Ecology/Biomes Notes

Tundra northernmost biome long summer days and short periods of winter sunlight very little rainfall layer of soil underneath topsoil is permanently frozen – called permafrost shallow rooted grasses, small plants/shrubs, lichens soil is not very fertile mosquitoes during summer months, lemmings, weasels, artic foxes, snowshoe hare, snowy owls, hawks, musk oxen, caribou, reindeer

Taiga (Northern Coniferous Forest) below tundra; most of Canada, northern U.S., northern Europe and northern Asia mild summers and harsh winters waterlogged soil since soil thaws out in summer months conifer/evergreen trees such as fir, hemlock, spruce soil is not very fertile lynx, caribou, snowshoe hare, moose, mule deer, grizzlies, owls

Grasslands called prairies in US, Australia, and Canada; called steppes in Russia, Called savannah in Africa; called pampas in Argentina experience a dry season where insufficient water exists to support forests many species of grasses and wildflowers soil rich in humus many use land for farming bison (buffalo), prairie dogs, foxes, ferrets, many species of insects, birds, and reptiles. Savannah animals: giraffes, elephants, lions, hyenas, gazelle

Temperate Forest (Deciduous Forest) Eastern seaboard of US, southeastern US, most of Europe Dominated by broad leaved hardwood trees that lose their foliage annually (oaks, maples, sweet gums) Soil rich in humus Squirrels, mice, rabbits, deer, bears, blue jays

Tropical Rainforest Located near equator Warm temperatures, wet weather, and lush plant growth At least 200 cm of precipitation annually Home to more species of organisms that any other place on Earth Ferns, orchids, palms Soil is not very fertile Sloths, multiple bird species, monkeys, pythons

Aquatic (water) biomes

Marine Water contains salt Seaweed and plankton Sharks, tuna, jellyfish, coral, whales, dolphins, seagulls, sea turtles

Zones of the marine biome: Intertidal – meets the shoreline; very rough environment to live in because of the tides but animals do live here (fish) Photic zone – where most photosynthesis occurs for our planet by phytoplankton; many marine organisms live in this zone. Open sea Aphotic (deep sea) zone - no photosynthesis occurs; very cold and dark; high pressure; strange marine organisms live here

Estuary Mixture of freshwater and saltwater Lagoons, mouths of rivers Ex. MS gulf coast Many marine organisms like shrimp, mollusks, and fish can live here

Freshwater Contains no salt Creeks, rivers, streams Algae, grasses, willows, lily pads Bass, trout, catfish, ducks, geese, water insects, frogs, turtles