World Biomes

Tropical Rainforest Location: Found near equator… Abiotic Factors: little variation in temperatures. No distinct seasonal changes.

Tropical Rainforest Abiotic factors Less than 1 cm of topsoil (Low nutrients ) About 100 in/yr of rainfall

Bougainvillea  Plants grow in layers (canopy receives most light)  Shallow, wide roots since soil is so thin and poor in nutrients  Little sun reaches the floor, plants must be adapted to low light Tropical Rainforest Plant adaptations Bangul Bamboo

 Many symbiotic relationships, especially competition  Live in different levels of canopy Wagler’s pit viper Silvery Gibbon Slender Loris Tropical Rainforest Animal Adaptations Many animals are specialists and require special habitat components to survive Camouflage is common

Threats to the Tropical Rainforest HHumans strip the rainforests for uses including logging and cattle ranching. IIn addition to the plants and animals that are displaced by this destruction, entire civilizations of people are also without a home. YYou can help by promoting sustainable use of the rainforests’ products

Temperate Deciduous Forests Location:  found in temperate zone (about 48 0 North lat)  Much of the human population lives in this biome

Characterized by 4 seasons Average annual temp: 50° F  Soils: Deep soil layers, rich in nutrients  Precipitation: 30–100 in/yr in all forms (snow, rain, hail, fog, etc.) Temperate Deciduous Forests Abiotic Factors

Deciduous trees lose leaves to prepare for Winter. They become dormant in the Winter. White Birch Birchhttp:// page.htm Lady Fern Geulder Rose Temperate Deciduous forest Plant adaptations

 Grow thicker coat in Winter,lose Winter coat in Summer  Hibernation  Birds migrate to warmer climates during Winter Bald Eagle Fat Dormouse Least Weasel Temperate Deciduous Forest Animal Adaptations

Threats to Temperate Deciduous Forests Deforestation

Taiga aka Northern Coniferous Forest or Boreal Forest Location: Found only in Northern Hemisphere below arctic circle

Taiga Abiotic factors  Winters are long and cold  Averages 100 in/yr precipitation— mostly snow  Soil poor in nutrients and very acidic  Growing season is very short ecosystems_biomes/biomes_northern_forest.html

conifers  Coniferous (needle-bearing) trees are abundant  Roots long to anchor trees  Needles long, thin and waxy to shed snow Taiga Plant adaptations

Moose  Adapt for cold winters  Burrow, hibernate, thick fur coat, layer of fat for insulation, etc. Great Grey Owl Animal Adaptations of the Taiga

Threats to the Taiga Mining operations can irreparably damage this fragile ecosystem. Pollution left behind can also put animals and plants at risk. tm

Savannas (Tropical Grasslands) Contain the greatest number of grazing animals on Earth. Location: Found in the tropics…near equator Amount of precipitation supports tall grasses but only occasional trees. The word savanna stems from an Amerind term for plains

Tropical Savanna Abiotic Factors Rainy and dry season in/yr precipitation Fire plays a large role in this ecosystem during the dry season

Whistling Thorn Umbrella Thorn Acacia Tropical Savanna Plant Adaptations  Large underground root systems, allow plants to re- grow quickly after fire  Resistance to Drought  Many plants have thorns and sharp leaves to protect against predation. Kangaroos Paws Baobab

Adapt for short rainy season—migrate as necessary Limited food leads to vertical feeding Reproduce during rainy season—ensures more young survive Zebras Chacma Baboon Tropical Savanna Animal Adaptations

Threats to the Tropical Savanna  Invasive species  fire management  Because of their low elevation, some savannas are threatened by minor rises in sea level associated with global climate change Koala Elephant

Steppe Dry, cold, grasslands Location: Found in Russia and the Ukraine

Steppe Abiotic Factors <50 in/year precipitation Mountains often play a role in climate characteristics

 most abundant are plants called Bunch grasses, fine bladed grasses that grow in clumps to preserve water Tumbleweed Sweet Vernal Plant adaptations of the Steppe

 Many migrate, hibernate or burrow during extremes in temp and precipitation Adaptations of Steppe Animals Mongolian Gerbil Saiga Antelope Gazelle herd

Threats to the Steppe  Overgrazing…nomadic tribes have started to spend more time in one location,  Infrastructure development (roads, buildings, etc)  Unmanaged hunting and poaching is destroying herds of animals Corsac fox Lynx Milk vetch tm

Prairie  cm/yr  Characteristic high Winds  Temperate climate: Hot summers and Cold Winters

grasses that won’t dry out or blow away in wind. Fleabane Buffalo Grass Prairie Plant Adaptations

Many animals live in underground burrows to shield them from fire and predators. Prairie dog Bobcat animal_page.htm Prairie Animal Adaptations Geoffrey’s cat

Grasslands

Chaparral Location: Primarily in coastal areas with Mediterranean climates. About 30 0 N and S of the equator.

