1. Biomes A group of ecosystems with similar climates and organisms. Brain Pop – Land BiomesBrain Pop Smart board Activity –Intro to Biomes

2. World Biomes Different type of biomes support different kind of organism

3. Tropical Rainforest  Location: Found near equator…little variation in temperatures. No distinct seasonal changes.  The hot and moist climate is ideal for bacteria and other microorganisms; they quickly decompose matter on the forest floor allowing nutrients to be recycled.  <1 cm of topsoil  About 100 in/yr of rainfall

4.  Sunlight is a major limiting factor  Plants grow in layers (canopy receives most light)  Shallow, wide roots since soil is so thin and poor in nutrients  Little sun reaches the floor Tropical Rainforest Animal Adaptations  Many animals are specialists and require special habitat components to survive  Camouflage is common Tropical Rainforest Tropical Rainforest Plant adaptations

7. The Luquillo Experimental Forest in Puerto Rico allows ecologists to study the effects of disruption on tropical forests –It contains deforested as well as still-forested areas Talking About Science: Ecologist Ariel Lugo studies tropical forests in Puerto Rico  Figure 34.11B

8. The forest ecologist Dr. Ariel Lugo has been one of the key scientists at the Luquillo Experimental Forest –He and other scientists have offered valuable insight into the peril these forests face as well as the promise they hold Studies indicate that tropical forests recover from natural disasters much more readily than they do from human destruction  Figure 34.11A

9. Several types of tropical forests occur in the warm, moist belt along the equator Did you know that “El Yunque” is the only tropical rainforest that is part of the US  Figure 34.10

10. Coqui El Yunque sounds

15. Desert Biomes  Location: Depending on type of desert, you will find them in various locations.  no  <10 in per year of rain  Little to no topsoil due to high winds.  Minerals not deep in soil.  Too dry for decay

16. Desert Plant Adaptations:  Spines  Succulents  Thick, waxy cuticle  Shallow, broad roots Desert Animal Adaptations:  Get water from food  Thick outer coat  Burrow during day  Smaller animals = less surface area

20. Deserts are the driest of all terrestrial biomes –They are characterized by low and unpredictable rainfall Deserts are defined by their dryness  Figure 34.13 –Desertification is a significant environmental problem

23. Grasslands Biomes Grasslands Biomes http://www.blueplanetbiomes.org/grasslands.htm

24. Savannas ( or Tropical Grasslands) Contain the greatest number of grazing animals on Earth. Amount of precipitation supports tall grasses but only occasional trees. Rainy and dry season 25-150 in/yr precipitation Fire plays a large role in this ecosystem

25. Grasslands Receives between 25 and 75 centimeters of rain each year and is populated by grasses. Located close to the equator are called savannas.

26. Drier, tropical areas and some nontropical areas are characterized by the savanna Savannas are grasslands with scattered trees  Figure 34.12

27. Tropical Savanna Plant Adaptations  Grows in Tufts  Resistance to Drought  Many plants have thorns and sharp leaves to protect against predation. Tropical Savanna Animal Adaptations Adapt for short rainy season—migrate as necessary Reproduce during rainy season—ensures more young survive

33. PRAIRIE – not tropical savanna (but still Grassland!)

34. Temperate Deciduous Forests Location:  found in mid-latitudes  Much of the human population lives in this biome  They receive at least 50 centimeters of rain each year.

35. Temperate deciduous forests grow where there is sufficient moisture to support the growth of large trees –Nearly all of the original deciduous forests in North America have been drastically altered by agriculture and urban development Deciduous trees dominate temperate forests  Figure 34.16

42.  Characterized by an abundance of deciduous (leaf bearing) trees Characterized by 4 seasons  Soils: Deep soil layers, rich in nutrients  Precipitation: 30–100 in/yr in all forms (snow, rain, hail, fog, etc.) Temperate Deciduous Forests Abiotic Factors http://www.cotf.edu/ete/modules/msese/earthsysflr/taiga.html

43. More diversity in the deciduous forest vs. the coniferous forest due to increased sunlight. Trees adapt to varied climate by becoming dormant in winter White Birch Birchhttp://www.blueplanetbiomes.org/deciduous_plant_ page.htm Lady Fern Geulder Rose Temperate Deciduous forest Plant adaptations Deciduous forests grow in layers More sunlight reaches the ground compared to a rainforest so you will find more ground dwelling plants.

