Biomes, Landscapes, Restoration, Management

Terrestrial Biomes nBnBiomes definition - geographic locations on earth that demonstrate similar climate, topography, soil conditions, and communities

TYPES OF TERRESTRIAL BIOMES Deserts Grasslands (Prairies & Savannas) Tundra Conifer Forests Deciduous & Evergreen Forests Tropical Moist Forests Tropical Seasonal Forests

Climograph of some major Ecosystems

n Deserts 1. precipitation - very little (2-10 cm/yr) 2. temperature - varies greatly (-10 to 40 C) 3. life forms - uniquely suited to harsh environment (conserve water!)

nGnGrasslands: Prairies and Savannas 1. precipitation - moderate ( cm/yr) 2. temperature - varies moderately (-7 to 22 C) 3. life forms - nanabundant grasses and flowering plants (few trees) nvnvery suited to agriculture nwnwolves, deer, elk, bison, antelope (native) *RICH AGRICULTURAL SOIL

nTnTundra 1. features - high mountains and northern & southern latitudes (frozen but not all ice) 2. precipitation - moderate ( cm/yr) 3. temperature - hardly varies (-20 to -4 C) 4. arctic tundra - lower altitude, rough soil 5. alpine tundra - higher altitude, less oxygen

n Conifer Forests 1. features -”cone bearing” trees; thin needles as leaves to preserve water 2. precipitation - moderate ( cm/yr) 3. temperature - varies moderately (-12 to 20 C) n boreal forest - mixed coniferous and deciduous trees (hemlock, spruce, cedar, firs) n taiga - on border of tundra, starts to become sparse with trees n temperate rain forest - Olympia Park in Washington

Broad-Leaved Deciduous & Evergreen Forests 1. features - “deciduous” trees (drop leaves) 2. precipitation - moderate ( cm/yr) 3. temperature - varies moderately (-12 to 20 C) ntntypical trees - oak, maple, birch, beech, elm, ash *RICH AGRICULTURE SOIL

n Tropical Moist Forests 1. features - constant temperature and rain 2. precipitation - heavy (>200 cm/yr) 3. temperature - constant ( C) n cloud forests - high on mountains in tropics n tropical rain forests - lower in altitude; richest diversity of life forms on earth *MOST PRODUCTIVE AND DIVERSE *POOR AGRICULTURE SOIL

nTnTropical Seasonal Forests 1. features - rainy (monsoon) and dry seasons 2. precipitation - heavy ( cm/yr) 3. temperature - constant ( C) nvnvegetation - evergreen and deciduous, giving way the woodlands and savannas

 70% OF THE EARTH’S SURFACE  WATER IS ESSENTIAL TO LIFE  It dissolves nutrients  It distributes and removes substances in & out of cells  It regulates body temperature  It supports structures Aquatic Ecosystems

nFnFreshwater and Saline Ecosystems 1. freshwater ecosystems - rivers, ponds, lakes nvnvertical stratification (light, temp, oxygen) nbnbenthos - community on bottom ntnthermocline - temp gradient going deeper n“n“salty” lakes - land-locked slat water areas

n Estuary & Wetlands: Fresh to Sea 1. estuary - site where river meets ocean n rich in nutrients n great gradient of salt content n delta - broad “fan-like” deposit of soil n wetland - land surface saturated most of year – swamps - wetlands with trees – marshes - wetlands without trees

nSnShoreline and Barrier Islands 1. shoreline - where ocean meets land nvnvaried and rich forms of life nsnsubject to severe erosion during stormy seasons 2. barrier islands- form off the coastline npnprotect shoreline (Atlantic and Gulf coasts) 3. coral reefs - skeletons of “corals” over time nanactual “living islands” for communities to live

LAKES

STREAMS RIVERS ESTUARIES

Human Disturbances nHnHuman Disturbances –o–overuse of terrestrial biomes nanagriculture, slash and burn nonovercutting of forests for wood products nenerosion increase ndndomination by cities and building nNnNAME YOUR OWN EXAMPLES !!!!!!!!!!!!

Landscape Ecology nLnLandscape Ecology 1. defintion- spatial relationships of ecological phenomenon

Restoration Ecology n Restoration Ecology - repair and reconstruction of damaged ecosystems 1. restoration - bring back to former condition 2. rehabilitation - not fully restoring 3. remediation - simply “cleaning up” pollutants 3. reclamation - turning from one use to another

Ecosystem Management nRnRoles Played by Different Groups –g–government (local, state, federal) –a–activist groups (Green Peace, Sierra Club …) –c–citizens –c–corporations