1. Biomes

2. Levels of Ecological Organization
Organisms
Species
Population
Community
Ecosystem
Biome
Biosphere

3. Biomes temperature & precipitation
Biome: groups of ecosystems with similar climates and organisms
Climate is defined as weather patterns over a long period of time
temperature & precipitation
There are terrestrial (land) biomes as well as freshwater & marine biomes

4. Biome Vegetation Temperature & Precipitation

5. Biome Vegetation Latitude & Altitude
Latitude: Distance north or south of the equator measured in degrees
Altitude: Height of an object above sea level

6. Biome Vegetation Latitude & Altitude

7. Terrestrial Biome Map

8. Terrestrial Biomes 1. Tropical & Temperate Rain Forests
2. Temperate Deciduous Forests
3. Taiga (Boreal or Coniferous Forest)
4. Tropical Grassland (Savanna)
5. Temperate Grassland (Prairie)
6. Chaparral (Scrubland)
7. Desert
8. Tundra

9. Types of Aquatic Biomes
Marine
Aquatic Biomes:
Coastal Wetlands
Estuaries
Marshes
Swamps
Shores
Coral reefs
Oceans
Freshwater Aquatic Biomes:
Lakes and Ponds
Wetlands
Marshes
Swamps
Rivers (& Streams)

10. Tropical Rain Forest
Around the Equator- SE Asia, Central & S. America, Africa
Wet, Hot, & Humid
> cm rain/year
Strong sunlight all year
Nutrient poor soils (fast decay)
>1/2 of worlds plant & animal species
Produce 40% of Earth’s oxygen and~1/4 of all medicines
Covers 7% Earths surface
(used to be 20%)

11. Temperate Rain Forest
Pacific NW US (Wa), Central Europe, Australia, New Zealand
High Precipitation & Humidity; Moderate Temps (cool and moist)
Evergreen trees covered in lichens & mosses
Ferns
Frogs, bears, wolves,
red pandas

12. Temperate Deciduous Forest
North Eastern US, Western Europe, Eastern Asia
Extreme temp differences between winter & summer
4 distinct seasons
Trees lose their leaves
Birch, maple, oak
Deer, fox, coyote, chipmunks/squirrels

13. Taiga (Boreal Forest) Northern Europe, Asia and N.America
Largest biome
Cold w/long winters & high snowfall
Summers bring nearly constant daylight
Coniferous Forest
Moose, Bear, Wolves,
Snowshoe Hare

14. Tropical Grasslands (Savannas)
Central S.America, Central Africa, N.Australia, India
Wet & dry seasons, but warm year round
Scattered trees, grasses, shrubs
Giraffe, zebra, antelope, lions, hyenas
Plants w/vertical leaves, large horizontal roots, thorns

15. Temperate Grasslands (Prairies/Steppes)
Interior of N. America, S. America, Asia & Africa
Nutrient rich, fertile soils
Slow decay
Hot summers/cold winters
Moderate rain, but not enough to support trees
Tall & short grasses, flowers & herbs w/deep root systems
Drought & Fire
Antelope, bison, owls, prairie
dogs & prairie chickens

16. Chaparral
West coastal regions of the Mediterranean, US, Chile, Africa, Australia
Temperate shrubland
Dry, coastal climate, little/no rain in summer
Small shrubs w/leathery leaves
Herbs like Sage and Bay
Animals adapted
Quail, lizards, snakes

17. Deserts The Americas, Asia Australia, & Africa
Precipitation (rain) less than 25cm/year
Scattered vegetation & dry
Very hot days, cold nights
Plants & animals adapted for little moisture
Cacti (succulents)
Thorny devil, hawks, turtles, camels

18. Tundra Northern Arctic Pole regions Long, cold winters
Little precipitation
Short growing season
Treeless w/mosses, lichens, shrubs
Permafrost
Musk Oxen, Snowy Owls, arctic foxes, caribou, migratory birds, insects