1. CHAPTERS 7 AND 10 Biomes And Terrestrial Biodiversity

2. BIOMES
Large terrestrial regions with similar characteristics- latitude is a key
Climate is the most important factor in defining a biome
Precipitation is the main limiting factor for vegetation found in a biome
(joshua tree is a xerophyte- lives without much water - another example is the
bromeliad)

3. Natural Capital: Average Precipitation and Average Temperature as Limiting Factors

4. There Are Three Major Types of Deserts
Tropical deserts ex. Sahara-hot and dry
Temperate deserts ex. Mojave
Cold deserts ex. Gobi
Fragile ecosystem
Slow plant growth
Low species diversity
Slow nutrient recycling
Lack of water
Soil takes a while to recover

5. Desert Biomes Occur in interiors of continents
Intense heat and evaporation during the day and cooler nights due to rapid heat loss
Little vegetation- plants have deep roots, roots that spread out, spines, waxy leaves, no leaves, store water in tissue (succulent), open pores at night
Animals- long ears or legs to dissipate heat, thick skin, small in size, sleep during the day

7. Threats to Deserts Overgrazing Erosion/desertification
SUVs breaking the surface crust
Climate - change caused drought
Human population growth
Mining

8. There Are Three Major Types of Grasslands
Tropical- Savanna
Grazing animals
Browsing animals
Temperate
Tall-grass prairies
Short-grass prairies
-Winds blow continuously
Arctic tundra: fragile biome
Treeless plains, covered with ice and snow except
for about 8 weeks during summer when most plant growth occurs
Soils forms 17,000 ya
Alpine tundra- occurs above limit of tree
growth but below permanent snow line.
Receives more sunlight than arctic tundra

9. Grasslands… Occur mostly in the interiors of continents
Experience seasonal drought
Are grazed by large herbivores
Experience occasional fires

10. Monoculture Crop Replacing Biologically Diverse Temperate Grassland

11. Permafrost- underground soil which is permanently frozen
Permafrost- underground soil which is permanently frozen. Only the top layer thaws.
Found In The Arctic TUNDRA
Permafrost keeps most snow melt from draining into the ground. Many shallow lakes, marshes, bog and ponds form. Mosquitoes, black flies and other insects serve as food for migratory birds that nest and breed here.

13. Temperate Shrubland: Nice Climate, Risky Place to Live
Chaparral
Near the sea: nice climate S. California, Mediterranean,
Central Chile
Prone to fires in the dry season and mudslides in the rainy season

14. There Are Three Major Types of Forests
Tropical rain forests
High temperature and moisture
Stratification of specialized plant and animal niches- high biodiversity
Little ground level vegetation
Rapid recycling of scarce soil nutrients
Broadleaf, evergreen trees
High net primary productivity
Temperate deciduous forests
Temperature and moisture
Broad-leaf trees
Slow rate of decomposition: significance
Nutrient-rich soil
Evergreen coniferous forests: boreal and taigas
Few species of cone: bearing trees
Slow decomposition: significance
Coastal coniferous forest- Scandanavia
Temperate rain forests- Pacific NW (Olympic National Rain Forest)

15. Why are Forests Important?
Traditional medicines come from the forest (80% of the population uses)
Many chemicals are used in medicines
Are habitats to 2/3 of all terrestrial species
¼ of world’s people depend on for their livelihoods

17. Reintroducing Gray Wolves to Yellowstone
Around ,000 wolves over 48 states
1850–1900: decline due to human activity
(shot, poisoned, or trapped)
U.S. Endangered Species Act: 1973 –only 100 wolves remained
1995–1996: relocation of gray wolves to Yellowstone Park
Helped to restore the biodiversity
2008: Gray wolf is still endangered in many states, but not Alaska, Idaho, Montana and several other states. The recovery is considered a great success for the ESA.
Is considered a keystone species- preys on elk that keeps many plant populations in check (and then beavers and songbirds). Provide uneaten meat for scavengers (vultures, bears, bald eagles, foxes…)

18. Sustaining Terrestrial Biodiversity
Forests account for about 30% of Earth’s land
Classified by age and structure
Old-growth or primary forest –not disturbed for
200+ years
36% of world’s forests-high biodiversity
Second-growth forest –secondary succession
60% of world’s forests
Tree plantation, tree farm or commercial forest
(managed forest)
4% of world’s forests-low biodiversity
(1 or 2 species)
May supply most of the industrial wood
in the future
Russia, Canada, Brazil, Indonesia, Papua New Guinea

19. Most of the world’s forests are in
Russia, Canada, Brazil, Indonesia, Papua New Guinea
Most of the world’s tree plantations are in China, India and the US
Rubber tree plantation in China

20. Transitional Page

21. Unsustainable Logging is a Major Threat to Forest Ecosystems
Increased erosion
Sediment runoff into waterways
Habitat fragmentation
Loss of biodiversity
Invasion by
Nonnative pests
Disease
Major tree harvesting methods:
Selective cutting
Clear-cutting
Strip cutting

22. Building Roads into Previously Inaccessible Forests
Natural Capital Degradation
Building roads into inaccessible forests causes destruction, and degradation

23. Major Tree Harvesting Methods

24. Advantages and Disadvantages of Clear-Cutting Forests