Biomes

Major Biomes Tropical rain forest Tropical rain forest Tropical dry forest Tropical dry forest Savanna Savanna Grassland Grassland Desert Desert Temperate woodland and shrubland aka Chaparral Temperate woodland and shrubland aka Chaparral Temperate forest aka Deciduous Temperate forest aka Deciduous Tundra Tundra Northwest coniferous forest (temperate rain forest) Northwest coniferous forest (temperate rain forest) Taiga (boreal) Taiga (boreal)

Tropical Rain Forest Hot and wet year round Hot and wet year round Nutrient poor soil Nutrient poor soil Near equator Near equator Dense canopy Dense canopy

Tropical Dry Forest Seasonal rainfall wet/dry season Seasonal rainfall wet/dry season Generally warm year round Generally warm year round Dense canopy Dense canopy Plants drop leaves during a particular season Plants drop leaves during a particular season

Savanna Seasonal rainfall Seasonal rainfall Warm Warm Compact soil Compact soil Grasses Grasses Occasional fire and drought Occasional fire and drought Large herbivores Large herbivores

Desert Low precipitation less than 25cm Low precipitation less than 25cm Variable temperatures Variable temperatures Cold and hot Cold and hot

Temperate Grassland Grasses Grasses Fertile soils Fertile soils Periodic fires Periodic fires Large herbivores Large herbivores

Temperate Woodland & Shrubland (Chaparral) Shrubs, grasses, wildflowers Shrubs, grasses, wildflowers Periodic fires Periodic fires Hot dry summers, cool wet winters Hot dry summers, cool wet winters Nutrient-poor soils Nutrient-poor soils

Temperate Forests Broadleaf deciduous and coniferous trees (seed bearing cones & needle shaped leaves) Broadleaf deciduous and coniferous trees (seed bearing cones & needle shaped leaves) Rich in humus (formed from decaying leaves and other organic matter) Rich in humus (formed from decaying leaves and other organic matter) Fertile soils Fertile soils Year round precip Year round precip midlattitude midlattitude

NW Coniferous forest Mild temp, moist air Mild temp, moist air Abundant rainfall Abundant rainfall Aka Temperate rainforest Aka Temperate rainforest Lush vegetation Lush vegetation Conifers Conifers Rocky acidic soils Rocky acidic soils

Boreal Forest Aka taiga Aka taiga Cold winters Cold winters Mild summers Mild summers Mostly in northern hemisphere Mostly in northern hemisphere Mostly conifers Mostly conifers

Tundra Permafrost (layer of permanently frozen soil) Permafrost (layer of permanently frozen soil) Soil thaws only a few cm in short summer Soil thaws only a few cm in short summer Plants small and stunted Plants small and stunted Cold temps Cold temps High winds High winds Short growing season Short growing season Little precip Little precip

Climate Weather: day to day at a particular place and time Weather: day to day at a particular place and time Climate: average conditions of temperature and precipitation in a particular region Climate: average conditions of temperature and precipitation in a particular region –Caused by trapping of heat –Latitude –Transport of heat by winds and ocean currents –Shape and elevation of mountains

Greenhouse Effect Carbon dioxide, methane, water vapor trap heat energy and maintain Earth’s temperature range. Carbon dioxide, methane, water vapor trap heat energy and maintain Earth’s temperature range. Natural situation w/o gases earth would be 30 °C colder- yikes Natural situation w/o gases earth would be 30 °C colder- yikes

Effect of Latitude on Climate Three main climate zones Three main climate zones –Polar Sun’s rays strike at a very low angle Sun’s rays strike at a very low angle

Effect of Latitude on Climate Three main climate zones Three main climate zones –Polar Sun’s rays strike at a very low angle Sun’s rays strike at a very low angle –Temperate Between polar and tropical Between polar and tropical

Effect of Latitude on Climate Three main climate zones Three main climate zones –Polar Sun’s rays strike at a very low angle Sun’s rays strike at a very low angle –Temperate Between polar and tropical Between polar and tropical –Tropical Near the equator between 23.5° N and 23.5° S Near the equator between 23.5° N and 23.5° S Direct or nearly direct sunlight year round Direct or nearly direct sunlight year round

Heat Transport Unequal heating of Earth’s surface drives winds and ocean currents Unequal heating of Earth’s surface drives winds and ocean currents Warm air rises and cool air sinks causing winds to form Warm air rises and cool air sinks causing winds to form

Coriolis Effect In the northern hemisphere deflects to the right In the northern hemisphere deflects to the right Opposite in southern Opposite in southern Result of earth’s rotation Result of earth’s rotation

Ocean Currents

Rain Shadow caused by mountains caused by mountains As air rises, it cools and condenses causing moisture and rain. As air rises, it cools and condenses causing moisture and rain. Cool, dry, air sinks and warms up on the leeward side Cool, dry, air sinks and warms up on the leeward side

Rain Shadow

Upwelling transport of colder deeper water to more shallow water. transport of colder deeper water to more shallow water. Brings nutrients to surface Brings nutrients to surface

Land and Sea Breezes Sea breeze: During the day, the land gets hotter faster, and the hot air rises, creating an area of lower pressure. Wind blows from the sea to the land. Sea breeze: During the day, the land gets hotter faster, and the hot air rises, creating an area of lower pressure. Wind blows from the sea to the land.

Land and Sea Breezes Sea breeze: During the day, the land gets hotter faster, and the hot air rises, creating an area of lower pressure. Wind blows from the sea to the land. Sea breeze: During the day, the land gets hotter faster, and the hot air rises, creating an area of lower pressure. Wind blows from the sea to the land. Land breeze: At night, the land cools off faster than the sea. Cooler air descends creating an area of higher pressure. Wind blows from the land to the sea. Land breeze: At night, the land cools off faster than the sea. Cooler air descends creating an area of higher pressure. Wind blows from the land to the sea.