1. Biomes
Definition: large region characterized by a specific kind of climate and certain kinds of plant and animal communities
They can be freshwater, marine (saltwater), terrestrial, temperate, tropical, etc…

2. Biomes
Temperature and precipitation are the two key factors of climate that determine biomes
Climate: the average weather conditions in an area over a long period of time
Most organisms have adapted to live within a particular range of temperatures
Would you find a polar bear living in Brazil? A naked mole rat in Alaska? A salamander in the desert?
Adaptations for an organism’s habitat are important to their survival!

3. Kinds of Biomes Aquatic Terrestrial Marine (Saltwater) Tropical
Freshwater
Wetlands
Estuaries
Terrestrial
Tropical
Temperate
High-Latitude

4. Major Biomes of The World

5. Aquatic Biomes: Marine
Examples:
Kelp forests, tidal pools, coral reefs, sea grass beds, etc
Animals adapted to deal with high salt concentrations, water temperatures
Phytoplankton serves as the base of these biomes
Large predators include whales, sharks, and dolphins

6. Aquatic Biomes: Marine

7. Aquatic Biomes: Freshwater
Lakes, rivers, ponds, streams
Wide variety of plants and animals
Fish, reptiles, amphibians, invertebrates, grasses and shrubs
As depth increases, less light available
no photosynthesis and no plants, decomposers at the bottom recycle nutrients

8. Aquatic Biomes: Freshwater
Estuaries
Area where freshwater mixes with salt water
Usually where a river empties into the ocean
Very productive ecosystems because they are always receiving fresh nutrients from the river AND the ocean

9. Aquatic Biomes: Freshwater

10. Aquatic Biomes: Freshwater
Wetlands
Area that is flooded or saturated for most of the year
Bogs, marshes, swamps
Transition zone between terrestrial and aquatic habitats
Provide homes for LOTS of types of organisms
Act as “flood protection” for lower lying areas
Act as “buffer zone” or “filter” for pollutants

11. Aquatic Biomes: Freshwater

12. Terrestrial Biomes Major terrestrial biomes can be grouped by latitude
Tropical
Near the equator
Temperate
Between 30° and 60° latitude
High-latitude
60° and higher: polar regions

13. Terrestrial Biomes: Tundra
Climate: long summer days and short periods of winter. Very little rain
Plant Life: shallow rooted grasses, mosses, and lichens. Few trees because of lack of water and growing season
Soil: shallow, most moisture not available since it’s frozen for most of the year--permafrost
Animals: mosquitoes, lemmings, weasels, foxes, owls, hawks, oxen, caribou, reindeer

14. Terrestrial Biomes: Tundra

15. Terrestrial Biomes: Taiga
World's largest terrestrial biome
Climate: long severe winters, short summers
Plant Life: mostly evergreen trees with some deciduous trees
Soil: thin and nutrient poor due to long term cold temperatures. High acid content due to fallen evergreen needles
Animals: bears, foxes, lynx, wolves, caribou, moose, birds of prey

16. Terrestrial Biomes: Taiga

17. Terrestrial Biomes: Temperate Forest
Climate: cool/cold winters and warm summers with plenty of rain
Plant Life: deciduous trees in lower latitudes, evergreen trees in higher latitudes
Soil: fertile, enriched with decaying litter
Animals: squirrels, rabbits, skunks, birds, deer, mountain lion, bobcat, timber wolf, fox, and black bear
Adaptations: bears and some rodents store up fat, and then hibernate during the cold winters. Birds and fish migrate to the south to escape temperatures that can be below zero

18. Terrestrial Biomes: Temperate Forest

19. Terrestrial Biomes: Tropical Rainforest
Climate: warm temperature, lots of rain
Two seasons: wet and dry
Plant Life: LOTS of different tree species, orchids, bromeliads, vines, ferns, mosses, etc
Soil: thick wet mat on surface, most nutrients concentrated right at surface
Animals: amazing amount of biodiversity
Layers of the forest contribute to biodiversity
At least HALF the earth’s species live in the rainforest
Still many, many undiscovered species

20. Terrestrial Biomes: Tropical Rainforest

21. Terrestrial Biomes: Grasslands
Can be tropical (savannas) or temperate (praries/steppes/pamas)
Climate: Dry. Usually experiences all 4 seasons
Plant Life: Grasses and other non-woody plants; some trees
Soil: Nutrient rich
Animals: bison, coyotes, rodents, birds, reptiles, large herbivores

22. Terrestrial Biomes: Grasslands

23. Terrestrial Biomes: Deserts
Climate: dry, can be temperate (Great Basin Desert and SW US) or tropical (Sahara, parts of S America)
Plant Life: almost nonexistent, cacti. In temperate deserts wildflowers bloom seasonally
Soil: dry, rocky, sandy
Animals: coyotes, hawks, owls, snakes, lizards, spiders, scorpions
Animals adapted for life with little water, can get most of the water they need from food they eat

24. Terrestrial Biomes: Deserts