D2.4 and 2.5 Earth's Biomes and Climatographs

A biome is a large geographical region with a specific climate that the plants and animals that inhabit it are adapted to. Cells and biomes are open systems that exchange matter and energy with their surroundings.

The distribution of Earth’s biomes is affected by the amount of solar energy and precipitation received by different regions.

Tundra

Tundra

Taiga (Boreal Forest)

Taiga (Boreal Forest)

Deciduous Forest

Deciduous Forest

Grassland

Grassland

Rain Forest

Rain Forest

Desert

Desert

Biomes and Climate The climate of each of Earth’s biomes plays a major role in determining the plants and animals that can survive in a region, and the types of adaptations they need. Since climate conditions change gradually, there are no distinct boundaries between biomes. Also, many regions on Earth have characteristics intermediate between two biomes.

Canada's Biomes

A climatograph is a summary of the average temperature and precipitation for each month of the year. Average precipitation is always plotted as a bar graph. Average temperature is always plotted as a line graph.

Climatographs tell us information about what biome a particular region might be in. For example, Manokwari, Indonesia is in a rainforest biome.

Climatographs are often used to compare one region to another. In order to do this, the scale on the vertical axes must be the same on each climatograph.

Factors Affecting Climate Insolation: mostly related to latitude. Has biggest effect on climate. Global Winds: Patterns can determine short term weather and long term patterns. ie: Chicago (The Windy City) Ocean Currents: Direction and temperature of the current have significant effects. The “windy” city

Homework: Read pages 391 – 405 D2.4 Check and Reflect