Biomes

What is a biome? Definition: A group of ecosystems that have the same climate and similar dominant communities –Climate = temperature and precipitation The __________ can be broken down into biomes biosphere

Types of Biomes AquaticTerrestrial MarineTundra EstuaryTaiga FreshwaterDesert WetlandsGrassland Temperate Forest Rain Forest Skip to End

Marine Definition: a salty body of water (oceans, seas, some lakes) What abiotic factors are important here? –Temperature, availability of light, depth, salinity, tides What biotic factors are important here?

Marine Biotic Factors Back

Estuary Definition: a coastal body of water, partially surrounded by land, in which freshwater and salt water mix What abiotic factors are important here? –Temperature, run-off, availability of light, depth, salinity, tides What biotic factors are important here?

Estuary Biotic Factors Back

Freshwater Definition: body of water that is not salty What abiotic factors are important here? –Temperature, availability of light, depth, salinity, run-off What biotic factors are important here?

Freshwater Biotic Factors Back

Wetlands Definition: where the land meets the water –Examples: swamps (have trees), marshes (don’t have trees), and bogs (water from rain) –Found in inland and coastal regions What abiotic factors are important here? –Temperature, run-off, precipitation, salinity What biotic factors are important here?

Wetlands Biotic Factors Back

Tundra Definition: treeless land surrounding the north pole with long summer days and short periods of winter sunlight Other Characteristics: –temperatures never above freezing for long –top layer of soil frozen until summer = shallow-rooted plants only –permafrost

Tundra Continued What abiotic factors are important here? –Temperature, sunlight, precipitation What biotic factors are important here? Back

Taiga Definition: south of the tundra; continuous belt of coniferous trees around the north pole –aka Boreal or Northern coniferous forest Other characteristics: –long, severe winters and short, mild summers –Topsoil = decaying coniferous needles; poor in minerals

Taiga Continued What abiotic factors are important here? –Temperature, sunlight, precipitation, fires, logging What biotic factors are important here? Back

Desert Definition: arid region with sparse to almost nonexistent plant life >25 cm of precipitation annually What abiotic factors are important here? –Temperature, precipitation, water supply What biotic factors are important here?

Desert Biotic Factors Back

Grassland Definition: large communities covered with rich soil, grasses, and similar plants Other Characteristics: –Dry season –Insufficient water for forests –Attract herds of grazers aka. Prairie, “Breadbaskets of the world”

Grasslands Continued What abiotic factors are important here? –Precipitation, fertilizers, fires What biotic factors are important here? Back

Temperate Forest Definition: dominated by broad-leaved hardwood trees that lose their foliage annually –aka. Deciduous forests What abiotic factors are important here? –Logging, precipitation, light, water, fire What biotic factors are important here?

Temperate Forest Biotic Factors Back

Rain Forest Definition: identified by extensive amounts of moisture supplied by rainfall or coastal clouds and fog Other characteristics: –Support vast numbers of species –Vertical layering > 200 cm of rain annually Two types: Temperate and tropical

Rain Forest Continued What abiotic factors are important here? –Precipitation, deforestation, sunlight availability –*Conservation efforts* What biotic factors are important here? Back

Ok…So where are these places? Terrestrial Biomes

Biodiversity “Hotspots” (highlighted in red) What trend(s) do you notice about these areas?