1. BIOMES An Introduction to the Biomes of the World

3. Definition of a Biome Terrestrial – referring to land Climatically controlled sets of ecosystems Characterized by distinct vegetation

4. In a Biome There is an exchange of: Air, Water, Nutrients & Biological components, And yes... This includes people

5. Definition of an Ecosystem Major systems within a biome - interacting communities of organisms Involves interaction of living organisms and physical environment

6. The Biomes: Tundra Taiga Temperate Mixed & Coniferous Forests Temperate Deciduous Forests Grasslands Chaparral / Mediterranean Scrub / Mediterranean Chaparral Desert / Desert Scrub Savanna & Deciduous Tropical Forests Rainforests Alpine

7. Distribution of Biomes Results from 3 major factors 1) Global patterns of air circulation

9. Distribution of Biomes Results from 3 major factors 2) Distribution of heat from sun The relative seasonality of different portions of earth

11. Distribution of Biomes Results from 3 major factors 3) Geological factors – inc. mountains— both heights and orientation

14. Tundra and Its Climate Fragile, cold environment 20% of Earth’s surface Winters – long, cold dark to – 90° F (-70° C) Summers – “land of the midnight sun” to 50° F The Tundra A Northern Hemisphere Phenomenon

15. Tundra Soils Permafrost – ground permanently frozen Shallow soils – poor drainage Soils low in nutrients Soils are acidic to neutral pH Tundra - Finnish word for barren or treeless

16. Tundra Habitat Upper permafrost thaws in summer – soggy environment Marshy, bogs, lakes and streams Multitudes of insects makes habitat for migratory birds Vegetation – lichens, mosses, heaths Low annual precipitation - <10” Most moisture held close to ground

17. Taiga A.K.A Northern Coniferous Forest or Boreal Forest or Needle-Leaf Forest Largest biome on planet Across Europe, Asia & North America

18. Taiga and Its Climate Located below Tundra Winters: -65° F to 30° F (-54° C to –1° C) Summers: to 70° F (21°C) Warm, rainy and humid Average precipitation 12” to 33” per year as rain, dew and snow Taiga The Boreal Forest

19. Taiga Habitat Precipitation mostly as summer rainfall Permafrost in higher latitudes Less than 3’ of soil Soils highly acidic, low in nutrients Vegetation mostly coniferous (conifers – cone bearing plants)

20. Taiga Habitat (cont.) Coniferous plants – Spruce (Picea), Larch (Larix), Fir (Abies), Pine (Pinus) Deciduous trees & shrubs – Poplars (Populus), Willows, (Salix), Alders (Alnus), Birch (Betula) Various perennials, mosses and lichens No annual plants

21. Taiga Pond in Ontario, Canada

22. Grasslands Zones between Temperate Deciduous Forests and Deserts Generally occurs over large portions of continental interiors

23. Grasslands and Its Climate Precipitation as much as 40” per year Precipitation types and amounts governed by adjacent Biomes Temperatures range from –40°F to over 80°F Grasslands of China

24. Grasslands Habitat “Tall Grass Prairies” most productive temperate farming lands Lacks trees except in riparian areas Disturbed grasslands can evolve into Deserts or Forests

26. Grasslands Habitat (cont.) Native vegetation—bunch grasses, sod-forming grasses perennials and no annuals Where Biomes converge a wide variety of plant communities are sustained Integration occurs with Temperate Deciduous Forests, Savannas and Rainforests where adjacent

27. Temperate Deciduous Forests Almost entirely in northern hemisphere Regions of warm summers and cold winters North America – 38° to 45° N. latitudes Europe & Asia – 45° to 60° N. latitudes

29. Temperate Deciduous Forest Climate Precipitation mostly as rainfall – 30” to 60” per year Four distinct seasons Low available moisture in winter Deciduous nature of plants a function of water conservation Fall Color

30. Temperate Deciduous Forest Habitat Shallow soils, acidic, low in nutrients Vegetation—broadleaf deciduous trees, shrubs & perennials Virtually no annuals due to limited light Annuals cannot store enough nutrients in seed to survive from germination to reproduction

31. Temperate Mixed Deciduous & Coniferous Forests Narrow band between Temperate Deciduous Forests and Taiga Conifers mixed with deciduous plants Winters colder than Temperate Deciduous Forests Precipitation—winter rainfall, fog and some snow

