1. Introduction to Biomes!

2. Biomes Biomes are major ecosystems with distinct climates
Specific temperature ranges and precipitation
Specific plants are adapted to each biome creating a habitat for organisms

3. Biomes are... A collection of related habitats
Limiting factors will determine what organisms can live there
2 biggest L.F.’s for plants
Prcipitation
Available light (photoperiod and intensity
Other factors include
Soil type
Nutrients
temperature

4. Limiting factors Major L.F for animals Available food
For Herbivores, the types of plants available
Plant eaters attract specific carnivores
Other factors include..
Water
Shelter
Temperature
Together, all organisms make up the community of plants/animals in a biome

5. Characteristics of ALL Biomes
Most biomes have high diversity at the edges where they overlap/ transition
These are known as fringe species
A biome is also determined by where it is compared to the equator
This is its latitude location (north or south of the equator)
Starting at the equator and moving away
Wet and warm transitions into cold and dry as you approach the poles

6. Biomes are either terrestrial (land),or aquatic (water)
Types of Biomes
Biomes are either terrestrial (land),or aquatic (water)
Terrestrial : Poles, Tundra, Coniferous Forest/Taiga, Deciduous Forest, Rainforest, Grassland/Savannah, Chapparal, Desert
Aquatic: Freshwater (lakes / ponds / rivers / wetlands), Estuaries, Saltwater (oceans/seas)

7. Poles!

9. Climate Very cold (nearly always below 0*C)
Very dry (less than 20 cm precip. per year)
Windy
Permanent snow and ice. Ice caps/sheets grow/shrink seasonally at edges, though for decades they have shrunk in overall size (this trend continues).
Soil (where present) - permafrost - frozen year round.
Water is rich with nutrients!

10. Plant Species
In most places, it's permanent ICE, folks! There are NO higher plants.
With little exposed soil (Antarctica, Greenland), as well as VERY little liquid water, it’s hard for plants to take root...
In some areas algae (which is not a true plant) may grow in the snow and give it a pinkish color. MANY types of phytoplankton enrich the sea water.

11. Antarctic (South) Nutrient rich water supports many phyto/zooplankton, crustaceans, fish, whales, seals, birds including penguins. Only continent not used by humans (except for research)
Animals
Arctic (North)
Relatively shallow,
nutrient rich water
supports many
phyto/zooplankton,
crustaceans, fish,
various birds,
whales, seals,
walruses, polar
bears, (visited by
arctic wolf), and people.