Exploring Earth’s Biomes

Biogeography The study of where plants and animals live throughout the world – Biogeography. Animals depend on plants Plants are determined by the climate Climate – average conditions of temperature and precipitation over long periods of time.

Biogeography Biogeographers study why and how different animals disperse or move. Types of dispersal: Wind Water People or Animals

Forms of Dispersal Wind

Forms of Dispersal Water

Forms of Dispersal People or Animals

Biogeography Barriers prevent organisms from moving or dispersing. 3 kinds: Natural – water Human Made – Dams Ecological – Environmental conditions

Biomes Environments with similar climates and ecological communities. Six land biomes Tundra, Coniferous Forests, Deciduous forests, Tropical Rain Forests, Grasslands, and Deserts. Three aquatic biomes Marine, Freshwater, Estuaries

Land Biomes

Tundra

Land Biomes Tundra Location - Circles the Arctic Ocean all around N. Pole Climate – Very cold and dry Permafrost – permanently frozen ground. Vegetation - lichens Animals – Caribou, Oxen, Lemmings

Coniferous Forest

Land Biomes Coniferous Forests Location – Canada, Alaska, N. Asia and N. Europe Climate – Cold and wet Taiga = “swamp forest” Vegetation – Firs, Spruces, Pines Animals – Moose, Beavers, Lynx, Snow-shoe Hare and Owl

Deciduous Forest

Land Biomes Deciduous Forests Location – Northeastern USA, Canada, Europe and Asia Climate – warm summers and cold winters Vegetation – oaks, maple, beech and hickory Animals – Insects, spiders, snails, squirrel, deer, raccoon, fox, snakes, blue jays, woodpeckers.

Tropical Rainforest

Land Biomes Tropical Rain Forests Location – S. America, Africa, Southern Asia, Hawaii and Australia Climate – summer year round and muggy Rainfall – over 200 cm/yr Vegetation: over 40,000 different forms of plant life most varied plant life of all biomes. Animals Eagles, monkeys, parrots, toucan, bats, ocelots, boa constrictors All live in canopy.

Grasslands

Land Biomes Grasslands Location – East Africa, N. America, Central Asia, S. America and Australia Climate – warm and dry Vegetation – grasses and acacia trees Animals – elephants, zebra, antelope, lions, wild dogs, cheetah, mice, rats, snakes, hawks and eagles.

Grasslands

Deserts

Land Biomes Deserts Location – N. Africa, N. America, W. Asia, Central Australia. Climate – dry and hot = day Cold = night Vegetation – cactus, aloe and palm trees Animals – lizards, small rodents, camels, snakes

Water Biomes There are three different water biomes on Earth, characterized by their salt concentrations: Marine Freshwater Estuary

Marine Oceans cover about 70% of earth Salt water Divided into zones based on: sunlight Temperature water pressure water movement

The Blue Planet

Marine Zones

Marine Zones Near Shore: Past low-tide zone: Sunlight: penetrates the entire portion of water Temperature: warm Pressure: low due to being shallow Water Movement: very active; waves and tides Past low-tide zone: Sunlight: varies due to depth; higher at the surface. Temperature: warmer at surface cooler as you move deeper. Pressure: Gradually increases the deeper you go. Water Movement: Active at surface with waves.

Marine Zones Deep Ocean: Sunlight – no light Temperature - cold Pressure – very high Water Movement - none

Tidal Burrowers

Tidal Suckers – Barnacles

Freshwater Lakes, ponds, streams and rivers Fast moving stream: Conditions: Sunlight: low Temperature: Cool high oxygen levels fast moving water Adaptations: Strong root systems, bendable stems, suckers, streamlined bodies

Freshwater Lakes Conditions: Characteristics: Sunlight: high sunlight Temperature: warmer water high oxygen slow moving water Characteristics: Plants grow around shores Algae and duckweed float on top Fish, ducks, frogs and snakes.

Freshwater

Estuaries Boundary between freshwater and marine Mixture of salt and fresh water Salt marshes, lagoons, mangrove swamps and mouths of rivers. Conditions: Sunlight: high Temperature: warm Pressure: Shallow Water Movement: slow moving Characteristics: “Nurseries” – habitat for young fish and animals Crabs, oysters and fish

Mangrove