Biomes, Adaptations and Climatographs

Key Ideas from Last Class... Divisions of Biosphere: Biosphere Biomes Ecosystems 8 Terrestrial Biomes (detail tomorrow) Classification of Biomes by 4 Abiotic Factors:  Temperature and precipitation** (Major one)  Latitudes  Elevation  Ocean Current Biotic Abiotic Affect Temperature and precipitation

Distribution of Biomes Elevation Height of a land mass above sea level Affects temperature and precipitation Temperature changes because the atmosphere becomes thinner at higher elevations and retains less heat Elevation Air Mass ? (Atmosphere) Temperature?

2 Windward Leeward Windward: clouds filled with moisture rise and cool, then release precipitation Leeward: Sheltered from wind, the air warms which allows it to absorb water  creates dry land area Elevation (Wet) (Dry) Temp Precipitation?

Distribution of Biomes Ocean Currents Abiotic factor influencing temperature and precipitation Both BC and New Zealand are part of the temperate rainforest biome  the ocean currents make the climate warmer and wetter than other temperate biomes (Factors affects distributions of Biomes)

Climatographs Climate: the average conditions of the atmosphere (eg. precipitation, temperature, humidity) in a large region Climatograph: A graph of climate data for a specific region  Total monthly precipitation for each month  Average monthly temperature for each month Data usually obtained over 30 years from local weather observation stations

Climatographs Y-axis(R) : Avg. Temp Y- axis (L): Avg. Precip X – axis: Month Compare temperature and precipitation in regions that are in different biomes Red line – Temperature Blue Bars - Precipitation

A B Q1.Which area receives more precipitation ? Q4.Which area and month receives the greatest amount of precipitation? Q5. Which area and month has the coldest temperature? Q3.What is the average temperature of Tofino in October? Q2. What is the average precipitation in Tofino in April?

3 Types of Adaptations **Adaptation: Characteristics allow organisms to survive 1. Structural adaptation (External) - a physical feature that helps an organism survive.  ex. A wolf has large paws to help it  run in snow. 2. Physiological adaptation (Internal) - a physical or chemical event inside the body of an organism that allows it to survive.  ex. A wolf maintains a constant body temperature (endothermic). 3. Behavioural adaptation (behavior) - a behavior that helps an organism to survive. ex. Wolves hunt in packs to capture large prey. deserts.html deserts.html

Analyzing Climatographs Activity Follow the Instructions on Page Textbook Working individually or with your bench partner to complete your Climatograph handout Due at the end of the class!

Conclusion Homework: Page. 15 Reading Check #1-3 Page 19 Reading check #1-4