1. Pre AP Biology Read pages 651-658
Biomes of the World
Pre AP Biology
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2. Ecology is the study of living organisms and their environment.
Biosphere is the part of the earth which organisms live
Ecosystems are smaller units found in the biosphere. A pond or a particular forest may be an ecosystem.

3. The entire earth’s surface is considered to be an ecosystem or biosphere. This includes the aquatic environment of the rivers, lakes, and oceans.

4. The Biosphere is the parts of the earth in which life exits
Climax community is the stable community that results after disturbances and once equilibrium is established.

5. A Biome has a characteristic climax community
The earth has two main types of biomes, land biomes and aquatic biomes.

6. Most land biomes are named for their climax community or dominant type of plant life.
The major types of biomes are the tundra, taiga, temperate deciduous forest, grassland, tropical rain forest, and desert.

8. Tundra Where Found: northern North America, Europe, Asia
Plants: mosses, lichens, grasses, a few stunted trees
Animals: caribou, reindeer, wolves
Other Characteristics: permafrost – creates freezing and thawing cycle

10. Taiga Where Found: most of Canada and Asia Plants: pine trees
Animals: bears, wolves, moose, elk, voles, wolverines, grouse
Other Characteristics: long and cold winter, summers warm enough to completely thaw the soil.

12. Temperate Deciduous Forest
Where Found: southern Canada, eastern U.S., Europe, and Japan
Plants: trees that lose their leaves (oak, maple, birch)
Animals: huge variety, including fox, deer, moose, etc.
Other Characteristics: lands cleared by hunting and farming

14. Grasslands Where Found: interior of many continents
Plants: grasses and small leafy plants
Animals: grazers and browsers
Other Characteristics: Large variation in temperature and seasonal changes. Grazing and prairie fires halt succession

16. Tropical Rain Forests
Where Found: South America, S.E. Asia, Central Africa, Central America
Plants: rich vegetation in canopy and undergrowth
Animals: colorful insects, lizards, amphibians, reptiles, small mammals
Other Characteristics: 200 – 400 cm rain, constant temperature (25o C)

18. Deserts Where Found: northern Africa, southern Asia, central Australia
Plants: cactus and other non-leafy plants
Animals: lizards, small rodents
Other Characteristics: very little rainfall, although some deserts have seasonal rain