Blue Marble Photograph p. 6

Chapter 1: Biomes & ecosystems are divisions of the biosphere 1.1 Biomes By the end of section 1.1 you should be able to understand the following:  A biome is the largest division of the biosphere.  Large regions within biomes have similar biotic and abiotic components. The interaction of these components determine the characteristics of the biome.  Temperature and precipitation are the most influential abiotic factors on biomes.  Organisms have adaptations for survival in the specific environmental conditions of their biome.

Chapter 1: Biomes & ecosystems are divisions of the biosphere 1.1 Biomes Biomes are regions with similar biotic (living) & abiotic (non-living) components (ex. BC & New Zealand are similar biomes)Biomes are regions with similar biotic (living) & abiotic (non-living) components (ex. BC & New Zealand are similar biomes)

Classification of Biomes Biomes are classified based on many characteristics: water availability, temperature & interactions between biotic & abiotic factors.Biomes are classified based on many characteristics: water availability, temperature & interactions between biotic & abiotic factors. There are 8 biomes on Earth: Boreal forest, desert, grassland, permanent ice, temperate deciduous forest, temperate rainforest, tropical rainforest and tundra.There are 8 biomes on Earth: Boreal forest, desert, grassland, permanent ice, temperate deciduous forest, temperate rainforest, tropical rainforest and tundra.

Distribution of Biomes Temperature & precipitation are 2 of the most important abiotic factors in identifying biomes.Temperature & precipitation are 2 of the most important abiotic factors in identifying biomes. P. 13P. 13

Distribution of Biomes

Latitude influences both temp. & precipitation.Latitude influences both temp. & precipitation.Latitude Latitude Ex. The tropical zone has very warm temp. & high Precip. Because the sun shines straight down & warm air holds more moisture than cooler air. Elevation is the height above sea levelElevation is the height above sea levelElevation Elevation –Higher elevations have less air, & therefore less heat is retained. –Windward sides of mountains are wet, leeward sides are very dry. Ocean currents carry warmth & moisture to coastal areas.Ocean currents carry warmth & moisture to coastal areas. –Where warm currents meet land, temperate biomes are found.  Other identifying factors include:

Climatographs Climate: the average pattern of weather conditions over a period of several years.Climate: the average pattern of weather conditions over a period of several years. –A climatograph shows the average temperature & precipitation for a location over a period of 30+ years. – –Climatographs show the precipitation on the left hand y-axis, temperature on the right hand y-axis time along the x-axis (bottom)

Climatographs

Adaptations & Biomes Biomes are often identified with biotic factors.Biomes are often identified with biotic factors. –Eg. a cactus in the desert, or a caribou on the tundra. Many of these characteristic factors have special adaptations that allow the organisms to better survive & reproduce in that biome.Many of these characteristic factors have special adaptations that allow the organisms to better survive & reproduce in that biome.

Types of adaptations: 1.Structural adaptation - a physical feature that helps an organism survive. ex. A wolf has large paws to help it run in snow. 2.Physiological adaptation - a physical or chemical event inside the body of an organism that allows it to survive. ex. A wolf maintains a constant body temperature. 3. Behavioural adaptation - a behaviour that helps an organism to survive. ex. Wolves hunt in packs to capture large prey. Take the Section 1.1 Quiz