What is a Biome? Objectives Describe the characteristics of biome. – Temperature – Precipitation – Insolation – Flora – Fauna Homework Name and describe one biome. Make sure to include… – Climate – temperature & precipitation – Flora (plant life) – Fauna (animal life

Biome – is a large region characterized by a specific type of climate and certain types of plants and animal communities. Plants are the key to classifying a biome!!! 30  N Tropic of Cancer Equator Tropic of Capricorn 30  S Key Tropical forest Savanna Desert Chaparral Temperate grassland Temperate broadleaf forest Coniferous forest Tundra High mountains Polar ice Figure 50.19

Biomes and Climate Biomes are determined by plant life, but what determines which plants grow there? Main factor is – Climate

Climate: Temperature & Precipitation

Latitude & Altitude Latitude – is the distance North or South of the equator. Altitude – is the height of an object above sea level

Latitude & Altitude affect climate in similar ways!!!

52.3 What Is a Biome? Distribution of biomes depends on climate, but other factors are also important, especially soil fertility and fire. Australian deserts are different from others. Succulent plants are not found there because of frequent fires. The soils are extremely poor, and plant leaves difficult to digest; herbivores eat very little.

Tropical forests are found close to the equator. Tropical rain forests receive constant high amounts of rainfall (200 to 400 cm annually). In tropical dry forests, precipitation is highly seasonal. In both, air temperatures range between 25°C and 29°C year round. Tropical forests are stratified, and competition for light is intense. Animal diversity is higher in tropical forests than in any other terrestrial biome. – Flora – high biomass and diversity – Fauna – sloths, snakes, monkeys, birds, leopards, insects TROPICAL FOREST A tropical rain forest in Borneo Figure 50.20

Deserts occur in a band near 30° north and south latitudes and in the interior of continents. Deserts have low and highly variable rainfall, generally less than 30 cm per year. Temperature varies greatly seasonally and daily. Desert vegetation is usually sparse and includes succulents such as cacti and deeply rooted shrubs. Many desert animals are nocturnal, so they can avoid the heat. Desert organisms display adaptations to allow them to resist or survive desiccation. – Flora – sparse, cacti, drought-resistant plants – Fauna – jackrabbits, owls, lizards, snakes, tortoises Figure DESERT The Sonoran Desert in southern Arizona

Tundra covers large areas of the Arctic, up to 20% of the Earth’s land surface. Alpine tundra is found on high mountaintops at all latitudes, including the tropics. The plant communities in alpine and Arctic tundra are very similar. The Artic tundra winter is long and cold, while the summer is short and mild. The growing season is very short. Tundra vegetation is mostly herbaceous, consisting of a mixture of lichens, mosses, grasses, forbs, and dwarf shrubs and trees. A permanently frozen layer of permafrost prevents water infiltration and restricts root growth. Large grazing musk oxen are resident in Arctic tundra, while caribou and reindeer are migratory. Migratory birds use Arctic tundra extensively during the summer as nesting grounds. Arctic tundra is sparsely settled by humans but has recently become the focus of significant mineral and oil extraction.Flora – few if any, trees, grasses, wildflowers – Fauna – lemmings, arctic foxes, snowy owls, caribou, reindeer TUNDRA Denali National Park, Alaska, in autumn

Temperate broadleaf (deciduous) forests have very cold winters, hot summers, and considerable precipitation. A mature temperate broadleaf forest has distinct vertical layers, including a closed canopy, one or two strata of understory trees, a shrub layer, and an herbaceous layer. The dominant deciduous trees in Northern Hemisphere broadleaf forests drop their leaves and become dormant in winter. In the Northern Hemisphere, many mammals in this biome hibernate in the winter, while many bird species migrate to warmer climates. Humans have logged many temperate broadleaf forests around the world.Flora – deciduous trees that drop their leaves in winter – Fauna – deer, wolves, bear, birds, small mammals TEMPERATE BROADLEAF FOREST Great Smoky Mountains National Park in North Carolina

Temperate grasslands exhibit seasonal drought, occasional fires, and seasonal variation in temperature. Large grazers and burrowing mammals are native to temperate grasslands. Deep fertile soils make temperate grasslands ideal for agriculture, especially for growing grain. Most grassland in North America and Eurasia has been converted to farmland.Flora – grasses – Fauna – prairie dogs, bison, foxes, ferrets, grouse, snakes, lizards Sheyenne National Grassland in North Dakota Figure TEMPERATE GRASSLAND

Coniferous forest, or taiga, is the largest terrestrial biome on Earth. Coniferous forests have long, cold winters and short, wet summers. The conifers that inhabit these forests are adapted for snow and periodic drought. Coniferous forests are home to many birds and mammals. These forests are being logged at a very high rate and old-growth stands of conifers may soon disappear.Flora – wind-blown conifers (evergreens, stunted growth, modified spikes for leaves – Fauna – caribou, wolves, moose, bear, rabbits, lynx Figure Rocky Mountain National Park in Colorado CONIFEROUS FOREST

Savanna is found in equatorial and subequatorial regions. Rainfall is seasonal, averaging 30–50 cm per year. The savanna is warm year-round, averaging 24–29°C with some seasonal variation. Savanna vegetation is grassland with scattered trees. Large herbivorous mammals are common inhabitants. The dominant herbivores are insects, especially termites. Fire is important in maintaining savanna biomes.Flora – low-scattered trees, grasses – Fauna – lions, elephants, wildebeests, antelope Figure SAVANNA A typical savanna in Kenya

Chaparrals have highly seasonal precipitation with mild, wet winters and dry, hot summers. Annual precipitation ranges from 30 to 50 cm. Chaparral is dominated by shrubs and small trees, with a high diversity of grasses and herbs. Plant and animal diversity is high. Adaptations to fire and drought are common.Flora – shrubs, small trees, and grasses – Fauna – amphibians, birds, reptiles, deer CHAPARRAL An area of chaparral in California