1. KEY CONCEPT Biomes are land-based, global communities of organisms.

2. Earth has several major biomes.
A biome is a major community of organisms.

3. Tropical rain forest biomes produce lush forests.
Source: World Meteorological Organization
Tropical rain forest biomes produce lush forests.
warm temperature
abundant precipitation all year

4. Grassland biomes are where the primary plant life is grass.
Rapid City, South Dakota
Source: National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration

5. Grassland biomes are where the primary plant life is grass.
Temperate grasslands are dry and warm during the summer; most precipitation falls as snow.
Tropical grasslands are warm through the year, with definite dry and rainy seasons.

6. Desert biomes are characterized by a very arid climate.
Tucson, Arizona
Source: National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration
very low amount of precipitation
four types: hot, semi-arid, coastal, and cold

7. Temperate forest biomes include deciduous forests and rain forests.
Temperate deciduous forests have hot summers and cold winters.
Deciduous trees are the dominant plant species.
Source: National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration
Burlington, Vermont

8. Temperate forest biomes include deciduous forests and rain forests.
Temperate deciduous forests have hot summers and cold winters.
Deciduous trees are the dominant plant species.
The temperate rain forests have a long wet season and relatively dry summer.
Ferns and moss cover the forest floor. 

9. The taiga biome is located in cooler northern climates.
Source: Environment Canada
Banff, Canada
boreal forest
long winters and short summers
small amount of precipitation

10. limited precipitation permafrost
Barrow, Alaska
Source: National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration
The tundra biome is found in the far northern latitudes with long winters.
winter lasts 10 months
limited precipitation
permafrost

11. Minor biomes, such as chaparral, occur globally on a smaller scale.

12. Polar ice caps and mountains are not considered biomes.
Polar ice caps have no soil, therefore no plant community.
The climate and organisms found on mountains change as the elevation changes.

13. KEY CONCEPT Marine ecosystems are global.

14. The ocean can be divided into zones.
Ocean zones can be determined by their distance from shoreline and water depths.
intertidal zone—between low and high tide
neritic zone—from intertidal zone to continental shelf
bathyal zone—from neritic zone to base of continental shelf
abyssal zone –lies below 2000 m
intertidal zone
neritic zone
bathmat zone
abyssal zone

15. The neritic zone harbors more biomass than any other zone.
Plankton make up most of the biomass.
zooplankton
phytoplankton

16. Coastal waters contain unique habitats.
Coral reefs are found in warm waters.
tropical climate zone
great amount of biomass

17. Kelp forests are found in cold, nutrient-rich waters.
large communities of seaweed
great amount of biomass

18. KEY CONCEPT Freshwater ecosystems include estuaries as well as flowing and standing water.

19. Estuaries are dynamic environments where rivers flow into the ocean.
An estuary is a partially enclosed body of water.
mixture of fresh water with salt water
Chesapeake Bay
Louisiana bayous

20. Estuaries are highly productive ecosystems.
Estuaries provide a protected refuge for many species.
birds migration
spawning grounds
Estuaries are primarily threatened by land development.

21. Freshwater ecosystems include moving and standing water.
A watershed is a region of land that drains into a body of water.
Ecosystems may be different along a river’s course

22. Wetlands are among the most productive ecosystems.
provide a home for many species
filter dirty water
renew underground water supply
Some animals have adaptations suited to the freshwater they inhabit.

23. Ponds and lakes share common features.
Freshwater bodies are divided into three zones.
littoral zone
limnetic zone
benthic zone

24. All lakes “turn over” periodically.
Turn over happens due to changes in density.
In both autumn and spring, surface water flows downward and bottom water flows upward.
The upwelling brings up nutrients.