44.  Lose Winter Coat  Adapt to many seasons  Eat from different layers of the forest Bald Eagle Fat Dormouse Least Weasel Temperate Deciduous Forest Animal Adaptations

45. TaigaTaiga or Boreal Forest Location: Found only in Northern Hemisphere

46. Taiga Abiotic factors  Winters are long and cold  Averages 100 in/yr precipitation— mostly snow  Soil poor in nutrients and very acidic  Growing season is very short http://www.uwsp.edu/geo/faculty/ritter/geog101/modules/ ecosystems_biomes/biomes_northern_forest.html

47. Balsam Fir  Coniferous (needle-bearing) trees are abundant  Roots long to anchor trees  Needles long, thin and waxy  Low sunlight and poor soil keeps plants from growing on forest floor http://www.inchinapinch.com/hab_pgs/terres/coniferous/plants.htm Fireweed Taiga Plant adaptations

48. Moose  Adapt for cold winters  Burrow, hibernate, warm coat, insulation, etc. http://www.inchinapinch.com/hab_pgs/terres/coniferous/animals.htm Great Grey Owl Animal Adaptations of the Taiga

55. http://www.runet.edu/~swoodwar/CLASSES/GEOG235/biomes/tundra/tundra.html Tundra Location: Found north of the Arctic Circle

56. Tundra Abiotic Factors  <25 in/year  Temp rarely higher than 10 0 C  Permafrost layer  Short growing season http://www.cotf.edu/ete/modules/msese/earthsysflr/taiga.html

57. Tundra Plant Adaptations  Growing close to the ground  Having shallow roots to absorb the limited water resources.  Trees grow less than 1 m high! Also called dwarf trees or forests cottongrass Reindeer lichen

60. Perennials Woody shrubs http://www.runet.edu/~swoodwar/CLASSES/GEOG235/biomes/tundra/tundra.html Heaths Examples of Tundra Plants

61. Many visitors, migration Few predators Little Competition Small ears Insulation, thick coat Arctic fox snowy owl Grizzly Bear Tundra Animal Adaptations

62. Threats to the Tundra One of the most fragile biomes on the planet The tundra is slow to recover from damage. Oil drilling is proposed in Alaska and other areas! Tufted Saxifrage Polar Bear

63. The arctic tundra lies between the taiga and the permanently frozen polar regions –It is a treeless biome characterized by extreme cold, wind, and permafrost –Permafrost is continuously frozen subsoil Long, bitter-cold winters characterize the tundra  Figure 34.18

64. FRESHWATER BIOMES

65. Freshwater Ecosystems Ponds and Lakes Streams and Rivers Salinity <0.5 ppt. They include both freshwater and saltwater biomes. They are affected by temperature, sunlight, oxygen, and salt content. Lake are the deepest of fresh water systems Lakes are fed by underground aquifer or stream Ponds are fed by rainfall and may be seasonal

66. Ponds Sun can reach bottom Fed by rainfall May be seasonal Algae and plants throughout Microscopic Animals and Algae

67. Lakes and ponds—Abiotic Factors Littoral zone: nutrient rich area found close to shore Benthic zone: bottom of the lake where no sunlight can reach. www.dnr.wi.gov www.uwsp.edu

68. Plants are floating algae and plants along shoreline Animals live in or near water Lakes and ponds: Plants and Animals Adaptations

69. Threats to lakes and ponds All water systems are being polluted and degraded by human impact www.aquaticbiomes.gov

70. Rivers At headwaters, usually cold and highly oxygenated. As it flows, it will broaden and warm up Yhis completely changes the biota you’ll find!

71. River: Plant and Animal Adaptations Will vary based on where in the river they are…at the headwaters, organisms need to hang on! www.3d-screensaver- downloads.com www.cs.dartmouth.edu

72. Threats to Rivers Industry uses water to dispose of waste products Runoff from homes and other places causes changes in acidity, pollution, etc. Dams alter the flow of the water www.nwk.usace.army.mil

73. MARINE BIOMES MARINE BIOMES http://mbgnet.mobot.org/salt/sandy/

74. Estuaries http://mbgnet.mobot.org/salt/sandy/ Fresh and salt water meet

75. Plant and Animal Adaptations of Estuaries Very productive biome because it receives lots of light and nutrients Often used as nursery for young www.lookoutnow.com & www.visualparadox.com Manatee and goose

76. Threats to Estuaries  Many ports are found on estuaries—pollution  Human population www.davenewbould.co.uk pers-erf.org

77. Coral Reefs Close to equator Consistent water temperature Shallow water Low in Nutrients

78. Breeding area for many fish http://mbgnet.mobot.org/salt/coral/ Animal adaptations of the Coral Reef

79. Threats to the Coral Reefs Temperature is important, too hot or too cold and the animals can’t live there to create limestone Human intrusion (scuba diving) is damaging if you touch/step on the reef Pollution is also a concern. www.calacademy.org

80. Ocean Abiotic factors Open ocean is one of the least productive areas on earth, too little sunlight to support plant growth Covers nearly ¾ of the Earth’s surface. http://www.worldbiomes.com/bio mes_aquatic.htm

81. Plants are micro and macroscopic Have floating plants ( kelp shown here ) Ocean Plant adaptations http://www.calstatela.edu/faculty/eviau/edit557/oceans/norma/onfrm.htm

82. Ocean Animal Adaptations Zooplankton— sea’s smallest herbivores Deep ocean animals feed on detritus— floating debris in the water column. http://www.kidzworld.com/site/p1951.htm Hammerhead Lion fish

83. Threats to the Oceans While the oceans are vast, they are becoming more polluted Overfishing and some fishing methods are destroying fishing grounds. http://www.worldbiomes.com/biomes_aquatic.htm