Biomes

What is a Biome “A large geographic area with similar plants and animals” Determined by the Climate: (Temperature and Precipitation)

Biomes Climates 3 main climate zones: Average weather conditions, temp., precipitation 3 main climate zones: Polar = cold areas Temperate = hot to cold seasons Tropical = direct sunlight, always warm

What classifies a biome? Temperature and Precipitation Leads to certain types of plants/animals

Factors affecting climate Latitude Amount of sun hitting an area

Factors affecting climate Wind Rainshadow effect Wind currents air is heated near the equator and rises reaches the cooler atmosphere and sinks back to land

Factors affecting climate Oceans Cold water near the poles sink, warm water near the equator rises This creates a circular pattern of movement Water holds heat

North America Biomes

Tundra: Cold and dry. PERMAFROST. Mosses and lichen are the main vegetation. Short growing season of about 60 days. Soggy summers. 10 inch of precipitation a year

CONIFEROUS FOREST: (A.K.A. =TAIGA, BOREAL FOREST) “Conifer” = cone Consists of EVERGREEN like pines, firs, spruces and cedars. Waxy leaves and shallow roots. 21 - 28 inch of rain. Growing season 4 months. (Why are conifers shaped the way they are? ) (What benefit do conifers gain by keeping needles on all year long?)

DECIDUOUS FOREST Trees that drop their leaves each year. Growing season about six months. Rainfall about 30 inches per year. (Humus=rich soil) (What benefit do deciduous trees gain by loosing their leaves every year?)

GRASSLAND (PRAIRIES) Rich soil. Rainfall about 15 - 30 inches. (not enough for big trees. Fires are frequent and important. Great diversity of plants, and animals. Ninety-nine percent of all prairies are now cropland. (Extinct)

DESERT Extremely dry with less than 10 inch of rain per year. Dominant plants are XEROPHYTES (waxy leaves, deep roots, small leaves (spines)).

TROPICAL RAIN FOREST Warm and humid. Abundant water supply and a long growing season. 300 inch of rain.

FRESH WATER Lakes, ponds and streams. Important for most living things. Less than 1 percent of all water is fresh water. Where is most fresh water found?

MARINE The largest Biomes. Has the most abundant and diversity of life.(different zones) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ufxGw8EqY5Q&safety_mode=true&persist_safety_mode=1

ESTUARIES Where fresh water flows into salt water. Unique biome. Provides habitat for many plants and animals. Smallest biome:

BIOME ART You will produce a drawing of an assigned biome. Your illustration should include the Biotic and Abiotic features in your biome. Be sure to include the location of your biome and all the prominent features.

What factors affect climate? Agenda for Friday Jan 23rd Finish biomes Succession