Bell Ringer What are the four major spheres of the Earth? Atmosphere – Earth’s air Geosphere –Earth’s land Hydrosphere –Earth’s water Biosphere – Earth’s living things

Biomes

Divisions of the Biosphere Biosphere – all the living things on Earth

Biosphere Divisions The biosphere is divided into smaller parts Biosphere  Biome  Ecosystem  Community  Population  Individual

Divisions of the Biosphere Biome – organisms living in the same climate (temperature and precipitation) as each other

Biosphere Divisions Ecosystem – areas within a biome where organisms interact with the living and nonliving parts of their environment

Biosphere Divisions Community – organisms in an ecosystem that directly depend on each other Population – the number of one specific species living in a community Individual Organism

Biomes Biomes – organisms living in the same climate as each other

Polar Biome Polar – cold temperatures year-round and little to no precipitation Usually covered in snow and ice Location Examples: Arctic and Antarctic

Polar Biome Permafrost – soil that is permanently frozen Soil – Shallow with no distinctive layers (horizons) Permafrost – soil that is permanently frozen Does not promote the growth of vegetation

Polar Biome Organism Examples: polar bears, penguins, seals, some species of algae

Tundra Biome Tundra – treeless plains with cold temperatures Most freshwater comes from melting snow/ice rather than precipitation Location Examples: Alaska, Canada, Russia Nearly all tundras are located in the Northern Hemisphere

Tundra Biome Soil – permafrost in winter, short growing season once ground thaws in summer Soil can only support the growth of small plants (not trees)

Tundra Biome Organism Examples: caribou, foxes, rabbits, mosses, lichen Lichen

Taiga (Boreal) Forest Biome Taiga – cold temperatures, moderate precipitation with coniferous (evergreen) trees Very cold winters and warmer summers Location Examples: Russia and Canada (directly south of the tundra)

Taiga (Boreal) Forest Biome Soil – thick, fertile, able to support large evergreen trees Organisms Examples: evergreen trees, lynxes, wolves, moose

Deciduous Forest Biome Deciduous Forest – milder temperatures, moderate precipitation with deciduous trees Deciduous – trees that lose their leaves in the fall Cool winters and warm summers Location Examples: Europe, China, Japan, eastern US (including North Carolina)

Deciduous Forest Soil – thick, fertile, able to support a variety of plants Organism Examples: deciduous trees (oak, maple, etc.), ferns, deer, squirrels

Tropical Rainforest Biome Tropical Rainforest – high temperatures year-round, high amounts of precipitation Location Examples: near the equator, Brazil, western Africa, southeastern Asia

Tropical Rainforest Biome Soil – warm and wet environment leads to lots of chemical weathering, which washes away the soil’s nutrients So, tropical soil is fairly infertile (doesn’t grow plants well) Plants grow in the rainforest despite this because the climate also leads to the fast decay of dead organisms, which replaces nutrients

Tropical Rainforest Biome Organism Examples: ferns, orchids, sloths, jaguars, anteaters, monkeys, anacondas

Grassland Biome Grasslands (prairies, savannas) – mild temperatures with enough precipitation to support grasses, but not enough for trees Location Examples: temperate climates in the interiors of continents; located just beyond the tropics; central Africa, Great Plains of the US

Grassland Biome Organism Examples: grasses, lion, cheetah, elephant, baboon, hyena, ostrich

Desert Biome Desert – arid (rain is uncommon) with large temperature difference (hot days, cold nights) Location Examples: northern Africa, Australia, southwestern US Soil: light-colored, coarse, high salt levels, supports little vegetation

Desert Biome Organism Examples: cactus, tortoise, rattlesnake, roadrunner, hawk, kangaroo rat Most desert organisms have adapted to living with limited water, and most animals are active at night when it’s cooler

Aquatic Biomes Freshwater Biome Location Examples – lakes, ponds, streams Organism Examples: fish (trout, salmon, bass), frogs, otters, ducks, turtles

Aquatic Biomes Marine (Saltwater) Biome Location Examples: oceans, coral reefs, estuaries Organism Examples: fish (angler fish, tuna, clownfish), octopus, jellyfish, kelp, sea turtles

Biomes of North America Color each area as directed and determine its biome based on location and description. The whole map should be colored when done. Answer the analysis questions and turn in to basket. This is INDIVIDUAL work. There is no need to collaborate. Use your notes to help you.