Biomes/Terrestrial Biomes www.youtube.com/watch?v=mZm7InA_qWk EQ: What differentiates Earth’s biomes?

Biomes A biome is a large area characterized by its abiotic and biotic factors Abiotic: climate Biotic: plants and animals. A biome contains related ecosystems Biomes are classified as either terrestrial (land) or aquatic (water)

Abiotic Factors A biome is characterized by its climate, plants and animals Climate is the long-term weather patterns for an area determined by its temperature and precipitation. In biomes where the climate is characterized by high temperatures and high levels of rainfall, you will find abundant life. Example: Rainforest In biomes where the climate is characterized by either low temperatures and/or low amounts of precipitation, life is more scarce. Example: Tundra In general, the closer to the equator the biome is, the more life will exist

The Earth’s Terrestrial (Land) Biomes There are seven major terrestrial (land)biomes: Tundra Coniferous Forest/Taiga Desert Grassland/Prairie Grassland/ Savanna Deciduous Forest Rainforest

Tundra Alaska, Northern Canada Long cold winters Cool summers. “Frozen desert” Little plant and animal life. Permafrost

Desert SW United States, Mexico, Africa, Australia, Middle East Little rainfall Extreme temp differences Succulents Nocturnal animals

Prairie/Grasslands Midwest US, Moderate precipitation Wide range of temperatures Windy Flat terrain Covered in grass

Savannas Africa, India, S. America Wet/Dry seasons Wide range of temperatures Deep rooted grasses Hooved animals

Coniferous Forest/Taiga Canada, N.Europe, Asia Long, cold winters Moderate summers Precipitation is mostly snow Conifers

Temperate/Deciduous Forest Eastern US, W. Europe, E. Asia Our biome! Four seasons Moderate temperatures Moderate rain Trees lose leaves

Tropical Rainforest Equatorial regions 70-200 inches of rain High temps Layers of vegetation Most species! http://www.youtube.com /watch?v=m4bNrIIe0bk& safety_mode=true&persi st_safety_mode=1 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m4bNrIIe0bk&safety_mode=true&persist_safety_mode=1

Aquatic Biomes Water covers ¾ of the Earth, and is home to both the largest and the smallest organisms. There are two types of aquatic biomes: Marine (Ocean) Freshwater (lakes, rivers, streams, etc)

EQ: What differentiates the Earth’s biomes? Exploring Biomes EQ: What differentiates the Earth’s biomes?

Overview Purpose: to gather gather information to differentiate between the Earth’s biomes 2 days of in-class work time Needs: Laptop Pencil Exploring Biomes sheet This information may be used as you complete your assignment: A Poem In Two Voices

Procedures Go to my site, and click on LINKS Scroll way, way down, and click on “BIOMES WEQUEST” “Science Spot” Click on “Kids Zone” Black bar at the top, right-hand side Click on “Ecology and Environment” under BIOLOGY Click on “Kids Do Ecology Biomes” under ECOSYSTEMS AND BIOLOGY Scroll down the page to find links for biomes Visit the various sites listed to find information to complete the chart Can’t find the info you need??? You may go to other sites to supplement

Trouble Shooting Not going to Science Spot?? – more than likely you clicked on the wrong link on my site. Scroll down until you see “BIOMES WEBQUEST”, and click on the link provided Temperature highs and lows should be the average WINTER high/low and the average SUMMER high/low Precipitation: average yearly precipitation. Patterns = rain, snow, combination Describe the seasons: Ex: snowy winter, dry summer OR Rainy season/dry season, etc.

Aquatic Biomes Cover ¾ of the Earth Smallest organisms Largest organisms Marine (Ocean) Freshwater