2.4 Biomes

Assessment Statements Define the term biome Explain the distribution, structure, and relative productivity of tropical rainforests, deserts, tundra, and any other biome

2.4.1 Define the term biome A collection of ecosystems sharing similar climatic conditions.

2.4.2 Explain the distribution, structure, and relative productivity of tropical rainforests, deserts, tundra, and any other biome Tropical Rainforest Temperature: 26 C Rainfall: Over 2500 mm/yr Insolation (Light Level): High Distribution: Between the tropics of cancer and capricorn Structure: Highly stratified (Emergent, Canopy, Understory, Immature, and Herb layers) Productivity: High

2.4.2 Explain the distribution, structure, and relative productivity of tropical rainforests, deserts, tundra, and any other biome Desert Temperature: 45 C Rainfall: Under 250 mm/yr Insolation (Light Level): High Distribution: 30 o N and S Structure: Little vegetation, organisms highly adapted to low water and fluctuating temperatures Productivity: Very low

2.4.2 Explain the distribution, structure, and relative productivity of tropical rainforests, deserts, tundra, and any other biome Tundra Temperature: Low down to -50 C Rainfall: Low Insolation (Light Level): Low Distribution: High Latitudes Structure: Plants with leathery leaves or underground storage organs, larger animals with fur Productivity: Low

2.4.2 Explain the distribution, structure, and relative productivity of tropical rainforests, deserts, tundra, and any other biome Temperate forest Temperature: cold winters, hot summers Rainfall: mm/yr Insolation (Light Level): varies through year Distribution: 40 to 60 o N Structure: Dominated by one species of tree (evergreen or deciduous) bigger shrub layer due to less dense canopy Productivity: Relatively high

2.4.2 Explain the distribution, structure, and relative productivity of tropical rainforests, deserts, tundra, and any other biome Grasslands Temperature: cold winters, hot summers, fluctuate wildly if removed from the sea Rainfall: mm/yr Insolation (Light Level): varies through year Distribution: Almost every continent 16% of the earth’s surface Structure: Diverse grasses, with a mat of slowly decomposing vegetation Productivity: Relatively low