Terrestrial Biomes Types of Climax Communities (last stage of succession)
What are the 2 abiotic factors that determine which biome will form? Temperature Precipitation Climate
Desert <25 cm/yr precipitation Temperature varies greatly in 24 hours Average temperature is above freezing
Desert Climatograph
Deserts are located at ~ 30N?S latitudes
Why are most deserts located at 30oN/S latitudes?
Adaptations of Desert Animals Most animals are active at night to avoid the heat Digging burrows allows the animal to avoid heat of the Day. Big ears allow heat to dissipate
Desert Plants Adaptations Plants adapt to dry climates by: Store water (succulents) Spines/Thorns Shallow/deep roots Waxy layer
Human Impact on Deserts Damage by off road vehicles
Irrigation of Crops
Storage of Radioactive waste The Clive Facility in Utah's west desert
Grasslands, Steppes and Prairies
Temperate Grasslands *Warm/cold change of season *drastic temperature change with seasons *<75cm precipitation/year *Precipitation is evenly distributed *plants and animals have adapted to fire
Grassland climatograph
Temperate Grassland Plants The primary types of plant in the grassland are grasses and wild flowers No trees due to the lack of sufficient water.
Animals of the Temperate Grassland
Adaptations of Grass How do grass plants survive a wildfire and grazers? Rhizomes are underground stems They are protected from fire since they are underground. New sprouts from new plants.
Savanna (Tropical Grassland)
Savanna Wet/dry season *Scattered trees with grasses Temperature is warm and constant
Savanna Climatograph
Compare Grassland and Savanna
Animals must adapt their reproductive cycle with the rainy season
Human Impact on Grasslands Conversion to agriculture
Used as Range Land
Human Impacts : Desertification Converting of grasslands to deserts due to overgrazing and poor farming techniques
Forests
Tropical Rainforest Located near the equator equator
>200cm precipitation/year Temperature is warm and constant High species diversity
Tropical Rainforest Climatograph
Emergent layer Canopy Understory layer Forest floor Soil is nutrient poor so bad for farming Little light reaches the floor Most primary productivity (photosynthesis) occurs in the canopy Emergent layer reaches above the canopy Forest floor
Plant Adaptations Grow fast Kudzu vine Grows up to a 1 foot/day!!
Grow tall For support, tree form buttresses
Emergent Layer Most trees are 45-55 meters (80-125ft) Life must adapt to high temperatures and wind Eagles, butterflies and monkeys
Canopy Layer This layer has the highest species diversity Most trees grow to 30-45meters Bats, sloths, macaws, pythons
Understory Layer Receives < 5% of the sunlight Plants have large leaves Typical animals are lizards, jaguar, leopard Plants must pollinate using animals since wind can not help in pollination
Forest Floor < 2% of the sunlight reaches the floor Soil is very nutrient poor Decomposition occurs very quickly Warm temperatures and high moisture content
Warm/cold seasons Trees lose their leaves in winter 175cm precipitation/year
Temperate Deciduous Forest
Adaptation of Plants Trees drop their leaves in winter (oak, maple) Reduces evaporation during winter when liquid water is in short supply
Deciduous Forest Animals
(Coniferous Forest-produce cones) Long snowy winter Short cool summers <75cm precipitation/yr
Taiga Climatograph
Located north of deciduous forest
Adaptation of Plants Leaves are needles = reduces evaporation Needles are wax covered Branches are flexible Trees are triangular Roots are shallow to absorb water when available
Animals of the Taiga Animals will migrate or hibernate to avoid the worst of winter
Human Impact on Forest Clear Cutting-for lumber and farming Increases erosion Decreases species diversity
Tundra (Polar region)
Not just Snow and Ice
Most northern biome <25cm precipitation/year Average temperature below freezing permafrost
Tundra Climatograph
Tundra Plants Grow close to the ground Due to wind and permafrost
Tundra Animals
Human Impacts on Tundra Drilling for Oil