1. Biomes & Succession
Biome - a certain physical environment that has a set of plants and animals that is characteristic of that environment
Terrestrial biomes (Biomes found on land)
Aquatic biomes (Biomes found in water)

2. Terrestrial
Biomes!!!

4. Tundra Biome Cold, high winds, short growing season
Layer of subsoil that always remains frozen (permafrost)
A few centimeters during the summer thaws, this gives plants a chance to grow, so plants must grow quickly during the summer in the tundra (plants are small)
When the ground freezes the roots are crushed and the plant dies
Animals have to have thick fur and large stores of fat for keeping warm
cold-blooded reptiles or amphibians can’t live in the tundra since they are ectothermic and it stays too cold.
Ex food chain: grass  rodents  owls

6. Coniferous Forest (Taiga) Biome
Cool summers and cold winters (sometimes harsh winters)
More hospitable to plants (redwoods, firs, spruces, hemlocks), plenty of rain
extra rain and plants means extra animals
animals in the Taiga have insulation with heavy fur and/or fat because it still gets cold in the winters
some animals in this biome hibernate during the winters
Ex food chain: trees  beaver  bobcat

8. Deciduous (Temperate) Forest Biome
The state of Mississippi and most of the eastern US
Trees: some conifers, but many deciduous trees
Deciduous trees - trees that shed their leaves in the winter
many trees because of abundant rainfall
Forest floor covered in humus: decaying organic matter that makes the soil fertile
Four distinct seasons: warm summers, cool winters, spring, and fall
Many plants mean many animals
ex: deer, bears raccoons, turkeys, squirrels
Ex: food chain: grass  insect  ant  beetle larva  skunk

10. Grassland Biome
Makes up the largest part of the US including the middle part of the country over to the west coast
Contains fertile soil, moderate precipitation, cold winters, and hot summers
covered by grasses that are resistant to drought, cold, and fire (which sweep through occasionally)
Do not receive enough precipitation to support trees
Ex of animals: insects, reptiles, birds, herbivores (buffalo, antelope, prairie dogs), and predators
Ex food chain: grass  prairie dog  coyote

12. Chaparral Biome (shrubland)
Part of southern California
hot, dry summers and mild, cool, rainy winters
woody shrubs with leathery leaves or needles
Example animals: insects, spiders, lizards, snakes, chipmunks
ex food chain: bitter cherry tree  quail  grey fox  moutain coyote

13. Desert Biome
Compared to the tundra because of the lack of precipitation (less than 25cm for both of them) and biodiversity
Many deserts are cold during the night and hot during the day
Organisms have to be adapted to dry conditions and extremes and temperature changes
Plants:
cacti or succulents which can store water
scarce plant life (non-fertile soil)
deep roots to absorb nutrients and water from the soil
Ex of Animals: bobcats, mountain lions, owl, hawks, antelope, sheep, and rats, snakes, lizards
Ex food chain: cactus  kangaroo rat  desert fox  rattlesnake

15. Savanna Biome Grasses and small clusters of trees and shrubs
Usually warm and a seasonal rainfall which has thunderstorms and lightening
Lightening usually starts wildfires
Herbivores live here ex: antelope, zebra, giraffe, Insects especially termites, birds, ostriches, storks, eagles
carnivores: lions, leopards, jackals, hyenas
found in Africa, South America, Middle East and Australia
Ex food chain: grass  zebra  leopard

17. Tropical Rain Forest Biome
More species than all the other biomes combined
the most biodiverse terrestrial biome
located in regions near the equator
temperatures are warm year- round
receives a lot of rain
many types of plants and animals
Canopy: 210 feet high;
below the canopy is a place for shade-loving plants like ferns, orchids, and bromeliads, insects like butterflies, ants, beetles, fish like the piranha, retiles like the boa constrictors amphibians like the poison arrow frogs; birds like parakeets, parrots; herbivores like the sloth; and other animals like monkeys, anteaters, and jaguars
Ex food chain: algae  aquatic insect  pirahna  anaconda