Chapter 6: Biomes

Chapter 6 Goals Explain what biomes are Explain how biomes are characterized Explain how latitude and altitude affect vegetation

What are the differences? Climate, Biology, Limiting Factors, Adaptations?

Things Change? Fossil evidence suggests that the frozen continent of Antarctica was once covered in temperate forest.

Earth’s Biomes Groups of terrestrial ecosystems that share biotic and abiotic conditions 8 primary biomes: – Tropical Rain Forest – Tropical Savanna – Desert – Temperate Forest – Temperate Grassland – Chaparral – Taiga or Boreal Forest – Tundra – 1 secondary biome: – Polar Ice

Earth’s Biomes Characterized by: Climate Plants adapted to biome size shape color Animals Adapted to biome size color

Climate: Average conditions, including temperature and precipitation, over long periods of time in a given areaClimate: Average conditions, including temperature and precipitation, over long periods of time in a given area Weather: Day-to-day conditions in Earth’s atmosphereWeather: Day-to-day conditions in Earth’s atmosphere Climatographs: Diagrams that summarize an area’s average monthly temperature and precipitationClimatographs: Diagrams that summarize an area’s average monthly temperature and precipitation Each biome has a set of characteristic organisms adapted to its particular climate conditions.Each biome has a set of characteristic organisms adapted to its particular climate conditions.

La Mesa, CA

Philadelphia

Latitude and Altitude Latitude is the distance north or south from the equator – expressed in degrees Altitude is the height of an object above a reference point, such as sea level or the Earth’s surface – expressed in meters or feet

Latitude and Altitude Climate varies with latitude and altitude For example, climate gets colder as latitude and altitude increase. This is why it gets colder as you move further up a mountain.

Latitude and Altitude As latitude and altitude increase, biomes and vegetation change Trees of tropical rainforests usually grow closer to the equator Mosses and lichen of the tundra grow closer to the poles The temperate region includes biomes such as temperate forests and grasslands – usually have moderate temperatures and fertile soil ideal for agriculture

Latitude and Altitude

Across the U.S.

Chapter 6 Summary A biome is a group of terrestrial ecosystems that share biotic and abiotic conditions. Biomes are characterized by temperature, precipitation and type of plants animals. As latitude and altitude increase, biomes and vegetation change.