1 Biomes Section 1.13 Pp 42-44

2 Define Biomes Collection of ecosystems which have similar plants and animals and share common soil type and climate.

3 Define Biogeography The study of distribution of plants and animals. Ecosystems have similar abiotic factors such as temperature, water, soil type, and amount of light.

4 Biomes of Canada Due to its latitude, Canada has four main terrestrial (land) biomes which are described below: 1.The Tundra Biome 2.The Boreal Forest Biome 3.The Temperate Deciduous Forest Biome 4.The Grassland Biome

5 1.The Tundra Biome Communities Rapid-flowering plants Mosses and lichens Ptarmigan Caribou Lemmings Arctic Foxes Wolverines Abiotic Factors Very low temperatures for most of year Short growing season Low precipitation Permafrost Thin, active topsoil Poor soil quality

6 2.The Boreal Forest Biome Communities Coniferous trees: spruce, fir, pine, cedar Shade-loving plants: ferns & mosses Seed-eating birds Squirrels Snowshoe hare, deer Grey wolves Abiotic Factors Harsh climate, warmer than tundra Changeable weather, temperature extremes Acidic soil contains some water Precipitation 40 cm/year or more

7 3.The Temperate Deciduous Forest Biome Communities Deciduous trees: maple Many shrubs, ferns Tree & ground squirrels Many insects & rodents Woodpeckers Deer Black bears Wolves Abiotic Factors Longer growing season than boreal forest Higher temperatures than tundra or boreal Faster decomposition rate, therefore fertile soil Precipitation up to 100cm/year

8 4.The Grassland Biome Communities Grasslands Grasshoppers Bison Voles, mice Snakes Hawks Wolves Abiotic Factors Longer growing season than boreal forest Higher temperatures than tundra or boreal forest Rich, fertile soil Precipitation from cm /year

9 Ecosystems and Abiotic Factors Amount of precipitation… Example: Boreal Forest lots of precipitation, therefore animals like beaver & moose. Climate (temperature)… Varies with latitude and altitude.

10 Ecosystems and Abiotic Factors Soil type…poor soils like permafrost support certain plants and animals. Level of sunlight...Grassland receive more than Boreal forest

11 Terrestrial Biomes Terrestrial (land) biomes are defined by the dominant type of plant life (climax community). The terrestrial biomes include the Tropical Rain Forest, Temperate Deciduous Forest, Deserts, Grasslands, Taiga, and Tundra.

12 Aquatic Biomes There are also two types of aquatic biomes, 1. The marine (saltwater or ocean) biome, and 2. The freshwater biomes (rivers, lakes, ponds, swamps, bogs, etc.).