Climate and Terrestrial Biodiversity Chapter 7 pgs. 145-159 Climate and Terrestrial Biodiversity

Chapter Overview Questions What are the major types of desert biomes? What are the major types of grassland biomes? What are the major types of forest and mountain biomes? How have human activities affected the world’s desert, grassland, forest, and mountain biomes?

Tropical Rain Forest Filling such niches enables species to avoid or minimize competition and coexist Figure 5-21

Emergent layer Harpy eagle Toco toucan Canopy Height (meters) Understory Woolly opossum Figure 5.21 Natural capital: stratification of specialized plant and animal niches in a tropical rain forest. Filling such specialized niches enables species to avoid or minimize competition for resources and results in the coexistence of a great variety of species. Shrub layer Brazilian tapir Ground layer Black-crowned antipitta Fig. 5-21, p. 118

Temperate Deciduous Forest Most of the trees survive winter by dropping their leaves, which decay and produce a nutrient-rich soil. Figure 5-22

Primary to secondary consumer Secondary to higher-level consumer Broad-winged hawk Hairy Woodpecker Gray Squirrel White oak White-footed mouse Metallic wood-boring beetle and Larvae White-tailed deer Mountain Winterberry Shagbark hickory Figure 5.22 Natural capital: some components and interactions in a temperate deciduous forest ecosystem. When these organisms die, decomposers break down their organic matter into minerals that plants use. Colored arrows indicate transfers of matter and energy between producers, primary consumers (herbivores), secondary or higher-level consumers (carnivores), and decomposers. Organisms are not drawn to scale. May beetle Racer Long-tailed weasel Fungi Bacteria Wood frog Producer to primary consumer Primary to secondary consumer Secondary to higher-level consumer All producers and consumers to decomposers Fig. 5-22, p. 120

Evergreen Coniferous Forests Consist mostly of cone-bearing evergreen trees that keep their needles year-round to help the trees survive long and cold winters. Figure 5-23

Primary to secondary consumer Secondary to higher-level consumer Blue jay Great horned owl Marten Balsam fir Moose White Spruce Wolf Bebb willow Pine sawyer beetle and larvae Snowshoe hare Figure 5.23 Natural capital: some components and interactions in an evergreen coniferous (boreal or taiga) forest ecosystem. When these organisms die, decomposers break down their organic matter into minerals that plants use. Colored arrows indicate transfers of matter and energy between producers, primary consumers (herbivores), secondary or higher-level consumers (carnivores), and decomposers. Organisms are not drawn to scale. Fungi Starflower Bunchberry Bacteria Producer to primary consumer Primary to secondary consumer Secondary to higher-level consumer All producers and consumers to decomposers Fig. 5-23, p. 121

Temperate Rain Forests Coastal areas support huge cone-bearing evergreen trees such as redwoods and Douglas fir in a cool moist environment. Figure 5-24

MOUNTAIN BIOMES High-elevation islands of biodiversity Often have snow-covered peaks that reflect solar radiation and gradually release water to lower-elevation streams and ecosystems. Figure 5-25

HUMAN IMPACTS ON TERRESTRIAL BIOMES Human activities have damaged or disturbed more than half of the world’s terrestrial ecosystems. Humans have had a number of specific harmful effects on the world’s deserts, grasslands, forests, and mountains.

Natural Capital Degradation Desert Large desert cities Soil destruction by off-road vehicles Soil salinization from irrigation Figure 5.26 Natural capital degradation: major human impacts on the world’s deserts. QUESTION: What are three direct and three indirect harmful effects of your lifestyle on deserts? Depletion of groundwater Land disturbance and pollution from mineral extraction Fig. 5-26, p. 123

Natural Capital Degradation Grasslands Conversion to cropland Release of CO2 to atmosphere from grassland burning Overgrazing by livestock Figure 5.27 Natural capital degradation: major human impacts on the world’s grasslands. Some 70% of Brazil’s tropical savanna—once the size of the Amazon—has been cleared and converted to the world’s biggest grain growing area. QUESTION: What are three direct and three indirect harmful effects of your lifestyle on grasslands? Oil production and off-road vehicles in arctic tundra Fig. 5-27, p. 123

Natural Capital Degradation Forests Clearing for agriculture, livestock grazing, timber, and urban development Conversion of diverse forests to tree plantations Damage from off-road vehicles Figure 5.28 Natural capital degradation: major human impacts on the world’s forests. QUESTION: What are three direct and three indirect effects of your lifestyle on forests? Pollution of forest streams Fig. 5-28, p. 124

Natural Capital Degradation Mountains Agriculture Timber extraction Mineral extraction Hydroelectric dams and reservoirs Increasing tourism Urban air pollution Figure 5.29 Natural capital degradation: major human impacts on the world’s mountains. QUESTION: What are three direct and three indirect harmful effects of your lifestyle on mountains? Increased ultraviolet radiation from ozone depletion Soil damage from off-road vehicles Fig. 5-29, p. 124