Biomes Ch. 6

What is a Biome? Biome is a large region characterized by a specific type of climate and certain types of plants Biomes and Vegetation: Plants determine the organisms that will live in an area Plants have adaptations that allow them to survive in that area Can include size, shape, and color

Biomes and Climate Climate refers to the weather of an area over a time period of 30 yrs Ex. of weather (Temp, precipitation, wind) This is the main factor that determines which plants grow in a biome

Temp. and Precipitation: Climate is determined by average precip. & temp. Precipitation also limits organisms Large trees not found in desert

Latitude and Altitude These 2 factors also affect climate Ex.) Colder as you go higher in both altitude and latitude

6.2: Forest Biomes Most widespread and diverse Forests exist where there is excess water and nutrients These are needed to support large organism life (trees) 4 types: Rainforest Temperate Forest Temperate Deciduous Forest Taiga

1.) Tropical Rain Forest Located around the equator at 0 degrees Play vital role in oxygen, nitrogen, and carbon cycle Always humid and warm Receive excess moisture Receive sunlight year round Allows large diversity of species 1 hc contains 100 different species (highest out of all biomes) Even with all the diversity nutrients are poor Organisms decay so fast that nutrients leach away quickly

Continued… Layers of the rainforest: 1.) Emergent layer Tallest trees Eagles, bats 2.) Upper Canopy 3.) Lower canopy The canopy absorb 95% of sunlight Most animals in the rainforests live in the canopy 4.) Understory Short plants with large flat leaves

Diversity and Threats: Many animals are specialists Use specific resources to avoid competition Ex.) Collared Anteater-long tongue Ex.) Coastan Rican Mantis-camoflauge However, these are becoming less and less Rainforests once covered 20% of Earth’s surface Today only 7% Every minute 100 acres are cleared Why? 50 million species live in the rainforests Removal of habitat is dangerous…why? Also being threatened by exotic animal trading Pet stores, furs, etc.

2.) Temperate Forests Occur in North America, Australia, New Zealand All have large amounts of precipitation, moderate temps. Large trees can be supported However it does contain 1 rainforest: Pacific NW-only rainforest outside of equator Rarely freezes allowing for large tree growth (Why?)

3.) Temperate Deciduous Forests Trees contain large flat broad leaves Drop these each fall (why?) Located in North America, Asia, Europe, etc. Only 4-6 growing months per year Real hot summer temps./ below freezing winter temps. Large Amounts of precipitation: Helps break down dead organic matter (How?)

Continued… Plants: Plants grow in layers (tall-oak, short-ferns) Forest floor gets much more light allowing for more understory growth Animals: Adapted to use forest plants for food and shelter Squirrels eating nuts Birds taking safety in canopy of trees (very important for animals that do not migrate…why?)

Taiga: Northern Coniferous Forest Across Northern hemisphere just below arctic circle 6-10 months of winter and is bitterly cold Forest floor very cold and little light (no vegetation) Growing season only 50 days (however, large growing periods during these 50 days) Plants: Conifers (gymnosperms)-no fruiting bodies Allows survival of plant (how?) Animals: Birds that feed on fish (Herons) Moose and Wolf/ Lynx and hare

Section 3: Grassland, Desert, Tundra 5 different Biomes: 1.) Savannas: Tropical and Subtropical area Dry seasons and wet seasons Dry seasons lead to many natural grass fires Plants: Deep root systems in plants to help survive dry seasons Some trees lose leaves to help survive dry season Animals: Grazing Herbivores (Antelope, Gazelles) Only give birth during wet season (why?) Many herbivores are at different heights to help prevent competition of food resources

Continued… 2.) Temperate Grasslands: Dominated by grasses and few trees Usually dry with wind Ex.) Hallock, MN Located at interior of continent Plants: Grasses and Wildflowers Animals: Grazers (Bison) 3.) Chaparral: Temperate woodland biome that is dominated by broad-leafed evergreen shrubs Ex.) Hollywood

Continued… Chaparral: Plants: Low-lying evergreen shrubs Contain many oils making them very flammable (reason why California always burns) Animals: Animals rely on camouflage to survive Ex.) Quail, lizards, deer Threats: Human Development Commercial and residential use (why?)

Deserts: Receive less than 25 cm of rain a year Little to no vegetation Plants: Succulents: plants that reserve and hold onto water Ex.) Cactus Animals: Estivation: burying themselves in the ground and surviving through the dry season All the animals have protective adaptations Ex.) Elf Owl Not necessarily hot Some are hot (Sahara) some are cold (Gobi) Often near mountains (why does this produce deserts?)

Tundra: Dominated by grasses, lichens, and herbs Located north of the Arctic circle Short summers, long winters Permafrost: permanently frozen soil Plants: Short vegetation Can’t support large plant life However some have evolved small versions (willows) Animals: Migratory birds breed their in the summer Few large game (wolves, caribou) Threats: Food webs easily disrupted (fragile) Pollution from oil spills have damaged many of these areas