BIOMES Chapters 6 & 7

Quick Quiz Name two biomes. Pick one of the biomes you chose & describe the climate.

Biomes Are usually DESCRIBED by their vegetation Precipitation is the MAIN factor that determines what type of plants grow in a biome Plants have specific ADAPTATIONS which help them survive in their biome With high temps & low precipitation (like deserts) have short, less dense vegetation

Biomes From North to South Tundra Taiga Grassland Tropical Rainforest

African Savannah Here you are most likely to see large herds of grazing animals such as rhinos, gazelles, & giraffes.

Grasslands Grasslands have the most fertile soil in the world & are suitable for crops such as wheat, corn, & soybeans Receive between 10 & 35 inches of rain per year; not enough to support trees Even though the buffalo population is not as large as it once was, prairies still support them as well as badgers, prairie dogs, & burrowing owls

Grasslands are threatened by soil erosion because native grasses have been damaged or destroyed by plowing or overgrazing

Deserts Are the driest places on Earth getting less than 25 cm (10 in) of rainfall per year. Contain a variety of plant life including cacti & succulents except in the most extreme conditions Many kinds of deserts, including cold deserts, are located throughout the world Are often located on the dry side of mountain ranges

Desert Animals Are small to moderate in size Examples: Gila monsters, rattlesnakes, spiders, elf owls Reptiles have thick scaly skin that prevents water loss Amphibians Estivate – bury themselves underground & sleep through the dry season Nocturnal – mainly active at night or dusk when air is cooler

Tundra Permafrost – a layer of soil that is permanently frozen throughout the year Insects are especially abundant here during the summer season Is one of the most fragile biomes on the planet Simple food chains mean that they are easily disrupted

Tundra Animals Rodents such as lemmings, mice, & hares burrow underground during the winter These animals do not hibernate, but instead are active in their underground winter homes

Tundra Animals Arctic foxes & hares grow white fur in the winter to help them blend with their habitat Caribou migrate in search of food & water

Taiga Stretches across the northern hemisphere just below the arctic circle Consists mostly of coniferous forests consisting of pine, fir, & spruce

Taiga Vegetation Thrives in the acidic soil that is found there Have leaves that retain water due to their needle-like shape & waxy coating. The umbrella-like shape of the trees helps snow roll off them so that branches do not break

Tropical Rain Forests Are Threatened By… Deforestation – cutting down & clearing large areas of forest Legal AND Illegal trade of plants & animals

Tropical Rainforest Vegetation Include trees with above-ground roots called buttresses which increase stability in thin soil

Tropical Rainforest Vegetation Orchids & vines grow on tree trunks rather than from the ground

Tropical Rainforest Vegetation Herbs & ferns with large flat leaves thrive in the understory

Tropical Rainforest Destruction Can result in climate change & flooding

Chaparral Vegetation Survive fires because they can resprout from small amounts of surviving plant tissue

Name the Biome? You are walking through a humid forest that gets abundant rain. However, temperatures are moderate.

Name the Biome? You are walking through a humid forest that gets abundant rain. However, temperatures are moderate. The Pacific Northwest - Temperate Rain Forest

Name the Biome? Forest with the greatest species diversity; located near the equator.

Forest with the greatest species diversity; located near the equator. Name the Biome? Forest with the greatest species diversity; located near the equator. Tropical Rain Forest

What Do Wetlands Do? Decrease runoff Absorb & remove pollutants from water Control flooding Provide animal habitats

What are Estuaries? An estuary is a body of water formed where freshwater from a river meets the saltwater from an ocean Estuaries are important, nutrient-rich ecosystems

What are the Main Threats to Ocean Ecosystems? Nutrient runoff Industrial waste discharges Overfishing Entanglement of marine mammals in trawl nets Sewage Algae blooms

What Factors Determine What Organisms Can Live in a Lake or Pond? Amount of Sunlight Water Temperature Nutrient Levels

Where Does Most Ocean Pollution Come From? Activities that take place on land. In fact, most coastal pollution is the result of industrail waste & sewage.

How do Many Rivers Start? Mountain Snowmelt