Biomes A specific climax community or ecosystem found in area

I. Aquatic Biomes Oceans Freshwaters Estuary

A. Ocean (Salt Water) >3 % salt 1. Important source of atmospheric O 2 2. Affects weather 3. Limiting factors: * light * O 2 * salt concentration.

4. Example organisms: * algae * mussels * phytoplankton (photosynthesizers) * zooplankton * sponges * whales * crabs * burrowing worms * fish

a. Intertidal Zone- Area between high and low tide i. Organisms that can attach to bottom surface or burrow thrive (EX. Algae and mussels) ii. Subject to a great deal of water movement Light-foot crab Low tide Blood Sea Star Shells

b. Neritic Zone i. From edge of low tide to the drop off ii. Coral reefs

c. Seafloor i.Shelter for: *sponges * crabs * burrowing worms ii. Continental shelf alters environment iii.Limiting factors: * light * O 2 *salt concentration

d. Open-Sea Zone i. Home to a diverse group of organisms including: * phytoplankton (photosynthesizers) *zooplankton *whales *fish ii. What we normally think of when we picture the ocean. Big eye Jacks Moray Shark dolphin

e. Deep-sea Zone i. Cold Temperature ii. High Pressure iii. Little Light iii. ex: Bioluminescent Organisms, Squid

The Real Deal in the Deep Sea

B. Rivers, Streams, Lakes, and Ponds (Freshwater) <1% salt 1. Bacteria (decomposing) on the bottom 2. Temperature greatly affects the ecosystem

3. Organisms well adapted for water movement 4. Limiting factors: *light *O 2 *nitrogen *phosphorus

C. Estuaries- The area where freshwater meets salt water 1%-3% salt 1.Salinity varies greatly 2.Among most productive ecosystems on Earth 3.Limiting Factor: salt tolerance Ex. Everglades

II. Terrestrial Biomes

A. Tundra 1.Northern most land biome 2.Contains permafrost 3.Plants have SHALLOW fibrous root systems 4.Example organisms: *shrubs * caribou * snowshoe hare * insects * birds 5.Limiting factors: * temperature * rainfall

B. Taiga 1.South of the tundra 2.Ground thaws completely 3.Dominated by coniferous (pine) forest 4.Limiting factors: * light * temperature 5.Example organisms: * pines * wolverine * moose * wolves

C. Temperate Deciduous Forest 1.Lose leaves seasonally 2.Forest floor has a rich nutrient layer (from decaying leaves) known as humus 3.Limiting factors: * light * temperature 4.Example organisms: * oak * aspen * maple * birds * deer * squirrels 5. Our biome

D. Grasslands 1.Savanna- grasslands with patches of trees. a. Warm temperatures ALL year b. Wet and dry seasons c. Example organisms: * zebras * giraffes * baboons * mice

2.Prairies and plains a. Hot summers but cold winters b. Example organisms: * prairie dogs * mice * bison 3. Limiting factor: rainfall

E. Desert 1.Receives less than 25 cm of rain per year 2.Can be cold 3.Plants are dormant during dry periods 4.Once water arrives growth is quick and beautiful 5.North or south of equator 6.Limiting factors: *rainfall * temperature 1.Example organisms: * shrubs * cacti * ants * birds * rodents *snakes *hawks

F. Tropical Rainforests 1.High temperatures and rainfall all year cm or more of rain annually 3.VERY diverse wildlife 4.Soil VERY poor 5.Near or at equator 6.Limiting factors: * light * soil composition 7.Example organisms: * Monkeys * Bats * Frogs