Biomes EQ: How are the Earth’s terrestrial biomes alike and different?
Biomes A biome is a large area characterized by its abiotic and biotic factors Abiotic: climate Biotic: plants and animals. A biome contains related ecosystems Biomes are classified as either terrestrial (land) or aquatic (water)
Abiotic Factors A biome is characterized by its climate, plants and animals Climate is the long-term weather patterns for an area determined by its temperature and precipitation. In biomes where the climate is characterized by high temperatures and high levels of rainfall, you will find abundant life. Example: Rainforest In biomes where the climate is characterized by either low temperatures and/or low amounts of precipitation, life is more scarce. In general, the closer to the equator the biome is, the more life will exist
The Earth’s Terrestrial (Land) Biomes There are seven major terrestrial (land)biomes: Tundra Coniferous Forest/Taiga Desert Grassland/Prairie Grassland/ Savanna Deciduous Forest Rainforest
Tundra Alaska, Northern Canada Long cold winters Cool summers. “Frozen desert” Little plant and animal life. Permafrost
Desert SW United States, Mexico, Africa, Australia, Middle East Little rainfall Extreme temp differences Succulents Nocturnal animals
Prairie/Grasslands Midwest US, Moderate precipitation Wide range of temperatures Windy Flat terrain Covered in grass
Savannas Africa, India, S. America Wet/Dry seasons Wide range of temperatures Deep rooted grasses Hooved animals
Coniferous Forest/Taiga Canada, N.Europe, Asia Long, cold winters Moderate summers Precipitation is mostly snow Conifers
Temperate/Deciduous Forest Eastern US, W. Europe, E. Asia Our biome! Four seasons Moderate temperatures Moderate rain Trees lose leaves
Tropical Rainforest Equatorial regions inches of rain High temps Layers of vegetation Most species! /watch?v=m4bNrIIe0bk& safety_mode=true&persi st_safety_mode=1 /watch?v=m4bNrIIe0bk& safety_mode=true&persi st_safety_mode=1
Aquatic Biomes Water covers ¾ of the Earth, and is home to both the largest and the smallest organisms. There are two types of aquatic biomes: Marine (Ocean) Freshwater (lakes, rivers, streams, etc)
Aquatic Biomes Cover ¾ of the Earth Smallest organisms Largest organisms Marine (Ocean) Freshwater