Terrestrial Ecosystems Grassland Temperate Forest Rain Forest

Learning Objectives Describe the conditions of each terrestrial biome Explain plant and animal adaptations to each terrestrial biome Compare and contrast plant and animal adaptations across the terrestrial biomes Terrestrial Ecosystems

Terrestrial Biomes

Grassland biome, or prairie, is in middle latitudes in north and south hemispheres – Cold winters – Hot, rainy summers – Occasional droughts can last for several years – Tallgrass prairies are humid and wet – Shortgrass prairies are dry with colder winters Grassland

Grassland plants: – Sparse trees and shrubs along streams and rivers – Predominantly grasses and wildflowers Adaptations of grassland plants: – Underground storage structures to survive after a fire – Growth points below soil surface to survive drought and fire – Long root systems – Go dormant to survive cold winters Grassland

Grassland herbivores: – Grass-eaters like deer and rabbits – Grass-seed eaters like voles and mice Grassland predators: – Birds of prey – Foxes, weasels, coyotes, and snakes Adaptations of grassland animals: – Cryptic coloration allows predators and prey to blend in – Burrowing to protect from predators and cold winters Grassland

Grassland insects use forelimbs to burrow into ground Grassland is monarch butterfly habitat – Larvae eat leaves and adults eat nectar – Central Texas is monarch migration pathway Birds migrate to and from grasslands yearly – Ex) Bobolink nests in northern grasslands and migrates to southern grasslands during winter Grassland

Temperate forest biome is between 30°and 55°north and south latitudes – Four distinct seasons – Plentiful precipitation – Average temperature is 10°C Temperate Forest

Temperate forest plants grow in five zones – Forest canopy zone composed of tall trees – Small-tree zone composed of young and short trees – Shrub zone – Herb zone – Ground zone composed of lichens and mosses Temperate Forest

Adaptations of temperate forest plants: – Broad leaves to absorb as much sunlight as possible – Trees go dormant during winter to minimize water loss Sealed off leaves change colors and drop – Plants in lower zones start growing early in spring to maximize new growth before larger trees block sunlight Temperate Forest

Temperate forest animals use cryptic coloration to blend in Adaptations to survive cold winters: – Hibernate – Gather food in fall and burrow into trees or the ground until spring – Birds migrate to warmer climates – Survive on nuts, acorns, and bark – Herding to preserve body heat Temperate Forests

Rain forest biome is within 10°north and south of the equator – Warm and wet throughout the year – High precipitation causes infertile soil – Mycorrhiza – mutualistic relationship in which fungi inhabit plant roots Fungi trap water and minerals for plant Plant provides food for fungi Rain Forest

Rain forest trees can grow to be 80 m tall – Trees are diverse and grow close together Lianas – woody vines rooted in the ground but climb trees toward sunlight Epiphytes – plants that grow on trees in order to reach sunlight Rain Forest

Adaptations of rain forest plants: – Buttresses at the base of tall trees for stability – Small, pointed leaves on tall trees to minimize water loss and sun damage – Large leaves on understory plants to absorb sunlight – Grooves and drip spouts for rain runoff – Oiling coating for rain runoff – Lianas have hooks to help hold onto trees Rain Forest

Largest group of rain forest animals is insects Adaptations of rain forest animals: – Arboreal – live in trees – Prehensile tails and strong limbs to swing between trees – Long claws to dig bugs out of trees – Nocturnal – Birds have long, strong beaks to release body heat, crush food, and climb trees – Strong feet to grasp tree limbs Rain Forest

Functions of bright colors in the rain forest: – Cryptic coloration to blend in with plants and flowers – Allow male birds to attract females – Used by poisonous animals as a warning to predators – Used to surprise and escape from predators Rain Forest

Terrestrial Biomes BiomeConditionsPlant adaptationsAnimal adaptations GrasslandsDrought Frequent fires Rainy, hot summers Cold winters Underground storage structures Growth points below soil surface Long roots Dormancy Cryptic coloration Burrowing Migration Temperate forest Four distinct seasons Hot summers Cold winters Plentiful precipitation Dormancy Lose leaves in winter Broad leaves Cryptic coloration Hibernation Migration Burrowing Food storage Rain forestWarm Wet Constant temperature and rainfall Buttresses Dry, pointed leaves in top of canopy Grooved leaves Oily coating Large leaves Upward-growing vines Mycorrhizae Long claws Strong legs and arms Prehensile tails Bright colors Nocturnal Arboreal Large beaks