Biomes, Changes, & Cycles Ms. Edwards

Biomes Biome- a group of land ecosystems with similar climates and organisms Climate (temperature and precipitation) determines biome  

Land Ecosystems and Biomes Climate and Location Animals and Plants Other Characteristics Rain Forest Mostly near the equator LOTS of rain Ferns, flowers, vines Insects, mammals, birds, reptiles LOTS of diversity Canopy- rain forest “roof” Understory- rain forest “floor”

Tropical Rain Forest

Land Ecosystems and Biomes Climate and Location Animals and Plants Other Characteristics Desert Less than 25 cm of rain per year Temp. swings from hot during the day to cooler at night Cacti, gila monsters, tumbleweed Organisms adapted to little water

Desert

Land Ecosystems and Biomes Climate and Location Animals and Plants Other Characteristics Savanna Breezy, some rain but not enough for many trees Grass, shrubs, few small trees, bison, elephants, giraffes Rich soil

Savanna

Land Ecosystems and Biomes Climate and Location Animals and Plants Other Characteristics Deciduous Forest Temps vary throughout the year At least 50 cm of rain per year Variety of plants Oaks, Maples, chipmunks, deer, bear Deciduous- Trees “shed” leaves

Temperate Deciduous Forest

Land Ecosystems and Biomes Climate and Location Animals and Plants Other Characteristics Coniferous Forest Northern latitudes Colder temps Lots of snow Conifers- Trees with needles and cones Squirrels, birds, moose, wolves Also called Taiga or Boreal Forest

Coniferous Forest

Land Ecosystems and Biomes Climate and Location Animals and Plants Other Characteristics Tundra Extremely cold and dry Extremely northern latitudes Mosses, grasses, shrubs, small trees, Musk ox, wolves, hares “Cold desert” Permafrost- soil that is frozen all year

Arctic Tundra

Aquatic Ecosystems and Biomes Climate and Location Animals and Plants Other Characteristics Streams and Rivers Flowing water Trout Organisms that live here have hooks so they can hold on to rocks

River

Aquatic Ecosystems and Biomes Climate and Location Animals and Plants Other Characteristics Estuary Near the ocean, mouths of rivers Abundant life, shrimp, clams, fish Where fresh water meets salt water

Estuary

Aquatic Ecosystems and Biomes Climate and Location Animals and Plants Other Characteristics Intertidal Zone The shore of the ocean sea stars, barnacles, crabs Adapted to survive pounding waves and temp changes

Aquatic Ecosystems and Biomes Climate and Location Animals and Plants Other Characteristics Neritic Zone Shallow ocean zone Fish, coral Photosynthesis occurs here

Aquatic Ecosystems and Biomes Climate and Location Animals and Plants Other Characteristics Open Ocean Zone Deep waters of the ocean Whales, squid Almost completely dark Mountains and Ice- are NOT part of any major biome.

Cycles of Matter Water Cycle- continuous process by which water moves from Earth’s surface to the atmosphere and back. 1. Evaporation- Liquid water is converted to gas 2. Condensation- gas is cooled and turned back into liquid (in the clouds) 3. Precipitation- When water falls back to the Earth from the clouds. - Four types- rain, snow, sleet, hail  

Cycles of Matter Carbon Cycle- All living things contain carbon. - Plants take in carbon from the air and make sugar, consumers eat producers, consumers release carbon dioxide, decomposers break down dead organisms and return carbon to the ecosystem.  

Cycles of Matter Oxygen Cycle- required for MOST living things. Cycle is similar to carbon cycle.  

Cycles of Matter Nitrogen Cycle- Nitrogen moves from the air to the soil, into living things, and back into the air.   - Nitrogen Fixation- process of changing free nitrogen into a usable form. Most nitrogen is “fixed” by bacteria that live in nodules on plant roots (Legumes - beans, peas, peanuts).

Cycles of Matter Human Impact- burning oils and coal releases carbon into the air. We cut down trees that usually remove carbon from the air.  

Biogeography Biogeography- study of where living organisms live.   Continental Drift- continuous movement of the continents on Earth’s plates. - Affects how species are distributed.

Biogeography Dispersal- the movement of organisms from one place to another. 1. By Wind- disperses seeds, spores, tiny spiders, etc 2. By Water- coconuts and leaves 3. By Other Living Things- birds eat berries and release seeds in their wastes. Humans move around the world and take organisms with them.  

Biogeography Exotic Species- an organism that is carried into a new location by people  

Biogeography Limits to Dispersal 1. Physical barriers- water, mountains, deserts 2. Competition- when organisms are new to an area, they must compete with existing species. 3. Climate- the typical weather patterns in an area over a long period of time. Climate differences can limit dispersal.  

Succession Primary Succession- happens where there was no previous life, very slow process (centuries)   - 4 steps in primary succession: 1. volcanic eruption leaves ash and rock 2. Pioneer Species- first to grow, moss and lichens 3. Soil Creation 4. Fertile soil allows plants to mature

Primary Succession

Succession Secondary Succession- happens where there was life before, and thus there is soil, happens faster 4 steps in secondary succession:   1. Abandoned field with grasses 2. Tree growth begins 3. Forest develops 4. Mature community

Secondary Succession