1. Biology, 9th ed, Sylvia Mader
Chapter 49
Chapter 49
The Biosphere
The Biosphere

2. Outline Climate and the Biosphere Terrestrial Ecosystems
Solar Radiation
Global Wind Circulation
Terrestrial Ecosystems
Tundra
Forests
Shrublands
Grasslands
Deserts
Aquatic Ecosystems
Life Zones
Lakes
Estuaries
Seashores
Oceans

3. Climate and the Biosphere
Prevailing weather conditions in a region
Determined primarily by temperature and precipitation
Influenced by a multitude of factors including latitude, tilt of the earth’s axis, and topography
Effects of solar radiation
Spherical earth
Rotation and path of the earth around the sun

4. Distribution of Solar Energy

5. Global Wind Circulation

6. Consider a coastal mountain range
Rain Shadow
Consider a coastal mountain range
Windward side of the mountain
Winds rise
Release moisture
Leeward side
Dry winds subside
Evaporates existing water and rarely rains
Rain shadow

7. Formation of a Rain Shadow

8. Terrestrial Communities
Biomes
A particular mix of plants and animals adapted to living under certain environmental conditions
Often delineated by climate
Tend to repeat wherever temperature and precipitation are the same

9. Pattern of Biome Distribution

10. Climate and Biomes

11. Tundra
Arctic tundra
Encircles Earth just south of ice-covered polar seas in Northern Hemisphere
Covers 20% of Earth’s land surface
Trees are not found in the tundra because growing season is too short
Roots cannot penetrate permafrost

12. The Tundra

13. Taiga typifies coniferous forest with cone-bearing trees
Coniferous Forests
Taiga typifies coniferous forest with cone-bearing trees
Trees well adapted to cold
Leaves and bark have thick covering
Needle-like leaves can withstand weight of heavy snowfall
Temperate Rainforest (Old-Growth Forests) of Pacific Northwest
Evergreen forest

14. The Taiga

15. Temperate Deciduous Forests
Found south of taiga in eastern North America, eastern Asia, and much of Europe
Four well-defined seasons with long growing seasons
Tallest trees form a canopy
Ground-life is plentiful

16. Temperate Deciduous Forest

17. Found in equatorial regions
Tropical Forests
Found in equatorial regions
Plentiful rainfall
Most animals live in trees
Abundant insect life
Epiphytes grow in many areas
Soils are nutrient-poor
Rapid recycling of nutrients
Swidden agriculture successful but destructive

18. Levels of Life in a Tropical Rain Forest

19. Representative Animals of the Tropical Rain Forests of the World

20. Shrublands
Tend to occur along coasts that have hot, dry summers and cool, wet winters
Shrubs adapted to withstand arid conditions
Dense shrubland in California known as chaparral

21. Shrubland

22. Grasslands
Occur where annual rainfall is greater than 25 cm, but generally insufficient to support trees
Grasses well adapted to changing environment
Temperate Grasslands
Savannas

23. Temperate Grassland

24. The Savanna

25. Deserts
Usually found at latitudes of about 30o in both north and south hemispheres
Descending winds lack moisture
Annual rainfall less than 25 cm
Large temperature differential between day and night

26. The Desert

27. Aquatic Ecosystems Lakes Bodies of water classified by nutrient status
Oligotrophic - Nutrient-poor
Eutrophic - Nutrient-rich
Lake Stratification
In temperate zones, deep lakes are stratified in the summer and winter

28. Freshwater and Saltwater Ecosystems

29. Types of Lakes

30. Lake Stratification in a Temperate Region

31. Aquatic Life Zones Plankton Life Zones
Important community in fresh water and salt water
Phytoplankton - Algae
Zooplankton - Animals
Life Zones
Littoral zone - Closest to shore
Limnetic zone - Sunlit areas
Profundal zone - Below light penetration
Benthic zone - Soil-Water interface

32. Zones of a Lake

33. Coastal Communities Estuaries
Partially enclosed bodies of water where fresh water and seawater meet and mix
Organisms must be able to adapt to changing salinity
Estimated over half of all marine fishes require development in estuaries

34. Estuary Structure and Function

35. Types of Estuaries

36. Littoral zone lies between high and low water marks
Seashores
Littoral zone lies between high and low water marks
Rocky Shores
Many attached organisms
Littoral zone of rocky beach divided into subzones
Sandy beach
No attachment sites available
Nearly all permanent residents dwell underground

37. Seacoasts

38. Biology, 9th ed, Sylvia Mader
Oceans
Chapter 49
The Biosphere
Major ocean currents move heat from the equator to cooler parts of the biosphere
Gulf Stream warms east coast of North America and parts of Europe
El Nino Southern Oscillation
Cold upwelling off west coast of South America subsides
4.B.4: El Niño

39. Ocean Currents

40. Oceans Pelagic Division Neritic Province Oceanic Province
High concentration of organisms due to sunlight penetration and supply of inorganic nutrients
Coral Reefs
Oceanic Province
Lacks inorganic nutrients
Does not have high concentration of phytoplankton

41. Oceans Benthic Division Includes organisms that live on or in:
Continental Shelf (sublittoral zone)
Continental Slope (bathyal zone)
Abyssal Plain (Abyssal zone)
Interrupted by hydrothermal vents
Organisms are dependent on debris sinking down from above

42. Marine Environment

43. Ocean Inhabitants

44. Biology, 9th ed, Sylvia Mader
Chapter 49
Ending Slide Chapter 49
The Biosphere
The Biosphere