1. Biomes

2. What is a biome?
a large naturally occurring community of flora and fauna occupying a major habitat, e.g., forest or tundra.
Usually synonymous with ecosystems.

3. Types of biomes in WA: In general: Tundra (alpine) Subalpine Taiga
Temperate forest
Temperate grassland
Temperate scrubland
Temperate rainforest

4. Tundra (alpine) Short summer season (8 weeks commonly) No permafrost
Lichens, mosses, many huckleberry members, some other small shrubs
No trees!

6. Subalpine ~5000’ or so AKA ‘parkland’ Very biodiverse
Some trees (firs) do well here, although their growth may be stunted

7. Taiga Dominated by conifers
Some small-leaved flowering trees can live in warmer areas of this biome (like alder, birches)

9. Temperate forest
Mix of conifers and broad-leaved flowering trees (think big-leaf maple!)
Has upper canopy, lower canopy, and understory subzones
Ferns (like sword fern) can dominate understory

10. Temperate rainforest West side of Olympics Ex. Hoh River Rainforest
>100” rain per year

11. Temperate grassland & scrubland:
Rainfall <26” per year
More rainfall = grassland
Less rainfall = scrubland
Scrubland dominated by drought-tolerant bushes and plants

13. Biomes are influenced by climate

14. Biomes are influence by terrain:

15. Biomes are influenced by rainfall:

18. Ecoregions of Washington State

20. Biomes are influenced by altitude:

21. Effects of altitude on vegetation and temperature (about 3F decrease for every 1000 ft gain).