1. Animal Adaptations

2. (c) McGraw Hill Ryerson 2007

3. Biomes
Biodiversity is a term used to describe the variety species and ecosystems on Earth and the ecological process of which they are a part.
Biodiversity includes all living species of plants, animals, and micro- organisms on Earth.
Biodiversity is often referred to as biological diversity.
Three components of biodiversity are
ecosystem
species
genetic diversity
Ecosystems perform functions that are essential to human existence such as oxygen and soil production and water purification.
(c) McGraw Hill Ryerson 2007

4. The Biosphere
The biosphere is a core concept within Biology and Ecology.
The biosphere serves as the highest level of biological organization which begins with parts of cells and proceed to populations, species, eco-regions, biomes and finally, the biosphere.
Global patterns of biodiversity within the biosphere are described using biomes.
The biosphere plays a central role in the biogeochemical processes:
i.e. Carbon cycle, Nitrogen Cycle, Water Cycle, etc.
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5. Biomes The biosphere consists of biomes.
Each biome contains many ecosystems.
Each ecosystem contains habitats in which a variety of organisms live.
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6. Biomes A biome is a region with similar biotic and abiotic components.
Biotic = living things – plants, animals, fungi & micro-
Abiotic = non-living things (air, water, soil, etc.)
If biotic and abiotic conditions are the same, similar biomes can exist far apart.
A biome here in B.C. can be the same as a biome in New Zealand.
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7. Biomes
Biomes are classified based on many qualities, such as water availability, temperature, and interactions between biotic and abiotic factors.
Examples of Biomes:
Temperate Rainforest
Temperate Deciduous Forest
Taiga or Boreal Forest
Tropical Rainforest
Grassland
Desert
Tundra
Permanent Ice

8. Adaptations and Biomes
Biomes are often identified with characteristic biotic factors.
Certain types of plants and animals are characteristic of certain biomes because they are better adapted for survival in the environmental conditions in those locations.
Such as a cactus in the desert or a caribou on the tundra.
An adaptation is a characteristic that allows an organism to better survive and reproduce.
See pages
(c) McGraw Hill Ryerson 2007

9. Adaptations and Biomes
Biomes are often identified with characteristic biotic factors.
Certain types of plants and animals are characteristic of certain biomes because they are better adapted for survival in the environmental conditions in those locations.
Such as a cactus in the desert or a caribou on the tundra.
An adaptation is a characteristic that allows an organism to better survive and reproduce.
See pages
(c) McGraw Hill Ryerson 2007

10. 3 types of Adaptations
Structural adaptation – a physical feature that helps an organism survive
A wolf has large paws to help it run in snow.
Physiological adaptation – a physical or chemical event inside the body of an organism that allows it to survive
A wolf maintains a constant body temperature.
Behavioural adaptation – a behaviour that helps an organism to survive
Wolves hunt in packs to capture large prey.
(c) McGraw Hill Ryerson 2007

11. (c) McGraw Hill Ryerson 2007