1. 1 Earth’s Biomes Chapter 4-3

2. 2 Biome = group of ecosystems that have the same climate and dominant communities (usually referring to plant life) Biome = group of ecosystems that have the same climate and dominant communities (usually referring to plant life) Can all kinds of organisms live in every biome? Can all kinds of organisms live in every biome? No. No.

3. 3 Species vary in their adaptations to different conditions. An adaptation is an inherited characteristic that increases an organism's ability to survive and reproduce. Species vary in their adaptations to different conditions. An adaptation is an inherited characteristic that increases an organism's ability to survive and reproduce. saguaro cactus – spiny leaves saguaro cactus – spiny leaves kangaroo rats – kidneys reduce water loss kangaroo rats – kidneys reduce water loss tree frogs (rain forest animals) – tadpoles live in rain pockets in bromeliads tree frogs (rain forest animals) – tadpoles live in rain pockets in bromeliads

4. 4 Tolerance = organism's capacity to grow or thrive when subjected to an unfavorable environmental factor Tolerance = organism's capacity to grow or thrive when subjected to an unfavorable environmental factor Plants in the desert – can tolerate great ranges in temperature Plants in the desert – can tolerate great ranges in temperature saguaro cactus would rot in the rain forest saguaro cactus would rot in the rain forest

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6. 6 Tropical Rain Forest Tropical Rain Forest Highest biodiversity Highest biodiversity Canopy = dense covering formed by the leafy tops of tall rain forest trees Canopy = dense covering formed by the leafy tops of tall rain forest trees Understory = layer in a rain forest formed by shorter trees and vines Understory = layer in a rain forest formed by shorter trees and vines

7. 7 Abiotic factors: hot and wet year-round; thin, nutrient- poor soils Abiotic factors: hot and wet year-round; thin, nutrient- poor soils Dominant plants: broad-leaved evergreen trees; ferns; large woody vines and climbing plants; orchids and bromeliads Dominant plants: broad-leaved evergreen trees; ferns; large woody vines and climbing plants; orchids and bromeliads Dominant wildlife: herbivores such as sloths, tapirs, and capybaras; predators such as jaguars; anteaters; monkeys; birds such as toucans, parrots, and parakeets; insects such as butterflies, ants, and beetles; piranhas and other freshwater fishes; reptiles such as caymans, boa constrictors, and anacondas Dominant wildlife: herbivores such as sloths, tapirs, and capybaras; predators such as jaguars; anteaters; monkeys; birds such as toucans, parrots, and parakeets; insects such as butterflies, ants, and beetles; piranhas and other freshwater fishes; reptiles such as caymans, boa constrictors, and anacondas Geographic distribution: parts of South and Central America, Southeast Asia, parts of Africa, southern India, and northeastern Australia Geographic distribution: parts of South and Central America, Southeast Asia, parts of Africa, southern India, and northeastern Australia

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9. 9 Tropical Dry Forest Highly season rainfall Highly season rainfall Many deciduous trees (term used to refer to a tree that sheds its leaves during a particular season each year) Many deciduous trees (term used to refer to a tree that sheds its leaves during a particular season each year)

10. 10 Abiotic factors: generally warm year-round; alternating wet and dry seasons; rich soils subject to erosion Abiotic factors: generally warm year-round; alternating wet and dry seasons; rich soils subject to erosion Dominant plants: tall, deciduous trees that form a dense canopy during the wet season; drought-tolerant orchids and bromeliads; aloes and other succulents Dominant plants: tall, deciduous trees that form a dense canopy during the wet season; drought-tolerant orchids and bromeliads; aloes and other succulents Dominant wildlife: tigers; monkeys; herbivores such as elephants, Indian rhinoceroses, hog deer; birds such as great pied hornbills, pied harriers, and spot- billed pelicans; insects such as termites; reptiles such as snakes and monitor lizards Dominant wildlife: tigers; monkeys; herbivores such as elephants, Indian rhinoceroses, hog deer; birds such as great pied hornbills, pied harriers, and spot- billed pelicans; insects such as termites; reptiles such as snakes and monitor lizards Geographic distribution: parts of Africa, South and Central America, Mexico, India, Australia, and tropical islands Geographic distribution: parts of Africa, South and Central America, Mexico, India, Australia, and tropical islands

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12. 12 Tropical Savanna Tropical Savanna more seasonal rainfall than deserts but less than tropical dry forests more seasonal rainfall than deserts but less than tropical dry forests Grasses spotted with isolated trees Grasses spotted with isolated trees Compact soils Compact soils fairly frequent fires fairly frequent fires

13. 13 Abiotic factors: warm temperatures; seasonal rainfall; compact soil; frequent fires set by lightning Abiotic factors: warm temperatures; seasonal rainfall; compact soil; frequent fires set by lightning Dominant plants: tall, perennial grasses; sometimes drought-tolerant and fire-resistant trees or shrubs Dominant plants: tall, perennial grasses; sometimes drought-tolerant and fire-resistant trees or shrubs Dominant wildlife: predators such as lions, leopards, cheetahs, hyenas, and jackals; aardvarks; herbivores such as elephants, giraffes, antelopes, and zebras; baboons; birds such as eagles, ostriches, weaver birds, and storks; insects such as termites Dominant wildlife: predators such as lions, leopards, cheetahs, hyenas, and jackals; aardvarks; herbivores such as elephants, giraffes, antelopes, and zebras; baboons; birds such as eagles, ostriches, weaver birds, and storks; insects such as termites Geographic distribution: large parts of eastern Africa, southern Brazil, northern Australia Geographic distribution: large parts of eastern Africa, southern Brazil, northern Australia

