World Biomes and Marine Ecosystems Chapter 32 Elizabeth Pryal

Biomes Terrestrial ecosystem- land-based relationship ◦Organisms and nonliving components ◦Also called biomes  Large terrestrial ecosystems covering wide geographic area ◦Nine major biomes  Classified by temperature and precipitation

Tundra One of the harshest environments Located in the higher latitudes Supports northernmost limits of plant growth Moss, lichen, hardy grasses, and small shrubs 19 percent of Earth’s land surface Northern Canada, Greenland, and Northern Asia

Tundra (continued) Average temperature is 10°F Soil classified as permafrost ◦Frozen throughout the year ◦Top melts, forms small pools liquid water ◦Principal source of water for organisms Long, cold winters below freezing, little sunlight Summer-50°F

Tundra (continued) Considered arid ◦Less than 10 inches precipitation each year Large organisms ◦Musk ox ◦Caribou ◦Arctic fox ◦Polar bear ◦Arctic hare ◦Humans

Coniferous Forests Latitudes next to tundra- coniferous biome ◦Also taiga or boreal forest ◦Higher latitudes below tundra ◦11 percent of Earth’s land surface ◦Long, cold winters and short, hot summers ◦Home to many cone-bearing species  Pine, spruce, and fir

Coniferous Forests (continued) Precipitation 20 inches per year Summer temperatures exceed 60°F Most of winter below freezing Wide variety of animal species ◦Wolves ◦Bears ◦Squirrels ◦Rabbits ◦Moose ◦Hawks ◦Deer ◦Humans

Temperate Forests Adjacent to coniferous forests in middle latitudes Temperatures- forest biome ◦Deciduous forest where trees drop leaves  Maple, birch, ash, hickory, beech, and oak  Annual color change of leaves ◦Long hot summers, cold winters ◦High amount of precipitation, snow and rain

Temperate Forests (continued) Average annual temperature 49°F Most of winter below freezing Temperature- forest covered with snow in winter Summer temperature above 70°F

Grasslands Grassland biome located near middle latitudes Mostly in interior of continents Long, hot summers with periodic droughts During droughts, lighting can cause wildfires Prevents larger plants from growing Vegetation limited to grasses and shrubs

Grasslands (continued) Less than 15 inches of rain/year Support large herds of animals Support much of world’s agriculture Bread basket grasslands of the Midwestern United States

Savannas Savanna biome- large amount of grassy vegetation Known as tropical grassland- found near equator Located in interior of continents- long rainy season Rainfall averages 40 inches ◦Less than 2 inches over a 2-month period

Savannas (continued) Drought period reduces vegetation to: ◦Tall grass, shrubs, and drought- resistant trees Annual temperature fairly constant ◦Average of 77°F Serengeti Plain of Central Africa ◦World’s most exotic animals ◦Lions, giraffes, cheetahs, zebras, and elephants

Deserts Desert biome- one of Earth’s harshest environments Very little rainfall- less than 2 inches Located near interior of continents ◦Many different latitudes Dry climate known as arid climate Cold deserts also exist in higher and middle latitudes

Deserts (continued) Can be located at very high latitudes ◦May be driest place on Earth  Desert in Andes Mountains of South America Desert biome 30 percent of land surface Daytime- 100°F, nighttime- 40°F Wide variety of organism needing little water ◦Cactus and animals such as kangaroo

Tropical Rain Forests Tropical rain Forest biome is the most productive ecosystem Greatest amount of biological diversity Located near equator in tropics High amounts of rainfall 12 hours of sunlight each day Rapid-growth plants supporting variety of animals

Tropical Rain Forests (continued) Rainfall approximately 110 inches/year Maintains stable temperature of 77°F Trees are broad-leafed evergreens Approximately 2 percent of Earth’s land surface ◦Central America, South America, Africa, Southeast Asia Home to more than 70 percent of species on Earth

Chaparral Chaparral biome ◦Warm coastal climate ◦Cool, rainy winters and hot, dry summers ◦Primary vegetation  Shrubs, grasses, and drought-resistant trees ◦Coast of Mediterranean Sea and Southern California ◦Experiences periodic wildfires

Mountains Mountain biome ◦Same attributes as coniferous forest biome and tundra Extreme temperature caused by forest not latitudes Anywhere there are extremely high mountains Coniferous trees at lower altitudes Give way to tundra vegetation higher altitudes Located near equator- high mountain elevations

Coastal Wetlands Oceans cover 71 percent of Earth’s surface Land covered by lakes, rivers, and wetlands Aquatic ecosystems support variety of living organisms Marine ecosystem-within the ocean ◦Classified by location within ocean

Coastal Wetlands (continued) Coastal wetlands-where land meets sea ◦Coastal marine breeding grounds ◦Bays, salt marshes, lagoons, and mudflats ◦Partially covered by saltwater throughout year ◦3 percent of all wetlands

The Neritic and Intertidal Zones Neritic zone-intertidal zone ◦Along the coasts-begins at shoreline ◦Experience high and low tides ◦Organisms Include:  Mussels, hermit crabs, starfish, seaweeds  Sea anemones, algae, and barnacles ◦Harsh because of tides, waves, and tidal forces

Oceanic Zone Second ecosystem in open ocean Starts at a depth of 600 feet Two main life-forms plankton and nekton Plankton-free-floating organisms drift with currents Include microscopic algae called phytoplankton Single-celled Zoo plankton

Oceanic Zone (continued) Nekton ◦Marine organism that move under their own power ◦Include fish, squid, octopus, whales, and dolphins ◦Live at all depths of ocean ◦Some live in ocean and in freshwater

Hydrothermal Vent Communities Extremely deep and dark water of oceans Hydrothermal vent-chimney-like structure spewing hot water ◦Rich in minerals ◦Temperatures more than 600°F ◦Caused by volcanic activity ◦Water seeps into cracks and is superheated

Hydrothermal Vent Communities (continued) First discovered near equator to Pacific Ocean Depth of 8,000 feet in total darkness Large tube worms 3 feet long Large mussels and white crabs Water exceeding 200°F Pressure exceeding 5,000 pounds per square inch

World Biomes and Marine Ecosystems Chapter 32