Ecological Levels of Organization

Earth’s Biomes Foldable (outside): Map of Biomes Temperate Deciduous Forest Taiga/Coniferous Forest Tropical Rain Forest Grassland (Savanna) Desert Tundra Water Biomes (Marine, Estuary, Freshwater) Map of Biomes Earth’s Biomes

Land (Terrestrial) Biomes – Inside the foldable… Climate: Plants: Animals: Distinguishing characteristics: Illustration of biome. (distinguishes it from other biomes) Fold Temperature Precipitation Examples Adaptations Examples Adaptations

Earth’s Biomes Areas with similar abiotic factors (soil, water & climate) usually have similar biotic factors (plants & animals). Climate – average weather pattern in an area over a long period of time. Precipitation & temperature Biome – a group of ecosystems with similar climates & organisms Contain related ecosystems

Terrestrial or Land Biomes Tundra Taiga / Coniferous (Boreal) Forest Temperate Deciduous Forest Grasslands (Savanna, Steppe, Prairie) Deserts Tropical Rain Forest Temperate Rain Forest

Forest Biomes Often found in areas that have mild temperatures and plenty of rain. 3 types (depends on climate): Temperate deciduous forests Coniferous forests (Taiga) Tropical rain forests

Temperate Deciduous Forests Deciduous – “to fall off” – trees that shed their leaves to save water during the winter or during the dry season Have 4 distinct seasons in a year (fall, winter, spring, summer) Climate: Precipitation – 75 – 125 cm of rain/yr. Average temperature – summer 28˚ C, winter 6 ˚ C Plants: deciduous trees (oaks, maples); ferns; mosses Animals: deer, bears, snakes, woodpeckers, chipmunks, opossums, mice, skunks

Temperate Deciduous Forest

Coniferous Forests aka: Taiga Conifers – trees that produce seeds in cones; needles; aka: evergreen trees Climate: Precipitation - 35 – 75 cm of rain or snow/yr. Average temperature – summer 14˚ C, winter -10˚ C Plants: coniferous trees (Douglas fir, spruce); few large plants Adaptations: Conifers with thick, waxy coverings on leaves = keep them from drying out and protect them from cold winter Animals: squirrels; insects; birds (finches, chickadees, jays); herbivores (porcupines, elk, moose, ); bears; foxes; lynx Migration & hibernation

Taiga/Coniferous Forest

Tropical Rain Forests Have more biological diversity that any other place on Earth Climate: Precipitation – 200 – 600 cm of rain/yr. Average temperature – daytime 34˚ C; nighttime 20˚ C Warmer than temperate rain forests due to location near the equator Plants: ferns, orchids, tall trees Adaptation: low growing plants that don’t need much light Animals: birds (parrots); insects; snakes; frogs; monkeys; lizards canopy – tree tops

Tropical Rain Forests

Temperate Rain Forests Found in New Zealand, southern Chile, & the Pacific Northwest of the U.S. Climate: Precipitation – 200 cm – 400 cm of rainfall/yr. Avg. temperature – 9˚C – 12˚C Plants: trees with needlelike leaves (Douglas fir, cedar, spruce) Animals: black bear; cougar; bobcat; northern spotted owl; amphibians

Temperate Rain Forests

Grasslands Also know as: Found on every continent except Antarctica Steppes (Asia) Prairies (N. America) Savannas (Africa) Pampas (S. America) Found on every continent except Antarctica 2 Types: Temperate Grasslands Savannas

Temperate Grasslands Climate: Precipitation – 25 – 75 cm of rain/yr. Average temperature – summer 30˚C; winter 0˚C Plants: grasses; flowering plants; few trees; crops – wheat, rye, barley, corn Animals: small, seed-eating animals (prairie dogs & mice); large grass-eaters (bison); kangaroos; cattle & sheep

Savannas Climate: Plants: scattered clumps of trees; grasses Precipitation – 50 - 130 cm rain/yr. Average temperature – dry season 34˚C; wet season 16˚C Plants: scattered clumps of trees; grasses Animals: large herbivores (elephants, giraffes, zebras, wildebeests)

