Earth’s Biomes

Biome is a group of ecosystems with similar climates and organisms. By knowing this information… We are going to complete a Think:Pair:Share Activity

Use these questions to scaffold your learning: What are examples of Biomes? What types of Biomes are you familiar with? What organisms (Plants/Animals) are found there? What is a climate? What is precipitation? What is temperature? How can climate, precipitation, temperature influence a Biome?

Earth’s Biomes In fact, it is mostly the climate conditions, such as temperature and rainfall, in an area that determine its biome.

6 Major Land Biomes 1. Tropical Rain Forest 2. Temperate Deciduous Forest 3. Desert 4. Grassland/Savannah 5. Boreal Forest/Tiaga 6. Tundra Brain Pop: Land Biomes

1:Tropical Rain Forest Biomes Tropical rain forest are located near the equator. The rain forest is warm and humid, in fact it is raining most of the time.

Tropical Rain Forest The tall trees form a leafy roof called a canopy. A second layer of shorter trees and vines form the understory.

Rain Forest Canopy

Rain Forest Understory

Tropical Rain Forest The abundant plant life provides many habitats for animals. The number of insect species in tropical rain forest is not known, but has been estimated to be in the millions. Tropical Rain Forest

Average Rain Fall – Greater than 200 cm of rain a year Plants: Orchids & Bamboo Animals: Monkeys & various insects

2: Temperate Deciduous Forest Biome Many of the trees in this forest are deciduous trees. Deciduous trees shed their leaves and grow new ones each year.

Deciduous Forest in the Fall

Deciduous Forest in the Winter

Temperate Deciduous Forest Deciduous biomes are located primarily in the eastern half of the United States. Guess what biome we live in? The average temperature of the forest is about 50 degrees F. The average amount of rainfall in the forest is is 75 to 150 cm a year.

Temperate Deciduous Forest Animals living within this biome must adjust to cold winters and hot summers.

3: Desert Biome A desert is an area that receives less than 25 centimeters of rain per year. The amount of evaporation in the desert is greater then the amount of precipitation.

Desert Biome Deserts often undergo large shifts in temperature during the course of a day.

Desert Biome The organisms that live in the desert are adapted to the lack of rain and the extreme temperatures.

Desert Biome The Gila monster, for instance, spends much of its time in a cool underground burrow. It may go weeks without coming up to the surface. Desert

Average Rain Fall – Less than 25 cm of rain a year Plants: Cactus, shrubs, and small trees Animals: lizards, snakes & kangaroo rats

4: Grassland/Savannah Biome A grassland receives between 25 and 75 centimeters of rain each year and is typically populated by grasses and other non-woody plants.

Grasslands Grasslands are home to many of the largest animals on earth. Herbivores such as bison, antelopes, zebras, rhinoceros, giraffes and kangaroos. Grassland

Animals in the Grasslands (Herbivores) Bison ZEBRA Rhinoceros

Plants in the Grasslands Grass, wheat, oats and barley

5: Boreal Forest Biome This forest contain coniferous trees that produce seeds in cones and leaves shaped like needles. The boreal forest is sometimes called a taiga. Taiga

Boreal Forest Biome Average Rain Fall – cm of rain Plants: Pines, firs, cedars and other cone bearing trees Animals: Moose, bears, wolves and lynx

6: Tundra Biome A tundra is an extremely cold and dry land biome

Tundra biome Most of the soil in the tundra is frozen all year. The frozen soil is called permafrost. Tundra

Tundra Biome Average Rain Fall – Less than 25cm of rain a year Plants: Lichens & mosses Animals: Arctic fox, polar bears,hawk and snowy owls

Which is your favorite Biome? Why? **Be like this Zebra** Reflect and Share your responses

BrainPop’s on the Biomes of the Earth Brain Pop Land Biomes of the Earth Brain Pop Water (UnderWater) Worlds

Water (Aquatic) Biomes Include marine (saltwater) and freshwater biomes. Make up the largest ecosystem on earth. More than 70% of the earth’s surface is covered by water and more organisms live in water than live on land. Water biomes are typically more stable than land biomes. The temperature varies less because of the ability of water to absorb and hold heat.

Types of Water (Aquatic) Biomes Marine (saltwater) Freshwater

Marine (saltwater) –Marine ecosystems include estuaries, intertidal zones, neritic zones, and the open ocean. –Much of the photosynthesis on earth is carried out by algae near the surface of the oceans and coastal waters. –Light penetrates through water to a depth of 30 meters. Photosynthesis does not occur at greater depths.

Marine Biomes Estuary is found where fresh water of a river meets the saltwater of the ocean. They are good feeding and breeding grounds

Marine Biome (Estuary)

Marine Biome Intertidal Zone is the part of the shore between the highest high- tide line and the lowest low tide line.

Marine Biome (Intertidal)

Marine Biomes Neritic Zone: The edge of a continent extends into the ocean for a short distance, like a shelf. Below the low-tide line is a region of shallow water called the neritic zone (nuh RIT ik), which extends over the continental shelf. Glogster of Neritic Zone

Marine Biome The Open Ocean: The deep zone is located below the surface zone. The deep zone is almost totally dark. Most animals in this zone feed on the remains of organisms that sink down from the surface zone. The deepest parts of the deep zone are home to bizarre-looking animals, such as giant squid whose eyes glow in the dark.

The Deep Ocean: This strange squid at 25 mm long was captured off the south Atlantic Ocean, at a depth of about 2,000 meters. It is known as Promachoteuthis sulcus. Marine Biome

Zones of Marine Biome

Freshwater Biome Less than 3% of the Earth’s water is fresh water. Ponds, Swamps, Lakes, Streams, and Rivers will vary by: –Size –Speed of current ( standing water and moving water) –Temperature –Concentration of dissolved gasses and suspended particles

Freshwater Biome Animals