What are the attributes of each biome What are the attributes of each biome? Do Now: What is the difference between primary and secondary succession? HW: Ecology castle learning

The Major Biomes What abiotic and biotic factors characterize biomes? Biomes are described in terms of abiotic factors like climate and soil type, and biotic factors like plant and animal life. Latitude and the heat transported by winds are two factors that affect global climate. Other factors, among them an area’s proximity to an ocean or mountain range, also influence climate.

Defining Biomes The map shows the locations of the major biomes.

Defining Biomes Each biome is associated with seasonal patterns of temperature and precipitation that can be summarized in a graph called a climate diagram. A climate diagram shows the average temperature and precipitation at a given location during each month of the year. On this climate diagram, temperature is plotted as a red line, and precipitation is shown as vertical blue bars.

Tundra Flora ow shrubs, sedges, reindeer mosses, liverworts, and grasses Temperature -30° F, to 54°F Precipitation 6 to 10 inches Animals: Lemmings, voles, caribou, arctic hares and squirrels, arctic foxes, wolves, and polar bears

Deciduous Forest Temperature varies from -30° C to 30° C. Precipitation (75-150 cm) is distributed evenly Flora oak, hickory, beech, hemlock, maple, basswood, cottonwood, elm, willow, and spring-flowering herbs. Fauna is represented by squirrels, rabbits, skunks, birds, deer, mountain lion, bobcat, timber wolf, fox, and black bear.

Grassland Temperature range is very large Summer temperatures can be well 100 degrees Fahrenheit, winter temperatures can be as low as -40 degrees Fahrenheit Precipitation in the temperate grasslands usually occurs in the late spring and early summer. The annual average is about 50.8 to 88.9 cm (20-35 inches). Fauna include gazelles, zebras, rhinoceroses, wild horses, lions, wolves, prairie dogs, jack rabbits, deer, mice, coyotes, foxes, skunks, badgers, blackbirds, grouses, meadowlarks, quails, sparrows, hawks, owls, snakes, grasshoppers, leafhoppers, and spiders. Flora few trees, flowers, mainly grasses

Tropical Rain Forest Temperature is on average 20-25° C and varies little throughout the year: Precipitation is evenly distributed with annual rainfall exceeding 2000 mm.

Flora is highly diverse Flora is highly diverse. Trees are 25-35 m tall and evergreen, orchids, bromeliads, vines, ferns, mosses, and palms Fauna include numerous birds, bats, small mammals, and insects.

Taiga(coniferous Forest) Temperatures are very low. Precipitation is primarily snow, 40-100 cm annually. Flora consist mostly of cold-tolerant evergreen conifers with needle-like leaves, such as pine, fir, and spruce. Fauna include woodpeckers, hawks, moose, bear, weasel, lynx, fox, wolf, deer, hares, chipmunks, shrews, and bats.

Desert Temperatures range from 20-25 C. The extreme maximum ranges from 43.5-49° C. Minimum temperatures sometimes drop to -18° C. Precipitation very low and/or concentrated in short bursts, averages less than 1.5 cm. to 28 cm a year. Flora cacti, yuccas, ocotillo, turpentine bush, prickly pears, false mesquite, agaves and brittlebush. Fauna nocturnal burrowers and kangaroo rats, insects, arachnids, reptiles and birds.