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15. 15 Desert annual precipitation of less than 25 centimeters annual precipitation of less than 25 centimeters Day temperatures alternating between hot and cold Day temperatures alternating between hot and cold organisms in this biome can tolerate the extreme conditions organisms in this biome can tolerate the extreme conditions Plants have thick waxy coatings Plants have thick waxy coatings

16. 16 Abiotic factors: low precipitation; variable temperatures; soils rich in minerals but poor in organic material Abiotic factors: low precipitation; variable temperatures; soils rich in minerals but poor in organic material Dominant plants: cacti and other succulents; creosote bush and other plants with short growth cycles Dominant plants: cacti and other succulents; creosote bush and other plants with short growth cycles Dominant wildlife: predators such as mountain lions, gray foxes, and bobcats; herbivores such as mule deer, pronghorn antelopes, desert bighorn sheep, and kangaroo rats; bats; birds such as owls, hawks, and roadrunners; insects such as ants, beetles, butterflies, flies, and wasps; reptiles such as tortoises, rattlesnakes, and lizards Dominant wildlife: predators such as mountain lions, gray foxes, and bobcats; herbivores such as mule deer, pronghorn antelopes, desert bighorn sheep, and kangaroo rats; bats; birds such as owls, hawks, and roadrunners; insects such as ants, beetles, butterflies, flies, and wasps; reptiles such as tortoises, rattlesnakes, and lizards Geographic distribution: Africa, Asia, the Middle East, United States, Mexico, South America, and Australia Geographic distribution: Africa, Asia, the Middle East, United States, Mexico, South America, and Australia

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18. 18 Temperate Grassland Temperate Grassland rich mix of grasses rich mix of grasses some of the world's most fertile soils some of the world's most fertile soils most have been converted to agricultural fields most have been converted to agricultural fields Large grazing herbivores Large grazing herbivores Periodic fires Periodic fires

19. 19 Abiotic factors: warm to hot summers; cold winters; moderate, seasonal precipitation; fertile soils; occasional fires Abiotic factors: warm to hot summers; cold winters; moderate, seasonal precipitation; fertile soils; occasional fires Dominant plants: lush, perennial grasses and herbs; most are resistant to drought, fire, and cold Dominant plants: lush, perennial grasses and herbs; most are resistant to drought, fire, and cold Dominant wildlife: predators such as coyotes and badgers—historically included wolves and grizzly bears; herbivores such as mule deer, pronghorn antelopes, rabbits, prairie dogs, and introduced cattle— historically included bison; birds such as hawks, owls, bobwhites, prairie chickens, mountain plovers; reptiles such as snakes; insects such as ants and grasshoppers Dominant wildlife: predators such as coyotes and badgers—historically included wolves and grizzly bears; herbivores such as mule deer, pronghorn antelopes, rabbits, prairie dogs, and introduced cattle— historically included bison; birds such as hawks, owls, bobwhites, prairie chickens, mountain plovers; reptiles such as snakes; insects such as ants and grasshoppers Geographic distribution: central Asia, North America, Australia, central Europe, and upland plateaus of South America Geographic distribution: central Asia, North America, Australia, central Europe, and upland plateaus of South America

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21. 21 Temperate Woodland and Shrubland Temperate Woodland and Shrubland semiarid climate semiarid climate mix of shrub communities and open woodlands mix of shrub communities and open woodlands growth of dense, low plants that contain flammable oils makes fires a constant threat growth of dense, low plants that contain flammable oils makes fires a constant threat

22. 22 Abiotic factors: hot, dry summers; cool, moist winters; thin, nutrient-poor soils; periodic fires Abiotic factors: hot, dry summers; cool, moist winters; thin, nutrient-poor soils; periodic fires Dominant plants: woody evergreen shrubs with small, leathery leaves; fragrant, oily herbs that grow during winter and die in summer Dominant plants: woody evergreen shrubs with small, leathery leaves; fragrant, oily herbs that grow during winter and die in summer Dominant wildlife: predators such as coyotes, foxes, bobcats, and mountain lions; herbivores such as blacktailed deer, rabbits, and squirrels; birds such as hawks, California quails, warblers and other songbirds; reptiles such as lizards and snakes; butterflies Dominant wildlife: predators such as coyotes, foxes, bobcats, and mountain lions; herbivores such as blacktailed deer, rabbits, and squirrels; birds such as hawks, California quails, warblers and other songbirds; reptiles such as lizards and snakes; butterflies Geographic distribution: western coasts of North and South America, areas around the Mediterranean Sea, South Africa, and Australia Geographic distribution: western coasts of North and South America, areas around the Mediterranean Sea, South Africa, and Australia

