Biomes for Biology

What is a biome? A region with a distinct climate and organisms. Latitude is a major factor in the climate & type of biome!!

Biome map

Terrestrial Biomes Forests- 1) Tropical Rainforests 2) Temperate Forests (Deciduous Forests) 3) Taiga (Coniferous Forests) Grasslands- 1) Prairie (Temperate Grassland) 2) Savanna (Tropical Grassland) 3) Steppe (Chaparral) Extreme- 1) Deserts 2) Tundra

Forest Biomes 1)Tropical rainforests Found around the equator. Precipitation = 100” – 300”+ per year Temp- around 80 o f year round Most BIODIVERSE biome. Poor soil.

How are plants adapted to the rainforest? 1)Plants grow in layers most of the sunlight (99%) is absorbed in the canopy, only 1% reaches the ground. 2) Some have vines, thorns or other structures to prevent being eaten & grow fast.

Rainforest layers

How are animals adapted to the rainforest? 1)Most are specialists 2)Camouflage 3) Warning colors – poison

Deciduous forest

Deciduous Forests Climate: moderate Temps: 30 – 90 o (cool winters & warm summers) Precip: about 60 – 80” per year Dominant plants are deciduous plants (lose their leaves in the winter) ex: oak & maple trees Location: outside of the tropics

Plant adaptations Deciduous – conserves energy Some have protective sap

Animal adaptations Hibernate or migrate Many herbivores Camouflage & mimicry

Taiga

AKA: Boreal forest & Coniferous forest Climate – colder & dryer than Dec. forests Temp: -20  80 o (long cold winters, short, cool summers) Precip: 60-80” (mostly snow) Dominate plants = coniferous softwoods (fir, pine, spruce, etc…) Location: just below the Tundra

Plant adaptations Soft woods & conifers “evergreens” – shed snow easily, keep leaves in winter Some have “needle-like” leaves Acidic soil – plants caused Relatively low nutrient plants

Animal adaptations Hibernate or migrate Thicker fur, “winter” coats/summer coats Some move between the tundra or deciduous forests Some camouflage

Grassland Biomes

Savanna (Tropical grassland)

Savanna Located: tropical areas in Africa (S. America & India) Temp: 40 – 90 F Precip: up to 60” per year Seasons: wet & dry Plants: Few trees, lots of scrubby clumped grasses

Plant adaptations: thorns tough leaves, extensive root systems. Animals: variety of herbivores and carnivores, migratory “Vertical Feeding Pattern” – helps reduce competition

The Prairie

Prairie Located: Midwest US, central Russia, parts of Asia Temp: -30 – 90F Precip: up to 60” per year Seasons – cold winters, hot summers

Plants – sod-forming grasses useful area for agriculture Animals – some migratory herding herbivores, a few large carnivores, burrowing animals Most fertile soil of all biomes!

The Chaparral

Location: Mediterranean area, S. California Temps: 30 – 80F Precipitation: ” per year Hot dry summers, mild winters Scrubby areas with small shrubs and trees

The Extreme Biomes

Deserts

Temp: up to & over 120 o F (there are also “cold deserts”) Precip: up to 10” per year 24 hour temperature fluctuation (cold at night) “pavement” – hard packed soil Plants = succulents like cacti store water and have extensive roots, small leaves

Animals have many adaptations: many are nocturnal some have light colors many are reptiles

The Tundra

Tundra Temp: below freezing most of the year (40 o during the summer) Precip: up to 10” per year Plants – short and shruby Animals- adapted to cold, most migrate