4.4 Biomes What do you need to know? General characteristics (climate, soil type, plant/animal life) EX: What 2 biomes have the least amount of rainfall?

Organizing your notes 1st set of notes – in your workbook p.59 Biomes # 1 – 6 2nd set of notes – in your notebook Biomes # 7 – 10 So in your workbook…

Here you go, Kylin… Rainforests once covered 14% of the earth's land surface; now they cover a mere 6% and experts estimate that the last remaining rainforests could be consumed in less than 40 years. Nearly HALF of the world's species of plants, animals and microorganisms will be destroyed or severely threatened over the next quarter century due to rainforest deforestation. Experts estimate that we are losing 137 plant, animal and insect species every single day due to rainforest deforestation. That equates to 50,000 species a year. As the rainforest species disappear, so do many possible cures for life-threatening diseases. Currently, 121 prescription drugs sold worldwide come from plant-derived sources. More than 20 percent of the world oxygen is produced in the Amazon Rainforest

TROPICAL RAIN FOREST Climate - hot & humid year round Soil - thin, poor soil Animal life: lots of camouflage Canopy = top Understory = below canopy  Adaptations for climbing, jumping, and/or flight Plants – very abundant; tall trees, vines

Tropical Dry Forest Climate/Soil – warm year-round with alternating wet and dry seasons; rich soil Plant life tall, deciduous (drop their leaves), succulent Animal life undergo estivation (to spend a hot, dry season in an inactive, dormant state) or migration

Temperate Grassland Climate/Soil – warm to hot summers, cold winters; fertile soil - agriculture Animal/Plant life Plants – tall grasses, prairies Animals – Camouflage and burrowing are 2 common protective adaptations

Tundra Climate/Soil: Cold, dark winters and short, soggy summers Permafrost – layer of permanently frozen subsoil Plants: low to the ground Animals: must be able to tolerate harsh conditions

Boreal Forest (Taiga) Climate – long, cold winters; short, mild summers; moderate precipitation Soil – acidic, nutrient-poor Plants – conifers (cone-bearing) Animals – most with extra insulation, some migrate during winter

Desert Climate Plants Animals Low precipitation Short growth cycles Variable temps Soil - Rich in nutrients, but poor in organic materials Plants Short growth cycles Cacti – waxy coating to prevent water-loss Animals Adaptations to regulate body temp if need to lose heat quickly

Now, in your notebook BIOMES 7. Start notes here… See wkbk pg. 59 for biomes 1 – 6 7. Start notes here…

Tropical Grassland/Savanna/ Shrubland Climate More rain than deserts, but less than tropical dry forest Soil Compacted soils, frequent fires Plants Similar to tropical dry forest Animals Lions, zebra, wildebeests Large animal herds

TEMPERATE WOODLAND & SHRUBLAND Climate/soil Hot, dry summers and cool moist winters Nutrient poor soil Chaparral= dominated by shrubs Frequent fires Animals Mainly browsers

Temperate Forest Climate/Soil Plant life Animal life Cold/moderate winters, warm summers Year-round precip Fertile soil Plant life Deciduous trees and conifers Animal life Cope with weather Migrate Hibernate Camouflage

Northwestern Coniferous Forest Climate/soil Mild temperatures, much precip in fall, winter, spring Rocky, acidic soil Plant life Conifers, shrubs, moss Lush vegetation Animal life Adapt to seasons Camouflage Many browsers

Assignment Finish section 4.4 in your workbook You will also have 4.5 (due by Fri) so plan your time accordingly