depends on rainfall Root length also affected Few trees Lack of rainfall Fire Constant winds

Animals of Temperate Grasslands Grazing animals Long flat teeth to chew grass Antelope and bison Burrowing animals Live underground for protection Badgers, prairie dogs, owls Threats to Temperate Grasslands Overgrazing and farming Erosion

Chaparral Temperate woodland biome More broad-leafed evergreen shrubs Fairly dry climate Enough rain falls to support life Warm, dry summers Mild, wet winters

Plants & Animals of the Chaparral Low-lying evergreen shrubs & small trees Plants have: Small leathery leaves that hold water Oils that promote burning Plants are adapted to grow back after fires Animal adaptations Camouflage Shape Coloring Examples – quail, lizards, chipmunks, mule deer Threat to the Chaparral Human development

Deserts Dry climate Less than 25 cm of rain yearly Little or no vegetation Extreme temperatures Hot – Arizona, Sahara Desert Cold – Gobi Desert in China Often located near mountain ranges Mountains block the weather from reaching the desert

Plants of the Desert All plants have adaptations Obtaining water Conserving water Succulents Plants have thick, fleshy stems and leaves Store water and prevents water loss Roots are close to surface to absorb water Some plants can survive without water Plants die and drop seeds in order to go dormant Will sprout again after a rainfall

Animals of the Desert Reptiles Thick scaly skin prevents water loss Amphibians Survive hot summers by estivating Burying themselves in the ground and sleeping during dry season Insects Body covered with armor to keep in water Desert animals are nocturnal Active at night when it is cooler

Tundra Grasses, lichens, herbs Summers are short Only a few cm of soil thaws Under layer of topsoil Permafrost Permanently frozen layer of soil Wet areas form when the topsoil thaws Breeding grounds for insects Many birds will feed on the insects

Vegetation & Animals of the Tundra Mosses and lichens Can grow without soil Short flowering plants Short roots Migratory birds during the summer Caribou Wolves feeding on mice and rabbits Arctic fox Grow white fur in winter for camouflage Fur is well insulated

Threats to the Tundra Food chains are short Easy to disrupt Humans disturb the tundra Oil drilling Pollution from oil transport and leaks

Assignment Page 163 Section 3 Review #1-4, 6

Chapter 6 Review Page #6-19, 24-26, 30, 34-35