1. Environmental Science 2014-15
Biomes
Environmental Science

2. Ecology Ecology-comes from two greek words meaning the “study of home”
Ecology is the study of organisms in their natural habitat
Scientists who study ecology are called ecologists.

3. The non-living components are known as abiotic.
The living components are known as biotic.

4. Ecology is the study of interactions between:
Non-living components in the environment
Living organisms
Light
Water
Wind
Nutrients in the soil
Heat
Solar radiation
Atmosphere etc.
Plants
Animals
microorganisms

5. The earth system can be divided into smaller interrelated systems:
Geosphere: consists of that part of the earth which is rock
Hydrosphere: consists of that part of the earth which is water
Cryosphere: describes the portions of the earth where the water is frozen into ice.
Atmosphere: the gaseous portion of the earth that surrounds the entire planet.
Biosphere: includes the mass of all living things livings all around the earth

6. Ecology…
The science of ecology views each locale as an integrated whole of interdependent parts that function as a unit.

8. Biomes….
A biome is a large geographic region determined by the climate and soil type.
Each biome has a distinctly different type of plant life.
Major biomes include arctic tundra, northern coniferous forest (taiga), temperate deciduous forest, prairie or grassland, desert, tropical savanna, tropical rainforest, and chapparal

9. Biomes

10. Biomes…
The climate of a region refers to its average weather pattern over a long period of time.
The amount and pattern of precipitation and the normal range of temperatures describe the climate.
The climate affects the soil type, plant life, and characteristic group of animals.

11. Biomes
Name that biome!
Photos by Corel

12. Arctic Tundra No trees Low temperatures Permafrost-only surface thaws
Short growing season

13. Alpine tundra

14. Alpine tundra

15. Alpine tundra

16. Northern coniferous forest or Taiga

17. Taiga Above freezing only 2-4 months Thin acidic soils No permafrost
Coniferous trees

18. Taiga

19. Temperate Deciduous Forest

20. Temperate deciduous forest
Distinct seasons
Soil rich in humus (decayed matter)
More decomposers

21. Temperate Grasslands or Prairie

22. Temperate grasslands or prairie
Distinct seasons
Hot summers, cold winters
Periodic droughts
Deep topsoil that is very rich in nutrients

23. prairie

24. Desert

25. Desert Can be cold, temperate, or tropical
Usually great temperature variation between day and night
Years of drought
Flash floods
sandy

26. Tropical savanna Cool and hot dry seasons separated by rainy seasons
No cold season
Fertile soils
Deep layer of topsoil

27. Tropical Savanna

28. Tropical Rain Forest

29. Tropical Rain Forest

30. Tropical Rain Forest Tropical Very little variation in temperature
Continuous growing season
Heavy rain
Thin soils with few nutrients

31. Chaparral Hot and dry Mild winters Prone to droughts and fires
Plants are low, drought resistant

32. Ecosystems
Ecosystem-a group of organisms that live together and interact with each other and their environment.
Habitat-the place within an ecosystem where an animal prefers to live. A habitat must meet all of an organisms needs for food, water, living space, and cover.
species-similar organisms that breed to produce fertile offspring
Population-the total number of a species living in a defined region.