Chaparral—Abiotic Factors  Climate: hot, dry summers, mild, wet winters. Slight variations in seasonal temperatures…NICE! California Chaparral Mediterranean Chaparral biomes.htm

Chaparral—Plant Adaptations Mostly low-lying shrubs and small trees. Many plants have leathery leaves to resist water loss Many plant species have oils in leaves to help them resist fire…the fire will take out “weaker” plants that don’t belong. Blue Oak Fairy Duster

Chaparral—Animal Adaptations Camouflage—to avoid predation Many animals will change their diet as the season changes. Puma Aardwolf

Threats to the Chaparral Human development— very desirable climate for humans to live. Grey Fox King Protea Wild Goat

Desert Ecosystems  Location: Depending on type of desert, you will find them in various locations.

Desert Abiotic factors  Less than 10 in. of precipitation per year.  Temperature range from 32 ° F at night to 100° F during the day.  Little to no topsoil due to high winds.  Minerals not deep in soil.  Too dry for decay While there are many types of deserts, they all share one characteristic: They are the driest places on Earth!

Joshua Tree Desert Plant Adaptations:  Spines to prevent herbivores from eating them  Succulents (cactus) store water  Thick, waxy cuticle to prevent water loss  Shallow, broad roots Cactus  Ocotollio

Desert Animal Adaptations:  Get water from food  Thick outer coat  Burrow during day to stay cool  Large ears to keep cool  Smaller animals Javelina Bob Cat Armadillo Lizard

Threats to the Desert Residential development Off road recreational activities destroy habitat for plants and animals. Some plants are removed by collectors, endangering the population. Sonoran Desert Dry Desert

Tundra Location: Found north of the Arctic Circle, Alpine (tops of very tall mountains),

Tundra Abiotic Factors  Less than 25 in of precipitation /year  Temp rarely higher than 50 0 F  Permafrost layer (frozen soil)  Short growing season

Tundra Plant Adaptations  Growing close to the ground  Having shallow roots to absorb the limited water resources.  Some plants have hairs on their leaves for warmth cottongrass Reindeer lichen

Perennials Lichen and Moss Woody shrubs Heaths Examples of Tundra Plants

Many animals migrate during growing season for food and reproduction Few predators Little Competition Small ears Insulation, thick coat Arctic fox snowy owl Grizzly Bear Tundra Animal Adaptations

Threats to the Tundra One of the most fragile biomes on the planet The tundra is slow to recover from damage. Oil drilling is proposed in Alaska and other areas! Tufted Saxifrage Polar Bear

Freshwater Ecosystems Location: found in various locations within a continent. Additional Facts: Lake are the deepest of fresh water systems Lakes are fed by underground aquifer or stream Ponds are fed by rainfall and may be seasonal

Ponds Abiotic Factors (Ponds): Sun can reach bottom Fed by rainfall May be seasonal Microscopic Animals and Algae

Lakes and ponds—Abiotic Factors Littoral zone: nutrient rich area found close to shore Benthic zone: bottom of the lake where no sunlight can reach.

Plants float or grow along the shoreline to get sunlight Animals are adapted to certain temperature ranges Amphibians burrow in mud when lakes freeze Lakes and ponds: Plants and Animals Adaptations

Threats to lakes and ponds All water systems are being polluted and damaged by humans

Marsh Additional Facts:  Animal/plant homes  Naturally absorbs pollutants  Control flooding by absorbing overflow from rivers Abiotic Factors: Salinity: Brackish water (saltier than freshwater, but not as salty as sea water) Location: On land near a body of water

Marshes Abiotic Factors Very shallow with land occasionally exposed Saturated soil Low oxygen in water and soil Plant Adaptations Emergent plants (rooted in soil, but stems and leaves are above water) Heron Animal Adaptations  Many birds have spear- like beaks for grasping fish and frogs.

