Terrestrial Marine (LAND) (OCEAN) Biomes Terrestrial Marine (LAND) (OCEAN)

Biomes –A group of ecosystems Determined by CLIMATE

Climate Climate is the overall temperature and precipitation that occurs in an area over time. Microclimate is an area in which the temperature differs inside vs. outside. Example: leaf litter temperature underneath leaves is lower than the temperature on top

Factors that affect climate: 1. Latitude- the horizontal imaginary lines that cover the earth above and below the equator The equator gets the most direct heat from the sun and is therefore the hottest area because of the Earth’s axis b. This is known as differential heating and cooling

This differential heating and cooling also happens on a small scale This differential heating and cooling also happens on a small scale. Differential heating and cooling causes land and sea breezes. Observe an animation of land and sea breezes.

Factors that affect Climate 2. Nearness to bodies of water a. Large bodies of water tend to moderate temperature especially along the coast Example: Ocean City, Maryland is usually a few degrees cooler in the summer and a few degrees warmer in the winter.

Factors that affect Climate Wind patterns a. Most weather systems in the U.S. are driven by the Westerly wind belt b. Western sides of mountains (by the water) usually receive more rain due to the Rainshadow Effect. The opposite side is usually dry or desert-like. animation of rainshadow - Google Search

Factors that affect climate: 4. Mountains a. Temperature drops with elevation. Therefore mountainous areas are usually cooler. Altitude is the distance above sea level… Higher Altitude = Colder Temps

Biomes Earth is covered by many types of ecosystems, which are grouped into larger areas known as biomes. Define Biome: major ecosystem areas on Earth determined by climate Each biome is made up of many habitats.

How are biomes determined? By their type of vegetation. * Plants have particular characteristics, specialized structures, or adaptations that allow the plants to survive in that biome. Plants that grow in an area determine the animals that can live there.

Than the vegetation determines what animals live there!

So, it is important to remember… Climate is the average temperature and precipitation in a period over time in a particular area called a BIOME.

So…. + DETERMINES DETERMINES BIOMES CLIMATE PLANTS ANIMALS

Let’s practice your science skills! Describe this graph. What are the dependent and independent variables?