Biomes

What is a biome? a large naturally occurring community of flora and fauna occupying a major habitat, e.g., forest or tundra. Usually synonymous with ecosystems.

Types of biomes in WA: In general: Tundra (alpine) Subalpine Taiga Temperate forest Temperate grassland Temperate scrubland Temperate rainforest

Tundra (alpine) Short summer season (8 weeks commonly) No permafrost Lichens, mosses, many huckleberry members, some other small shrubs No trees!

Subalpine ~5000’ or so AKA ‘parkland’ Very biodiverse Some trees (firs) do well here, although their growth may be stunted

Taiga Dominated by conifers Some small-leaved flowering trees can live in warmer areas of this biome (like alder, birches)

Temperate forest Mix of conifers and broad-leaved flowering trees (think big-leaf maple!) Has upper canopy, lower canopy, and understory subzones Ferns (like sword fern) can dominate understory

Temperate rainforest West side of Olympics Ex. Hoh River Rainforest >100” rain per year

Temperate grassland & scrubland: Rainfall <26” per year More rainfall = grassland Less rainfall = scrubland Scrubland dominated by drought-tolerant bushes and plants

Biomes are influenced by climate

Biomes are influence by terrain:

Biomes are influenced by rainfall:

Ecoregions of Washington State

Biomes are influenced by altitude:

Effects of altitude on vegetation and temperature (about 3F decrease for every 1000 ft gain).