ECOLOGY The scientific study of interactions among organisms and between organisms and their environment.

What is a biome? (Write this definition on your paper) Biomes are large regions characterized by a specific type of climate and the plants and animals that live there. Biomes are made up of many similar ecosystems. http://www.mbgnet.net/bioplants/adapt.html

Biomes of the World

Tropical Rain Forest Biome Climate Receives 80-180 inches of rain a year. Most biologically diverse land biome. Soil is very thin and poor in nutrients. Found near the equator. All tropical rainforest are endangered Copyright Cmassengale 4

Copyright Cmassengale Animal Adaptations Many animals have camouflage to aid in their survival. Some animals are poisonous, and use bright colors to warn predators to leave them alone. Copyright Cmassengale 5

Copyright Cmassengale Desert Biome Very dry and usually very hot. Areas that receive less than 25cm of rain per year. Most deserts get very hot during the day and get very cold at night. Copyright Cmassengale 6

Copyright Cmassengale Adaptations Long root systems spread out wide or go deep into the ground to absorb water Waxy coating on stem to help prevent water loss. Large fleshy leaves and stems to store water Most animals are nocturnal. Copyright Cmassengale 7

Copyright Cmassengale Grassland Biome Temperate Grasslands Grasses are mixed with flowering plants, very few trees Wild fires are very common Animals: bison, prairie dogs, mice Copyright Cmassengale 8

Copyright Cmassengale Grassland Biome Adaptations Some prairie trees have thick bark to resist fire Many grasses take advantage of exposed, windy conditions and are wind pollinated. Many prairie animals have front legs and paws that allow them to burrow into the ground, where they are protected from predators. Copyright Cmassengale 9

Temperate Deciduous Forest The weather in this area changes with the seasons. It becomes very cold in the winter and hot in the summer. There is enough rainfall to support large trees. Copyright Cmassengale 10

Copyright Cmassengale Adaptations Trees in this biome drop their leaves in the fall and new ones sprout each spring. A great variety of birds migrate to warmer places where they can find food more easily. Some mammals (bears) hibernate during the cold winter months. Copyright Cmassengale 11

Coniferous Forest (Taiga) Winters are long and cold. Coniferous trees (evergreens) make-up most of the plant life here. Location: mostly Canada and Russia Animals: elk, moose, wolves Copyright Cmassengale 12

Copyright Cmassengale Adaptations Conifers have special needle like leaves with a thick waxy coating that stops them form drying out and being damaged during the winter. Some animal’s fur will change colors as the seasons get colder to provide camouflage in the snow. Ex: Snowshoe Hare Copyright Cmassengale 13

Copyright Cmassengale Tundra The land here is very cold and dry. Low biotic diversity It has a permanent layer of frost all year (permafrost). Copyright Cmassengale 14

Copyright Cmassengale Adaptations Animals such as wolves, arctic foxes, and caribou grow thick fur during the winter to keep warm. Plants are short and group together to resist the cold temperatures and are protected by the snow during the winter. (Ex: Lichens and Mosses) They can carry out photosynthesis at low temperatures and low light intensities. Copyright Cmassengale 15

Copyright Cmassengale Freshwater Biomes Algae is the most abundant plant in the water biomes because sunlight has to be there in order for photosynthesis to occur. Freshwater biomes are divided into 2 groups: ponds and lakes and streams and rivers Copyright Cmassengale 16

Copyright Cmassengale Marine Biomes Largest and most diverse biome on Earth. Divided into 4 sections: Estuaries, Intertidal Zone, Neritic (Coastal) Zone, and Surface/Deep Zone. Copyright Cmassengale 17

Temperate Rainforest Epiphytes such as mosses and ferns grow atop other plants to reach light. cool temperatures and humid conditions lead to slow decomposition but seedlings grow on "nurse logs" to take advantage of the nutrients from the decomposing fallen logs. trees can grow very tall due to amount of precipitation.