1. Biomes, Changes, & Cycles
Ms. Edwards

2. Biomes
Biome- a group of land ecosystems with similar climates and organisms
Climate (temperature and precipitation) determines biome

3. Land Ecosystems and Biomes
Climate and Location
Animals and Plants
Other Characteristics
Rain Forest
Mostly near the equator
LOTS of rain
Ferns, flowers, vines
Insects, mammals, birds, reptiles
LOTS of diversity
Canopy- rain forest “roof”
Understory- rain forest “floor”

4. Tropical Rain Forest

5. Land Ecosystems and Biomes
Climate and Location
Animals and Plants
Other Characteristics
Desert
Less than 25 cm of rain per year
Temp. swings from hot during the day to cooler at night
Cacti, gila monsters, tumbleweed
Organisms adapted to little water

6. Desert

7. Land Ecosystems and Biomes
Climate and Location
Animals and Plants
Other Characteristics
Savanna
Breezy, some rain but not enough for many trees
Grass, shrubs, few small trees, bison, elephants, giraffes
Rich soil

8. Savanna

9. Land Ecosystems and Biomes
Climate and Location
Animals and Plants
Other Characteristics
Deciduous Forest
Temps vary throughout the year
At least 50 cm of rain per year
Variety of plants
Oaks, Maples, chipmunks, deer, bear
Deciduous- Trees “shed” leaves

10. Temperate Deciduous Forest

11. Land Ecosystems and Biomes
Climate and Location
Animals and Plants
Other Characteristics
Coniferous Forest
Northern latitudes
Colder temps
Lots of snow
Conifers- Trees with needles and cones
Squirrels, birds, moose, wolves
Also called Taiga or Boreal Forest

12. Coniferous Forest

13. Land Ecosystems and Biomes
Climate and Location
Animals and Plants
Other Characteristics
Tundra
Extremely cold and dry
Extremely northern latitudes
Mosses, grasses, shrubs, small trees, Musk ox, wolves, hares
“Cold desert”
Permafrost- soil that is frozen all year

14. Arctic Tundra

15. Aquatic Ecosystems and Biomes
Climate and Location
Animals and Plants
Other Characteristics
Streams and Rivers
Flowing water
Trout
Organisms that live here have hooks so they can hold on to rocks

16. River

17. Aquatic Ecosystems and Biomes
Climate and Location
Animals and Plants
Other Characteristics
Estuary
Near the ocean, mouths of rivers
Abundant life, shrimp, clams, fish
Where fresh water meets salt water

18. Estuary

19. Aquatic Ecosystems and Biomes
Climate and Location
Animals and Plants
Other Characteristics
Intertidal Zone
The shore of the ocean
sea stars, barnacles, crabs
Adapted to survive pounding waves and temp changes

20. Aquatic Ecosystems and Biomes
Climate and Location
Animals and Plants
Other Characteristics
Neritic Zone
Shallow ocean zone
Fish, coral
Photosynthesis occurs here

21. Aquatic Ecosystems and Biomes
Climate and Location
Animals and Plants
Other Characteristics
Open Ocean Zone
Deep waters of the ocean
Whales, squid
Almost completely dark
Mountains and Ice- are NOT part of any major biome.

23. Cycles of Matter
Water Cycle- continuous process by which water moves from Earth’s surface to the atmosphere and back.
1. Evaporation- Liquid water is converted to gas
2. Condensation- gas is cooled and turned back into liquid (in the clouds)
3. Precipitation- When water falls back to the Earth from the clouds Four types- rain, snow, sleet, hail

25. Cycles of Matter Carbon Cycle- All living things contain carbon.
- Plants take in carbon from the air and make sugar, consumers eat producers, consumers release carbon dioxide, decomposers break down dead organisms and return carbon to the ecosystem.

27. Cycles of Matter
Oxygen Cycle- required for MOST living things. Cycle is similar to carbon cycle.

28. Cycles of Matter
Nitrogen Cycle- Nitrogen moves from the air to the soil, into living things, and back into the air.
- Nitrogen Fixation- process of changing free nitrogen into a usable form. Most nitrogen is “fixed” by bacteria that live in nodules on plant roots (Legumes - beans, peas, peanuts).

31. Cycles of Matter
Human Impact- burning oils and coal releases carbon into the air. We cut down trees that usually remove carbon from the air.

32. Biogeography Biogeography- study of where living organisms live.
Continental Drift- continuous movement of the continents on Earth’s plates.
- Affects how species are distributed.

34. Biogeography
Dispersal- the movement of organisms from one place to another.
1. By Wind- disperses seeds, spores, tiny spiders, etc
2. By Water- coconuts and leaves
3. By Other Living Things- birds eat berries and release seeds in their wastes. Humans move around the world and take organisms with them.

35. Biogeography
Exotic Species- an organism that is carried into a new location by people

36. Biogeography Limits to Dispersal
1. Physical barriers- water, mountains, deserts
2. Competition- when organisms are new to an area, they must compete with existing species.
3. Climate- the typical weather patterns in an area over a long period of time. Climate differences can limit dispersal.

38. Succession
Primary Succession- happens where there was no previous life, very slow process (centuries)
- 4 steps in primary succession:
1. volcanic eruption leaves ash and rock
2. Pioneer Species- first to grow, moss and lichens
3. Soil Creation
4. Fertile soil allows plants to mature

40. Primary Succession

41. Succession
Secondary Succession- happens where there was life before, and thus there is soil, happens faster
4 steps in secondary succession:
1. Abandoned field with grasses
2. Tree growth begins
3. Forest develops
4. Mature community

42. Secondary Succession