Chapters 6 & 7 Biomes & Aquatic Ecosystems Biomes –a biome is a large region characterized by a specific type of climate and certain type of plant and animal communities –Biomes and Vegetation  plants determine what other organism may live in a particular area –Climate determines plants which determine animals  plants have characteristics, specialized structures, or adaptations

Earth’s biomes

–Biomes and Climate  climate refers to weather conditions such as temperature, precipitation, humidity, winds, etc. over a long period of time  Latitude (the measure north or south) and altitude (the distance from sea level) often determines the climate of the biome

– –Terrestrial Biomes include: Temperate Deciduous Forest Tropical Rainforest Tundra Taiga Savanna or Grassland Chaparral Desert – –Aquatic Ecosystems Freshwater Ecosystems Lakes and Ponds Freshwater Wetlands Rivers Marine Ecosystems Coastal Wetlands Coral Reefs Oceans

Arctic Tundra location: arctic, high-latitude, northern hemisphere – north of the Arctic Circle precipitation: dry – 30 – 50 cm / year temperature: - 23 – 13 o C (-10 –50 o F) - cold year round – short summers, characteristics: lichens & mosses migrating animals (polar bears, seals) & resident herbivores (reindeer) Permafrost – frozen layer of soil

Coniferous Forest (Taiga) location: high-latitude, northern hemisphere – below Arctic Circle precipitation: cm / year - adequate to dry (temperate rain forest on coast) temperature: - 29 – 13 o C (-20 – 55 o F) - cool year round – long winters characteristics: conifers – pines diverse mammals (moose, bear, wolf), birds, insects, etc. – most adapt to seasons by changing colors

Temperate Deciduous Forest (VA) location: mid-latitude – below taiga, northern hemisphere precipitation: 75 – 150 cm - adequate with summer rains & winter snow temperature: avg 10 o C = 50 o F- moderate warm summer/cool winter characteristics: many mammals (squirrel, bear, deer), insects, birds, etc. deciduous trees – oaks, maples, etc. – trees lose leaves in autumn fertile soils

Savanna / Grassland location: equatorial / mid-latitudes precipitation: 25 – 75 cm / year - seasonal, dry season/wet season temperature: 20 o C = 68 o F avg Temp - temperature varies according to season and location characteristics: grasses – little trees fire-adapted, drought tolerant plants herbivores – zebras, giraffes (Africa), buffalo, bison (US) fertile soil

Chaparral location: coastal, high elevation at all latitudes – California, Mediterranean precipitation: moderate temperature: Mediterranean – warm, dry summers and mild winters characteristics: broadleaf shrubs - sagebrush, olive trees, hares, pumas, foxes

Tropical rainforest location: equatorial (found near the earth’s equator) precipitation: very wet – 200 – 450 cm / yr temperature: always warm – average temp = 30 o C = 86 o F characteristics: Ferns, orchids, Monkeys, toucans (Rio), frogs, thin poor soil 4 layers understory – shrubs, leaf litter lower canopy upper canopy – where most organisms are found emergent layer – very tops of trees or above tree line may be temperate or tropical

Desert location: 30°N & S latitude band precipitation: very dry – less than 25 cm temperature: 10 – 30 o C - variable daily & seasonally, hot & cold characteristics: sparse vegetation & animals, cacti, succulents, reptiles, insects, rodents, birds drought tolerant burrowing / nocturnal animals avoid sun in daytime

Freshwater ponds lakes rivers

Freshwater Communities Lakes, ponds, streams and rivers Eutrophic lake / pond due to increased growth from fertilizer run-off 2.1% of Earth’s surface Zones – littoral = near shore – most diverse limnetic = open water – no rooted plants – less diversity profundal = deep - decomposers Rivers flow faster near their source – slower near their end – change according to land and climate Wetlands – marshes and swamps (poorly drained land) – filter pollutants and sediments, control flooding, provide habitats

Marine intertidal coral reef benthos

Marine Communities   75% of Earth’s surface is covered by ocean   Estuaries – fresh water (rivers) and salt water (ocean) mixes – very productive – major ports = access to food, water and shipping – trade and transportation   Salinity = amount of salt   3 major habitats – –shoreline (coral reefs and barrier islands) – –open ocean (least productive) – –benthic (deep)   Plankton = base of food chain   Nekton = free-swimming organisms   Most ocean pollution is traced to activities on land

And now for some… Stupid Penguin Tricks…. Any Questions??