Swamp/Bogs

Swamps Location: flat, poorly drained land, often near stream Habitat to many animals Abiotic factors Land soaked because of poor drainage Decay is slow - Soil is acidic Plant adaptations Water tolerant trees and shrubs Adapted to muddy soils Animal Adaptations:  Adapted to wet environments (amphibians)  Many birds have long legs and beaks

Threats to Wetlands and swamps Previous draining and clearing for farmland or development has been a concern. ome/aquatic.html

Rivers Location: Originate from areas of snowmelt in mountains. Abiotic Factors: Headwater (near river origin: cold, highly oxygenated, fast flowing Down stream: warmer, less oxygen, flows more slowly

River: Plant and Animal Adaptations Plant Adaptations:  Near headwaters plants must anchor themselves to rock  Downstream plants root themselves in sediment Animal Adaptations:  Near headwaters: Insects, such as the mayfly nymph, have hooks on legs to anchor themselves.  Near headwaters: Fish, such as trout, must be strong swimmers  Downstream: Fish such as carp are adapted to warmer waters and glide over the bottom of the river

Threats to Rivers Industry uses water to dispose of waste products Runoff from homes and other places causes changes in acidity, pollution, etc. Dams alter the flow of the water

Estuaries Location: Where fresh and salt water meet (where a river flows into an ocean)

Estuaries Abiotic Factors: Mixture of salt and freshwater Nutrient-rich mud Plant Adaptations: Plants are rooted in the nutrient-rich mud Algae float near surface Must be able to tolerate variations in salinity

Animal Adaptations of Estuaries  Because estuaries are have plentiful food sources, many sea animals migrate to have their babies in estuaries  Oysters and clams anchor themselves to mud or grasses  Must be tolerant to variations in salinity &

Threats to Estuaries  Many ports are found on estuaries—pollution pers-erf.org

Coral Reefs: are limestone islands in the sea that are built by coral animals called polyps Location: Warm saltwater, close to the equator Abiotic Factors: Consistent water temperature Shallow water Low in Nutrients

Animal adaptations of the Coral Reef  Coral polyps (found on the outer layer) have stinging tentacles to capture prey.  The parrot fish has teeth designed to scrape algae and corals off reefs to eat Importance: Habitat to thousands of species of plants and animals

Threats to the Coral Reefs Temperature is important, too hot or too cold and the coral polyps can’t live there to create limestone Human intrusion (scuba diving) is damaging if you touch/step on the reef Pollution has been linked to coral reef destruction

Oceans Location : 75% of Earth’s surface

Ocean Abiotic factors mes_aquatic.htm  High salinity (saltwater)  Sunlight penetrates shallow water and the surface layers of open ocean.  Deepest parts of the ocean are dark and lack nutrients

Plants are only found in shallow water or near the surface -floating plants ( kelp shown here ) -phytoplankton (algae) float near the surface Ocean Plant adaptations

Ocean Animal Adaptations  Zooplankton—live near the surface and feed on phytoplankton  Deep ocean animals feed on detritus– dead material that sinks to the bottom.  Many fish have floatation devices that allow them to stay on one level in the water  Ocean animals communicate by light (angler fish) and echolocation (whales and dolphins).

Ocean Additional facts  Most ocean life is concentrated in shallow water and near the surface where light is available.  The deepest parts of the ocean contain very few living things.

Threats to the Oceans While the oceans are vast, they are becoming more polluted by human activity (industrial waste, waste from ships, etc.) Over fishing

Polar Ecosystems Can be considered marine ecosystems since the base of food chain is phytoplankton Location: North and South Pole

Arctic vs. Antarctic Arctic Ocean (N. Pole) Abiotic Factors: Relatively shallow, lots of nutrients for large variety of animals in food web, Additional Facts: Not located on land, it is ocean with iceburgs nmml.afsc.noaa.gov Antarctic (S. pole) Abiotic Factors: Continent covered by permanent ice cap Additional Facts: Penguins live here—only continent not used by humans (exc. Research)

Plant and Animal Adaptations Plants: phytoplankton (algae) floats near surface to absorb sunlight Animals: Layer of blubber, most can swim

Threats to the Polar Ecosystems Reserves of oil draw humans to these fragile ecosystems. newt.phys.unsw.edu.a u