Terrestrial Biomes Ch 6 SEV2.c: Characterize the components that define a Biome. Abiotic factors-to include precipitation, temperature and soils. Biotic factors- plant and animal adaptations that create success in that biome.

Key terms Biometemperate rain forest Climatetemperate deciduous forest Latitudetaiga Altitudesavanna Tropical rain foresttemperate grassland Emergent layerchaparral Canopydesert Epiphytetundra Understorypermafrost

Remember this??? BIOSPHERE(largest) BIOME ECOSYSTEM COMMUNITY POPULATION ORGANISM (smallest)

What is a biome? A biome is a large region characterized by a specific type of climate and certain types of plant and animal communities.

Why is vegetation important? Plants are a good way to characterize a biome. They need specific adaptations including size, shape, and color to survive specific biomes. Also plants determine what animals will live there. Cactus wrens rely on the cactus for food and nesting purposes.

Climate Climate refers to the weather conditions, such as temperature, precipitation, humidity, and winds in an area over a long period of time. This will determine what plants will grow in a given habitat.

Temperature and Precipitation

Latitude and Altitude Latitude is the distance north or south of the equator and is measured in degrees. (equator to poles) Altitude is the height of an object above sea level. (ocean to mountaintop) Climate gets colder as latitude and altitude increase.

Latitude and Altitude

Tropical Rain Forests Includes the greatest diversity of plants, animals, and other organisms. Located around the equator Receive cm rainfall/year Constant warm temperature throughout the year.

Layers of the rainforest Emergent layer: the top layer consisting of the tallest trees reaching heights of 60 to 70m Canopy: the primary layer, consists of trees more than 30m tall. 95% of sunlight is absorbed in the canopy. Understory: very little light reaches this level. Trees and shrubs adapted to shade grow here. Most get to 3.5m tall.

Threats to the rainforest Tropical rainforests once covered 20% of the earth. Today they cover 7%. Rainforests are cleared for logging, agriculture, animal and plant trading, and oil exploration.

Temperate forests Occurs in North America, Australia, and New Zealand. Large amounts of precipitation, high humidity, moderate temperatures. Evergreens can be 90m tall and are usually covered in moss or lichen,

Temperate Deciduous Forests Includes all of Georgia! Trees (except evergreen) lose their leaves in the fall. Generally found between 30°-50° north latitudes. Temperatures vary widely, from freezing in the winter to 35°C (95F)in the summer Growing season only lasts for four to six months. Contains a canopy and an understory.

Taiga The northern coniferous forest that stretches just below the Arctic Circle. Winters last 6-10 months Temperatures average below freezing to -20°C (-4F) Snowshoe hare Winter coat Summer coat

Savanna A tropical biome dominated by grass, shrubs, and small trees. Has a distinct wet/dry season. The wet season only lasts a couple months. Plants and animals must adapt to survive long periods of drought. Animals such as elephants have adapted a migratory way of life.

Temperate grasslands Covers large areas of the interior of continents. Hot summer, cold winter Moderate rainfall, but too little for trees to grow. Mountains create rain clouds, as a result, to the east of the mountain grasslands are created. Fires are common and the root system of plants has adaptations to prevent burning. Farming and overgrazing are the biggest threats to grasslands.

Chaparral Temperate shrubland biome that is found in all five parts of the world with a Mediterranean climate. Ex. In USA is Southern California. Moderately dry, but gets more rain then a desert and can support more plant life. Coastal climates, little or no rain in the summer. Plants usually have small, leathery leaves to retain water. The leaves also contain oil to prevent burning. The biggest threat is human development.

Deserts Driest places on Earth Widely scattered vegetation and receive very little rain. In a 24 hour period, the temperature can range from 40°C (104F) during the day to below freezing at night. Plants have adaptations to store water and reduce water loss. Reptiles also have thick scaly skin to reduce water loss.

Tundra Located in the northern Arctic region. Contains permafrost: permanently frozen throughout the year. Mosses and lichens can grow without soil and cover the rocks. Millions of migratory birds live in the tundra over the summer. One of the most fragile biomes on the planet. Oil exploration and pollution are big issues