Savanna

Grasslands

Deserts Driest biome on Earth Climate: Plants: cacti Precipitation – less than 25 cm of rain/yr. Avg. temperature – summer 38˚C; winter 7˚C Temperature shifts from day to night Ex: Gobi desert in Asia – freezing temperatures in the winter Plants: cacti Adaptations – grow far apart; shallow roots; store water; waxy-coated leaves Animals: toads, tortoises, kangaroo rat, scorpions, few large animals; reptiles Adaptations – nocturnal (active at night); dormant during dry season; store water; big ears

Deserts

Deserts

Tundra Cold, dry region; cold desert Climate: 2 Types: Precipitation – 30 – 50 cm of rain/yr. Avg. temperature – summer 12˚C; winter - 26˚C Slow decomposition due to cold temperatures. 2 Types: Polar tundra Alpine tundra

Polar Tundras Found near the North Pole permafrost – layer of soil that stays frozen all the time; only the surface thaws Plants: shallow-rooted plants (grasses & small shrubs); mosses; lichens; no trees Animals: insects, migratory birds (ducks, geese, shorebirds & songbirds); hawks; owls; arctic hares; musk oxen; wolves; caribou; reindeer

Polar Tundra

Alpine Tundra Top of tall mountains Also has permafrost Found above the “tree line” Gets plenty of sunlight & precipitation

Mountains & Ice Mountains can contain many different biomes. Ice Temperature & precipitation change with elevation Ice Usually fits in with the tundra biome

Mountains

Water Biomes – Inside the foldable… What are three abiotic factors that shape marine ecosystems? Explain each. Describe one abiotic factor that affects freshwater ecosystems. Describe: Streams & Rivers Ponds & Lakes Wetlands Marsh Swamp Define estuary – Why is an estuary a rich habitat for living things? Illustration of Marine Biome (Ocean) Illustration of Freshwater Biome (Pond Water) Illustration of Estuary

Marine Biomes Oceans cover almost ¾ of the Earth’s surface. Abiotic factors that affect marine ecosystems: Water temperature Water depth Amount of sunlight that passes into the water

Marine Biomes Water temperature Decreases as the depth of the water increases Temperatures at the surface zone vary Latitude Time of year

Marine Biomes Water temperature Affects the animals that life in marine ecosystems Adaptations to warm or cold water Migration to warmer areas Impacts whether some animals can eat

Marine Biomes Water depth and sunlight

Estuaries Areas where fresh water from streams and rivers spill into the ocean Fresh water + Salt water Plants and animals must be able to adapt to the changing concentrations of salt. Rich in nutrients Rivers and streams carry silt and nutrient-rich soil

Freshwater Biomes An important abiotic factor that affects freshwater biomes is how quickly water moves. Streams & Rivers Plants line the edges of streams & rivers Fish live in open waters Clams & snails live in mud at the bottom Adaptations to fast moving water Algae & moss are attached to rocks Tadpoles & frogs use suction disks to hold onto rocks Insects live under rocks

Rivers & Streams

Freshwater Biomes Ponds & Lakes Water depth and sunlight are important abiotic factors

Ponds & Lakes Littoral zone Open-water zone Deep-water zone Sunlight reaches the bottom Plants and algae can grow here Small animals – frogs, salamanders, turtles, fish, snakes, snails, insects, clams & worms Open-water zone Top “layer” of water As deep as sunlight can reach Bass, lake trout, other fishes Photosynthetic plankton Deep-water zone No sunlight Catfish, carp, worms, crustaceans, fungi & bacteria Feed on dead organisms that sink from above

Freshwater Biomes Wetlands An area of land that is sometimes underwater or whose soil contains a great deal of moisture Benefits Support many different plants & animals Flood control Replenishing underground water supplies 2 types Marshes Swamps

Marshes Treeless wetland ecosystems where plants grow Often found in shallow areas along the shores of lakes, ponds, rivers & streams Plants Grasses, reeds & wild rice Animals Muskrats, turtles, frogs, birds

Marshes

Swamps Wetland ecosystems in which trees and vines grow Found in low-lying areas and beside slow- moving rivers Plants Willows, bald cypresses, oaks, vines, orchids, water lilies Animals Fishes, snakes, birds

Swamps