Ecosystem Balance E5 Land Biomes

Land Biomes The movement of matter and flow of energy are common to all ecosystems But, differences in temperature and rainfall create a vast array of conditions Life has adapted to almost all of these environments. Types of Biomes The ecosystems of Earth can be divided into several broad categories Biome – A major type of ecosystem with distinctive temperature, rainfall, and organism

Land Biomes A biome is the largest category scientists use to classify ecosystems. Because it is so large, conditions in a biome may vary from place to place There are many different ecosystems within a biome with different habitats, conditions, and organisms.

Land Biomes On land, the type of biome in a given area depends on the average temperature and amount of precipitation the area receives In water, the type of biome is determined by water depth, nutrients, and nearness to land Biomes are either terrestrial (on land) or aquatic (in water)

Terrestrial Biomes Earth can be divided into 9 major biomes

Land Biomes Desert and Tundra Biomes Desert and Tundra Biomes Both receive very little water Biomass is the total mass of organic material in an ecosystem Deserts covers 25% of Earth's land surface but contain only 1% of it's biomass. Both support only a small amount of biomass Lack of water makes plant life scarce Two different biomes, but… Limits the amount of organisms it can support

Forest Biomes Forest Biomes - contain 75% of Earth's biomass There are three forest biomes 1. Coniferous Forests Very long, very cold, snowy winters Warm, humid summers Well-defined seasons Four to six frost-free months Locations: Canada, Europe, Asia, and Western United States

Land Biomes 2. Deciduous Forests Cold, snowy winters Warm, humid summers Well-defined seasons Six – eight frost-free months Locations: Eastern United States, Canada, Europe, China, and Japan

Land Biomes 3. Rain Forests Receive abundant precipitation. Covers only 6% of Earth's land surface, but contains more than 50% all biomass. Most diverse biome Locations: Tropical Regions between the Tropic of Cancer and the Tropic of Capricorn

Land Biomes In some parts of the tropics, a rainy season is followed by a dry season Tropical Dry Forest Biomes Tropical Dry Forest Biomes During the dry season, nearly all the trees drop their leaves to conserve water Warm year-round Abundant rain in wet season Long dry season Locations: Africa, South and Central America, Mexico, India, Australia

Land Biomes Precipitation is highly seasonal Woodland and Shrubland Biome Woodland and Shrubland Biome During the dry season, nearly all the trees drop their leaves to conserve water Hot, dry summers Cool, rainy winters. Locations: California, Chile, South Africa, Southwestern Australia, and bordering the Mediterranean Sea. Biome occurs on west-facing edges of continents.

Land Biomes Made up of densely growing, low plants that contain flammable oils. The Chaparral Biomes The Chaparral Biomes Some are woody evergreen shrubs with small, leathery leaves Others are fragrant oily herbs that grow during winter and die in summer. Fire plays an important part in maintaining the ecosystems in this biome

Land Biomes Plants catch fire easily during the dry season Are adapted to recurrent fires Some grow back quickly Others have seeds that must be exposed to fire in order to germinate. Locations: Western parts of United States, South America, Africa, Australia, and Mediterranean

Land Biomes Some land areas cannot easily be classified as belonging to a particular biome. Example: High Mountains Lower temperatures and receive more precipitation than surrounding areas Plants and animals found in mountains can be quite different from those in nearby lowlands.

Section Review Answer the questions in the section review