Biomes & Succession Biome - a certain physical environment that has a set of plants and animals that is characteristic of that environment Terrestrial biomes (Biomes found on land) Aquatic biomes (Biomes found in water)

Terrestrial Biomes!!!

Tundra Biome Cold, high winds, short growing season Layer of subsoil that always remains frozen (permafrost) A few centimeters during the summer thaws, this gives plants a chance to grow, so plants must grow quickly during the summer in the tundra (plants are small) When the ground freezes the roots are crushed and the plant dies Animals have to have thick fur and large stores of fat for keeping warm cold-blooded reptiles or amphibians can’t live in the tundra since they are ectothermic and it stays too cold. Ex food chain: grass  rodents  owls

Coniferous Forest (Taiga) Biome Cool summers and cold winters (sometimes harsh winters) More hospitable to plants (redwoods, firs, spruces, hemlocks), plenty of rain extra rain and plants means extra animals animals in the Taiga have insulation with heavy fur and/or fat because it still gets cold in the winters some animals in this biome hibernate during the winters Ex food chain: trees  beaver  bobcat

Deciduous (Temperate) Forest Biome The state of Mississippi and most of the eastern US Trees: some conifers, but many deciduous trees Deciduous trees - trees that shed their leaves in the winter many trees because of abundant rainfall Forest floor covered in humus: decaying organic matter that makes the soil fertile Four distinct seasons: warm summers, cool winters, spring, and fall Many plants mean many animals ex: deer, bears raccoons, turkeys, squirrels Ex: food chain: grass  insect  ant  beetle larva  skunk

Grassland Biome Makes up the largest part of the US including the middle part of the country over to the west coast Contains fertile soil, moderate precipitation, cold winters, and hot summers covered by grasses that are resistant to drought, cold, and fire (which sweep through occasionally) Do not receive enough precipitation to support trees Ex of animals: insects, reptiles, birds, herbivores (buffalo, antelope, prairie dogs), and predators Ex food chain: grass  prairie dog  coyote

Chaparral Biome (shrubland) Part of southern California hot, dry summers and mild, cool, rainy winters woody shrubs with leathery leaves or needles Example animals: insects, spiders, lizards, snakes, chipmunks ex food chain: bitter cherry tree  quail  grey fox  moutain coyote

Desert Biome Compared to the tundra because of the lack of precipitation (less than 25cm for both of them) and biodiversity Many deserts are cold during the night and hot during the day Organisms have to be adapted to dry conditions and extremes and temperature changes Plants: cacti or succulents which can store water scarce plant life (non-fertile soil) deep roots to absorb nutrients and water from the soil Ex of Animals: bobcats, mountain lions, owl, hawks, antelope, sheep, and rats, snakes, lizards Ex food chain: cactus  kangaroo rat  desert fox  rattlesnake

Savanna Biome Grasses and small clusters of trees and shrubs Usually warm and a seasonal rainfall which has thunderstorms and lightening Lightening usually starts wildfires Herbivores live here ex: antelope, zebra, giraffe, Insects especially termites, birds, ostriches, storks, eagles carnivores: lions, leopards, jackals, hyenas found in Africa, South America, Middle East and Australia Ex food chain: grass  zebra  leopard

Tropical Rain Forest Biome More species than all the other biomes combined the most biodiverse terrestrial biome located in regions near the equator temperatures are warm year- round receives a lot of rain many types of plants and animals Canopy: 210 feet high; below the canopy is a place for shade-loving plants like ferns, orchids, and bromeliads, insects like butterflies, ants, beetles, fish like the piranha, retiles like the boa constrictors amphibians like the poison arrow frogs; birds like parakeets, parrots; herbivores like the sloth; and other animals like monkeys, anteaters, and jaguars Ex food chain: algae  aquatic insect  pirahna  anaconda