Biomes - Large geographic areas that have similar climates and ecosystems Abiotic- Non-living: water, temperature, sunlight, soil, rock Biotic- living organisms

Tundra Water – Less than 10 inches Temperature- cold desert Soil- permafrost (frozen soil) Plants- lichens and mosses Animals- Arctic fox, bears,

Taiga Cold forest of mostly evergreen/conifer trees. Short Summers Precipitation – 35 -100 cm per year Largest of the 7 Biomes

Temperate Deciduous Forest Water- adequate, plenty Temperature- cool seasons, warm seasons Soil- fertile, good Plants- deciduous(lose their leaves) trees (oak, maple, dogwood) Animals- insects, coyotes, raccoons, squirrels, bears, copperhead snakes

Coniferous Forest (Temperate Rain Forest) Water- adequate, plenty (200- 400cm) Temperature- cool year round often with snow Soil- poor, rocky Plants- conifers( trees that have needles and stay green all year) Animals- moose, elk, bears, and wolves New Zealand, southern Chile, and Pacific Northwest US

Tropical Rain Forest Water- very wet (200 – 600 cm ) Temperature- always warm Soil- poor, thin soil Plants- many plants, trees, vines Animals- snakes, monkeys, tarantulas, many birds, leaf cutter ants Trees made of 4 zones: Floor, Understory, canopy, and emergents

Desert Water- very little, Less than 10 inches Temperature- hot in daytime, cold at night Soil- poor, sand Plants, cactus, sage brush Animals- insects, lizards, snakes, jackrabbits, kangaroo mouse

Grassland Water- wet season dry season Temperature- warm to hot( often with a cold season) Soil- fertile, good Plants- grasses, very few trees Animals- insects, snakes, prairie dogs, wolves, lions, zebras N. Am = Prairie, Asia = Steppes, Africa = Savannas, S. Am = Pampas

Aquatic - Rivers and Streams Flowing freshwater Small brooks to large rivers. The faster the river flows the more oxygen content there is in the water. Most nutrients are washed into the water (silt) Humans use for recreations: fishing, swimming, skiing, etc. Once considered a free place to dump sewage Plants- algae, water lilies, cattails Animals- fishes, turtles, snakes, frogs, insects

Lakes and Ponds - Freshwater A low place that fills with water over time or water from an overflowing stream. Water hardly moves. Contains more plant life than flowing water. Lakes are larger and deeper than ponds. Pond water is warmed by the sunlight and support plant ( algae and plankton) and animal life. Deeper lakes support life longer.

Wetlands (swamps, bogs, and fens) Water- salt water swamps and marshes fresh water marshes located around creeks, streams, rivers, and lakes Soil- mud, sediment-Very fertile Plants- cord grass, Animals- beavers, muskrats, alligators, turtles, blue heron, fishes,

Ocean – (Salt Water Ecosystem) Water- salt Temperature- varies Soil- sand Plants- plankton, seaweed Animals- sharks, whales, jellyfish, fishes, dolphins Lighted Zone – upper 200 m, sunlight penetrates the water. Home of plankton. Dark Zone – Below 200 m, sunlight does not penetrate this water. Animals feed or organisms that float down or on each other.

Coral Reef Water- salt Temperature- warm Soil- sand, skeletons of coral Formed over long periods of time Plants- plankton, seaweed Animals- clown fish, anemones, fishes, coral When coral dies their skeletons remain.

Estuary AKA - bays, lagoons, harbors, inlets, & sounds. The area where a river meets an ocean and contains a mixture of freshwater and salt water. Temperature- varies Extremely fertile because the freshwater brings tons of nutrients. Soil- mud, sediment algae, salt-tolerant grasses, shrimp, crabs, clams, oysters, snails, worms, and fish Provide much of the seafood eaten by humans

Seashores Intertidal Zone – is the portion of the shoreline that is covered with water at high tide and exposed to the air during low tide.