32. Temperate Mixed Deciduous & Coniferous Forest Habitat Considered harvestable timber regions Notable species inc.: Coast Redwood Giant Sequoia or Big Tree Douglass Fir Sugar Pine

33. Chaparrals A.K.A Mediterranean or Chaparral or Mediterranean Scrub Characterized by regions along the Mediterranean Sea Chaparral Associated with cool ocean currents

34. Chaparral Locations 30° and 40° north and south latitudes Chaparrals occur in: Central Coastal Chile Southwestern Coastal Africa Southern and Southwestern Australia and Southern California Coastal Sage Scrub

35. Chaparral Climate & Habitat Average annual rainfall: 10” to 20” Winters rarely below 30°F Summers to 100°F Evergreen or summer deciduous plants Short growing season Fire plays an important part

36. Chaparral Climate & Habitat Plant adaptations include: Small foliage Gray foliage Summer- or drought-deciduous Furry foliage Green trunks/branches Thick, resinous or leathery foliage

37. Deserts Covers 20% of planet Atmospheric high pressure areas Continental interiors Flanks tropics 30° north and south latitudes – towards poles

38. Desert Climate < 7” rainfall per year Some deserts < 1” Rainfall determined by adjacent Biomes Equatorial sides – summer precipitation Polar sides – winter precipitation Temperatures from range below freezing to 120°F+ No predictable annual rainfall !!!

39. Desert Habitat Specialized vegetation with various adaptations Plants able to store water or reduce water loss Leathery foliage reduces water loss Plants go deciduous when dry Photosynthesis can occur without leaves

40. Desert Habitat Plant adaptations include: Small foliage Gray or fuzzy foliage Summer- or drought-deciduous Green trunks/branches Thick, resinous or leathery foliage Swollen/expandable trunks Spines

41. Savanna / Deciduous Tropical Forests Grasslands and scattered deciduous and evergreen trees Large variation in temperatures Temperature swings account for seasonal droughts and sparse vegetation 35” to 60” annual rainfall

42. Savanna / Deciduous Tropical Forests Locations Acts as “transitional zones” Between Tropical Rainforests and Deserts Between Prairies and Temperate Deciduous Forests Between Prairies and Taiga A large Savanna runs along the southern Sahara Desert

43. Savanna / Deciduous Tropical Forests Habitat Mostly perennials Nearly all plants are deciduous Most have small leaves Periodic burning revitalizes Baobab Trees on the Savanna of Madagascar

44. Savanna / Deciduous Tropical Forests Habitat Plant adaptations include: Small foliage Gray foliage / furry foliage Summer- or drought-deciduous Green trunks/branches Thick, resinous or leathery foliage Swollen trunks Spines

45. Tropical Rainforests Region roughly parallels equator Occupies regions 15° to 25° north and south of the equator

46. Tropical Rainforests Climate Excess of 250” annual rainfall Hi relative humidity Distinct “monsoon” season in some regions Average temperatures 73°F Temperatures range from 64°F to 93°F Monsoon – seasonal wind and rain associated with southern Asia

47. Tropical Rainforests Habitat More plant species per acre than other Biomes Trees can exceed 150’ Low light on forest floor

48. Tropical Rainforests Habitat Forest Floor Forest divided into “stories” or horizontal sections Understory – lowest levels, forest floor Plants adapted to low light Large, dark green foliage

49. Tropical Rainforests Habitat Lower canopy – more light than forest floor – filtered light Limited biodiversity Upper canopy higher levels of light Tops of the upper canopy in full sun Highly diverse plant and animal population Upper canopy rich with epiphytes

50. Tropical Rainforests Habitat Epiphytes Epiphytes—“air plants” grow on surfaces of other plants Don’t require soil to survive Live attached to rocks or other plants Don’t harm host plants Includes ferns, orchids and bromeliads Epiphytes

51. Alpine Regions Mountainous regions world wide Similar to Tundra but drier Above “tree line” and below permanent snow line Gritty, fast-draining soils – low in nutrients

52. Alpine Regions Climate Long winters – October to May Short summers – June to September Temperatures well below freezing to above 60°F Cold and dry slows decomposition Gritty Alpine Soils

53. Alpine Regions Habitat Few, very specialized plant species Able to withstand cold, dry winds, snow pack, little available water Plants tend to hug the ground Alpine Flora

54. Biome Websites A few websites for Biome research http://www.blueplanetbiomes.org/world_biomes.htm http://www.blueplanetbiomes.org/climate.htm http://www.geo.arizona.edu/Antevs/biomes/