Goal 3 - Biomes

I.. BIOMES A. A BIOME is a group of land ECOSYSTEMS with similar climates and ORGANISMS B. There are 6 major biomes: RAIN FOREST, DESERT, GRASSLAND, DECIDUOUS FOREST, BOREAL FOREST, and TUNDRA. C. The major factor that determines a biome is it’s CLIMATE

II. RAIN FOREST BIOMES A. Temperate Rain Forest 1. The NORTHWEST United States would be considered as a TEMPERATE Rain Forest. 2. The term TEMPERATE means having moderate temperatures.

B. TROPICAL RAIN FORESTS 1. The CLIMATE is warm and humid all YEAR, with lots of RAIN. 2. TREES in the rain forest form several distinct layers. a. TALL trees form a leafy roof called the CANOPY b. The second layers of SHORTER trees and VINES form the UNDERSTORY c. The Forest fLOOR is nearly DARK, so few plants live there. Tropical Forests http://geography.howstuffworks.com/28111-assignment-discovery-the-tropic-biomes-video.htm (2:11)

Tropical Rain Forest Cont. 3. The abundant PLANT life in tropical rain forest provides HABITATS for many species of animals. a. ECOLOGISTS estimate that a MILLION species of insects liv in the Tropical Rain Forest. b. The insect serve as a source of FOOD for many reptiles, birds, and mammals. c. Many of these animals are FOOD source for other ANIMALS Rain Forests cover only a small part of the PLANET, they probably contain more species of plants and animals than all the other biomes COMBINED

III. DESERT BIMOES 1. A DESERT IS AN AREA THAT RECEIVVES LESS THAN 25 CENTIMETERS (CM) OF RAIN PER YEAR. 2. Deserts often undergo LARGE shifts in TEMPERATURE during the course of a DAY 3. Many desert ANIMALS are most active at NIGHT when the temperatures are COOLER Deserts http://videos.howstuffworks.com/discovery/28106-assignment-discovery-desert-biomes-video.htm (2:19)

IV. GRASSLAND BIOMES 1. A GRASSY plain is called a PRAIRIE 2. PRAIRES receive more rain than a desert, it does NOT get enough rain for TREES to grow. 3. A GRASSLANS is an area that is populated mostly by GRASSES and other non-woody PLANTS 4. Most grasslands receive 25 – 75 centimeters of RAIN each year 5. FIRE and DROUGHTS are common in this biome.

Grassland Cont. 6. Grasslands that are located closer to the EQUATOR are known as SAVANNAS 7. A SAVANNA receives as much as 120 centimeters of rain each year. 8. Scattered SHRUBS and small TREES grow along side the grass. 9. Grasslands are home to many of the LARGEST animals on Earth. Savanna Lion King http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GwyOhBIwld8 (4:00)

V. DECIDUOUS FOREST BIOMES 1. Many of the TREES in this forest are DECIDUOUS Trees 2. Deciduous trees means that they SHED their LEAVES and grow new ones each year 3. DECIDUOUS Forests receive enough RAIN to support the growth of trees and other plants., at least 50 centimeters (cm) per year. 4. Temperatures vary GREATLY during the year, with the GROWING season lasting around 5 to 6 months.

Deciduous Forest Cont. 5. The Variety of PLANTS creates many different HABITATS 6. In the WINTER you would not see much WILDLIFE 7. Many BIRDS migrate to warm areas, and some MAMMALS hibernate. 8. HIBERNATION is a state of greatly reduced body ACTIVITY similar to SLEEP Hibernation- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZFbP2vZ0kc (3:18)

VI. Boreal Forest Biomes A. Boreal Forest Plants 1. Most of the TREES in a Boreal Forest are CONIFEROUS trees 2. Coniferous trees produce their seeds in CONES and have leaves shaped like NEEDLES 3. The Boreal Forest is also known as the TAIGA 4. WINTERS are very cold and can produce SNOW taller than 6 feet high B. Boreal Forest Animals 1. Many of the ANIMALS found here eat the SEEDS produced by the trees.

VII. TUNDRA BIOMES 1. The TUNDRA is an extremely COLD and DRY biome 2. The tundra may receive no more precipitation than a DESERT 3. Most of the SOIL in the tundra is FROZEN called PERMAFROST

Organisms of the Tundra A. Tundra Plants Plants include MOSSES, grasses, shrubs, and DWARF forms of a few TREES B. Tundra Animals In the SUMMER there are many INSECTS 2. IN the WINTER the MAMMALS grow very thick COATS

VIII. MOUNTAINS AND ICE 1. Areas of LAND that are not part of any major biome, such as MOUNTAIN RANGES and land that is covered with thick sheets of ICE

IX. AQUATIC ECOSYSTEMS 1. 3/4 of the Earths Surface is covered in WATER 2. There are 2 type of aquatic ecosystems: FRESHWATER and MARINE 3. All aquatic ecosystems are affected by the same ABOITIC factores: sunlight, temperature, oxygen and SALT content.

X. FRESHWATER ECOSYSTEMS 1. FRESHWATER ecosystems include streams, rivers, ponds, and lakes.

XI. MARINE ECOSYSTEM 1. There are many ZONES in the marine ecosystem. 2. ESTUARY is where FRESH water of a river meets a SALT water ocean 3. INTERTIDAL zone is an area between the HIGHEST high tide and LOWEST low tide 4. NERTIC zone a place of SHALLOW water, where many forms of life live 5. OPEN OCEAN the DEEPEST part of the oceans. Life on a Coral Reef http://video.nationalgeographic.com/video/coral-reefs (2:54)