Land based biomes are global communities of organisms.

Earth has six major land biomes. A biome is a major community of organisms. Biomes are characterized by 3 factors: precipitation, temperature and vegetation.

Tropical rain forest biomes produce lush forests. Source: World Meteorological Organization warm temperature Most abundant precipitation all year

Grassland biomes are where the primary plant life is grass. Rapid City, South Dakota Source: National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration

Grassland biomes are where the primary plant life is grass. Temperate grasslands (Great Plains) are dry and warm during the summer; most precipitation falls as snow. Savannas (Tropical grasslands) are warm through the year, with definite dry and rainy seasons.

Desert biomes are characterized by a very arid climate. Tucson, Arizona Source: National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration Lowest amount of precipitation four types: hot, semi-arid, coastal, and cold

Temperate forest biomes include deciduous forests and rain forests. Temperate deciduous forests have hot summers and cold winters. Deciduous trees are the dominant plant species. Source: National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration Burlington, Vermont

Temperate forest biomes include deciduous forests and rain forests. Temperate deciduous forests have hot summers and cold winters. Deciduous trees (lose leaves during fall) are the dominant plant species. The temperate rain forests have a long wet season and relatively dry summer. Ferns and moss cover the forest floor. 

The taiga biome is located in cooler northern climates. Source: Environment Canada Banff, Canada boreal forest long winters and short summers small amount of precipitation Characterized by evergreens.

The tundra biome is found in the far northern latitudes with long winters. Barrow, Alaska Source: National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration winter lasts 10 months limited precipitation Permafrost (layer of soil permanently frozen.)

Minor biomes, such as chaparral, occur globally on a smaller scale. Chaparral is also known as the Shrubland and Woodland. Found near Mediterranean Sea, South Africa and Australia.

Polar ice caps and mountains are not considered biomes. Polar ice caps have no soil, therefore no plant community. The climate and organisms found on mountains change as the elevation changes.

There are both fresh and saltwater biomes There are both fresh and saltwater biomes. Freshwater ecosystems include moving and standing water. A watershed is a region of land that drains into a body of water. Ecosystems may be different along a river’s course

Rivers Rivers at their starting pts. are usually high in oxygen and cold. Plants and animals adapted to rivers may have ways to anchor themselves and are strong swimmers. Pollution and damming are two major threats to rivers.

Freshwater- wetlands Wetlands are covered in water for at least part of the year. Wetlands help to clean and filter water. Wetlands also help to reduce flooding because they can absorb much water. Threats to wetlands include pollution and filling in for development.

Wetlands - Marshes Marshes are freshwater wetlands that have mostly non-woody plants.

Wetlands – Marshes - Everglades The Everglades in southern Florida are the largest marsh in the US It is been greatly reduced in size due to development.

Wetlands - swamps Swamps are freshwater wetlands that contain woody plants

Fresh Water Zones Freshwater bodies are divided into three zones. littoral zone- zone- shore line. Nutrient rich and diverse. limnetic zone- open water of a body of freshwater benthic zone-little sunlight. Animals live off of decaying matter that falls to the bottom.

All lakes “turn over” periodically. Turn over happens due to changes in density. In both autumn and spring, surface water flows downward and bottom water flows upward. The upwelling brings up nutrients.

Dissolved O2 concentration Lake Overturn Epilimnion Hypolimnion Thermocline Summer Fall overturn 22˚ 20˚ 18˚ 8˚ 6˚ 5˚ 4˚C 0˚ 2˚ 4˚ Winter Spring overturn Dissolved O2 concentration High Medium Low

Salt Water (Marine) Zones Marine bodies have two main zones. Coastal High/Low Tide Line Estuaries-Most productive biome on Earth Nursery of the sea, where the river meets the ocean. Coral Reefs-There are made up of the casing of the animal coral. They are extremely diverse. Pollution is a major threat to coral reefs. Ends with continental shelf. – the portion of the continental plate that lies submerged under the ocean. Usually has a gentle slope Width can vary from a few to ten kilometers

Salt Water (Marine) Zones Marine bodies have two main zones. Open Sea Pelagic- is the area of open water lying over and beyond the continental shelf, while excluding nearshore and estuary areas Bathyal-lies deeper than the continental shelf but shallower than the deep ocean floor Abyssal-the deepest part of the ocean, perpetual darkness. Benthic- bottom/floor of body of water, a thick blanket of mud that consists of fine particles that have settled from the overlying water and accumulated over millions of years.