The Biosphere

Biosphere = anywhere on or above the surface of the earth where organisms live. -2 parts -Terrestrial -Aquatic Climate = the weather conditions in a particular region.

Biosphere is broken up into different climates

Why are their different climates?  Solar Energy  Topography –(Rain Shadow)  Distance to water body

Rain Shadow

Terrestrial Communities (Biome)  Each community consists of plants, animals, bacteria, etc. that are adapted to living in a certain climate.  Types  Tundra  Coniferous Forest  Deciduous Forest  Tropical Forest  Shrublands  Grasslands  Deserts

Tundra  Found at North and South poles  Only small plants; grass and flowers (spring)  Very few animals live here year around  Most animals migrate here (spring)

Coniferous Forest  Found in Northern Latitudes  Main organism: Conifers

Deciduous Forest  Main organism: Deciduous Trees  Forest has layers; Canopy / Understory Trees / shrubs / moss and lichen

Tropical Forest  Centered around the Equator

Shrubland  aka Chaparral  Subject to fires  Plants are adapted  thick leaves to prevent desiccation  Deep roots to survive fire  Seeds that need fire

Grasslands  Main organism: grass  Rarely trees or shrubs  Aka – Savanna

Deserts  Not that much moisture  Little to no vegetation

Aquatic Communities  Freshwater  Marine  Brackish –mix of both