1. Ecology/Biomes Notes

2. Tundra northernmost biome
long summer days and short periods of winter sunlight
very little rainfall
layer of soil underneath topsoil is permanently frozen – called permafrost
shallow rooted grasses, small plants/shrubs, lichens
soil is not very fertile
mosquitoes during summer months, lemmings, weasels, artic foxes, snowshoe hare, snowy owls, hawks, musk oxen, caribou, reindeer

4. Taiga (Northern Coniferous Forest)
below tundra; most of Canada, northern U.S., northern Europe and northern Asia
mild summers and harsh winters
waterlogged soil since soil thaws out in summer months
conifer/evergreen trees such as fir, hemlock, spruce
soil is not very fertile
lynx, caribou, snowshoe hare, moose, mule deer, grizzlies, owls

6. Grasslands
called prairies in US, Australia, and Canada; called steppes in Russia, Called savannah in Africa; called pampas in Argentina
experience a dry season where insufficient water exists to support forests
many species of grasses and wildflowers
soil rich in humus
many use land for farming
bison (buffalo), prairie dogs, foxes, ferrets, many species of insects, birds, and reptiles. Savannah animals: giraffes, elephants, lions, hyenas, gazelle

8. Temperate Forest (Deciduous Forest)
Eastern seaboard of US, southeastern US, most of Europe
Dominated by broad leaved hardwood trees that lose their foliage annually (oaks, maples, sweet gums)
Soil rich in humus
Squirrels, mice, rabbits, deer, bears, blue jays

10. Tropical Rainforest Located near equator
Warm temperatures, wet weather, and lush plant growth
At least 200 cm of precipitation annually
Home to more species of organisms that any other place on Earth
Ferns, orchids, palms
Soil is not very fertile
Sloths, multiple bird species, monkeys, pythons

13. Aquatic (water) biomes

14. Marine Water contains salt Seaweed and plankton
Sharks, tuna, jellyfish, coral, whales, dolphins, seagulls, sea turtles

16. Zones of the marine biome:
Intertidal – meets the shoreline; very rough environment to live in because of the tides but animals do live here (fish)
Photic zone – where most photosynthesis occurs for our planet by phytoplankton; many marine organisms live in this zone. Open sea
Aphotic (deep sea) zone - no photosynthesis occurs; very cold and dark; high pressure; strange marine organisms live here

20. Estuary Mixture of freshwater and saltwater Lagoons, mouths of rivers
Ex. MS gulf coast
Many marine organisms like shrimp, mollusks, and fish can live here

22. Freshwater Contains no salt Creeks, rivers, streams
Algae, grasses, willows, lily pads
Bass, trout, catfish, ducks, geese, water insects, frogs, turtles