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24. 24 Temperate Forest Temperate Forest mixture of deciduous (shed leaves) and coniferous (seed-bearing cones and most have leaves shaped like needles) trees mixture of deciduous (shed leaves) and coniferous (seed-bearing cones and most have leaves shaped like needles) trees often rich in humus, a material formed from decaying leaves and other organic matter that makes soil fertile often rich in humus, a material formed from decaying leaves and other organic matter that makes soil fertile cold winters cold winters

25. 25 Abiotic factors: cold to moderate winters; warm summers; year-round precipitation; fertile soils Abiotic factors: cold to moderate winters; warm summers; year-round precipitation; fertile soils Dominant plants: broadleaf deciduous trees; some conifers; flowering shrubs; herbs; a ground layer of mosses and ferns Dominant plants: broadleaf deciduous trees; some conifers; flowering shrubs; herbs; a ground layer of mosses and ferns Dominant wildlife: Deer; black bears; bobcats; nut and acorn feeders such as squirrels; omnivores such as raccoons and skunks; numerous songbirds; turkeys Dominant wildlife: Deer; black bears; bobcats; nut and acorn feeders such as squirrels; omnivores such as raccoons and skunks; numerous songbirds; turkeys Geographic distribution: eastern United States; southeastern Canada; most of Europe; and parts of Japan, China, and Australia Geographic distribution: eastern United States; southeastern Canada; most of Europe; and parts of Japan, China, and Australia

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27. 27 Northwestern Coniferous Forest Northwestern Coniferous Forest abundant rainfall abundant rainfall Moss often covers tree trunks and the forest floor Moss often covers tree trunks and the forest floor sometimes called a “temperate rain forest” sometimes called a “temperate rain forest”

28. 28 Abiotic factors: mild temperatures; abundant precipitation during fall, winter, and spring; relatively cool, dry summer; rocky, acidic soils Abiotic factors: mild temperatures; abundant precipitation during fall, winter, and spring; relatively cool, dry summer; rocky, acidic soils Dominant plants: Douglas fir, Sitka spruce, western hemlock, redwood Dominant plants: Douglas fir, Sitka spruce, western hemlock, redwood Dominant wildlife: bears; large herbivores such as elk and deer; beavers; predators such as owls, bobcats, and members of the weasel family Dominant wildlife: bears; large herbivores such as elk and deer; beavers; predators such as owls, bobcats, and members of the weasel family Geographic distribution: Pacific coast of northwestern United States and Canada, from northern California to Alaska Geographic distribution: Pacific coast of northwestern United States and Canada, from northern California to Alaska

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30. 30 Boreal Forest - Taiga Along the northern edge of the temperate zone Along the northern edge of the temperate zone Winters are bitterly cold, but summers are mild and long enough for a growing season Winters are bitterly cold, but summers are mild and long enough for a growing season Most land area Most land area

31. 31 Abiotic factors: long, cold winters; short, mild summers; moderate precipitation; high humidity; acidic, nutrient-poor soils Abiotic factors: long, cold winters; short, mild summers; moderate precipitation; high humidity; acidic, nutrient-poor soils Dominant plants: needle leaf coniferous trees such as spruce and fir; some broadleaf deciduous trees; small, berry-bearing shrubs Dominant plants: needle leaf coniferous trees such as spruce and fir; some broadleaf deciduous trees; small, berry-bearing shrubs Dominant wildlife: predators such as lynxes and timber wolves and members of the weasel family; small herbivorous mammals; moose and other large herbivores; beavers; songbirds and migratory birds Dominant wildlife: predators such as lynxes and timber wolves and members of the weasel family; small herbivorous mammals; moose and other large herbivores; beavers; songbirds and migratory birds Geographic distribution: North America, Asia, and northern Europe Geographic distribution: North America, Asia, and northern Europe

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33. 33 Tundra Permafrost - layer of permanently frozen subsoil in the tundra Permafrost - layer of permanently frozen subsoil in the tundra short, cool summer, the ground thaws to a depth of a few centimeters short, cool summer, the ground thaws to a depth of a few centimeters Cold temperatures, high winds, the short growing season, and humus- Cold temperatures, high winds, the short growing season, and humus- poor soils also poor soils also limit plant height. limit plant height.

34. 34 Abiotic factors: strong winds; low precipitation; short and soggy summers; long, cold, and dark winters; poorly developed soils; permafrost Abiotic factors: strong winds; low precipitation; short and soggy summers; long, cold, and dark winters; poorly developed soils; permafrost Dominant plants: ground-hugging plants such as mosses, lichens, sedges, and short grasses Dominant plants: ground-hugging plants such as mosses, lichens, sedges, and short grasses Dominant wildlife: a few resident birds and mammals that can withstand the harsh conditions; migratory waterfowl, shore birds, musk ox, Arctic foxes, and caribou; lemmings and other small rodents Dominant wildlife: a few resident birds and mammals that can withstand the harsh conditions; migratory waterfowl, shore birds, musk ox, Arctic foxes, and caribou; lemmings and other small rodents Geographic distribution: northern North America, Asia, and Europe Geographic distribution: northern North America, Asia, and Europe

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