Terrestrial Ecosystems Tundra Taiga Desert Savanna

Learning Objectives Describe the conditions of each terrestrial biome Explain plant and animal adaptations to each terrestrial biome Compare and contrast plant and animal adaptations across the terrestrial biomes Terrestrial Ecosystems

Terrestrial Biomes

Tundra biome is all land north of Arctic Circle – Extremely cold, dry, and windy – Winter months: Permanent darkness Temperatures drop to -70 °C – Summer months: Constant sunlight Temperatures rise to 16 °C – Permafrost – soil that remains permanently frozen Tundra

Common tundra plants: – Mosses, lichens, shrubs, and grasses Adaptations of tundra plants: – Low-growing with leathery leaves to avoid cold and wind – Shallow, lateral roots to avoid permafrost – Long, fuzzy hairs for insulation – Arctic moss stores nutrients for use during growing season – Lichens become dormant in winter Tundra

Adaptation of tundra animals: – Birds migrate to warmer regions during winter – Cryptic coloration – enables an animal to blend in with environment – Mammals use thick fur, thick hair, and a layer of blubber for insulation – Herding conserves heat Tundra

Taiga biome, or boreal forest, is between 50°N and 65°N latitude – Only in Northern hemisphere – Long, cold winters – Short summers are warm and rainy – Short growing season Taiga

Adaptations of coniferous trees: – Long, waxy needles to protect from cold and water loss – Dark green color to absorb heat from sunlight – Cone-shaped to allow snow to slide off – Grow close together to protect from wind and cold – Do not lose needles to maximize short growing season Taiga

Adaptations of taiga animals: – Cryptic coloration changes with seasons – Thick fur for insulation – Fur-covered paws to protect from cold, provide traction, and reduce noise – Large, flat feet for walking on snow – Sharp teeth and strong jaws to bite through frozen meat – Hibernate or migrate during cold winters Taiga

Desert biome is between 30°N and 30°S latitudes – May be hot or cold – Very dry – Water loss exceeds precipitation Desert

Adaptations of desert plants: – Small leaves to minimize transpiration and sun damage – Dense covering of plant hairs to minimize sun damage and evaporation – Spines to reduce evaporation and protect from herbivores – Store water to survive droughts – Long roots to tap into groundwater – Seeds only germinate during wet periods Desert

Adaptations of desert animals: – Nocturnal – animals that sleep during day and feed at night – Burrowing into ground to avoid heat – Large ears to radiate heat away from the body – Cryptic coloration allows predators and prey to blend in – Lizards have thick scales to protect against water loss and predators Desert

Savanna biome, or tropical grassland, is between 10°and 20°north and south of the equator – Dry winters – Extremely wet summers – Frequent lightning during storms causes fires Savanna

Adaptations of savanna plants: – Thick bark to resist fire damage – Large underground swelling to store carbohydrates for use after a fire – Long taproots to reach groundwater – Thick trunks to store water – Trees lose leaves in winter to conserve water – Grasses have sharp edges or bitter taste to defend against herbivores Savanna

Adaptations of savanna animals: – Different herbivores eat different plants, at different heights, or at different times of day Specialized eating habits allow many species of grazers to coexist – Cryptic coloration allows predators and prey to blend in – Zebras’ stripes confuse predators when packed together – Burrowing to escape heat and predators – Sharp claws for digging Savanna

Terrestrial Biomes BiomeConditionsPlant adaptationsAnimal adaptations TundraCold Dry Windy Short growing season Shallow, lateral roots Insulation – long, fuzzy hairs Low-growing Leathery leaves Dormancy Cryptic coloration Insulation – fur, blubber Hibernation Migration Herding TaigaCold, long winters Warm, wet summers Short growing season Waxy needles Dark green needles Retain needles year-round Grow close together Cone-shaped Cryptic coloration Insulation - fur Hibernation Migration Fur-covered feet Large, flat feet DesertDry Temperature extremes Small leaves Spines instead of leaves Long roots Dormancy Water storage Cryptic coloration Nocturnal behavior Large ears Burrowing Thick, spiny scales SavannaDry winters Wet summers Frequent fires Long roots Thick bark Trunks that store water Bitter taste Cryptic coloration Long legs Burrowing Specialized eaters