Happy Thursday! – 10/6 What is a pattern of change that occurs on a surface where an ecosystem has previously existed? A primary succession B secondary succession C tertiary succession D climax community

Chapter 6 - Biomes Sec 1: What is a Biome?

Biome Earth is covered by many types of ecosystems which ecologist groups these into larger areas called biomes. A biome is a large region characterized by a specific type of climate and certain type of plants and animal communities. Each biome is made up of many individual ecosystems.

Biomes and Vegetation Biomes are described by their vegetation because plants that grow in an area determine the other organisms that can live there. Plants in a particular biome have characteristics, specialized structures, or adaptations that allows the plants survive in that biome. Adaptations such as size, shape, and color. Ex. Plants in tundra are short because cannot get enough water to grow larger

Biomes and Climate Climate is main factor that determines which plants can grow in a certain area. Climate refers to the weather conditions, such as temperature, precipitation, humidity, and winds, in an area over a long period of time.

Temperature and Precipitation The climate of a biome is determined by average temperature and precipitation. Precipitation also limits the organisms that are found in a biome.

Latitude and Altitude Biomes, climate, and vegetation vary with latitude and altitude. Latitude is the distance north or south of the equator and is measured in degrees. Altitude is the height of an object above sea level. Climate also gets colder as latitude and altitude increase.

Happy Monday! – 10/10 Which of the following terms describes the height of object above sea level? A longitude B latitude C altitude D climate

Chapter 6 - Biomes Sec 2: Forest Biomes

Tropical Rain Forests Located in the belt around the Earth near equator Help regulate world climate Play vital roles in nitrogen, oxygen, and carbon cycles

Tropical Rain Forests Always humid and warm Receive about 200-450 cm of rain a year Get strong sunlight and maintain constant temperature Most nutrients are found within plants, not soil

4 Layers of Rain Forest Emergent Layer – top layer; tallest trees (60-70 m) and animals such as eagles, bats, monkeys, and snakes Upper Canopy – tall trees (>30 m) form dense layer that absorbs up to 95% of sunlight

4 Layers of Rain Forest Lower Canopy – receives less light; plants called epiphytes use entire surface of a tree as a place to live Understory – very little light; trees and shrubs (<3.5 m) have adapted to shade *Most animals that live in rainforest live in canopy because dependence upon flowers and fruits

Species Diversity in Rain Forests Tropical rain forest is the biome with greatest amount of species diversity. The diversity of the vegetation has led to the evolution of a diverse community of animals.

Threats to Rain Forests Tropical rain forests once covered ~20% of Earth’s surface and now only cover ~7%. Every minute of every day, 100 acres of tropical rain forest are cleared for logging operations, agriculture, or oil exploration. Plants and animals are also threatened by trading. Exotic- pet trading gain huge profits.

Happy Wednesday! – 10/12 Thin soil, high humidity, and high rainfall represent a A tropical rain forest. B temperate rain forest. C desert. D grassland.

Temperate Rain Forests Occurs in North America, Australia, and New Zealand. Have large amounts of precipitation, high humidity, and moderate temperatures

Temperate Rain Forests Pacific Northwest has tree branches draped with mosses, tree trunks covered in lichens, and forest floor blanked with lush ferns. Evergreen trees are 90 m tall.

Temperate Deciduous Forests Located between 30° and 50° north latitude Range of temperatures can be extreme due to changing seasons and growing season only lasts for 4-6 months. Receive 75-125 cm of precipitation annually

Plants of Temperate Deciduous Forests Grow in layers like the tropical rain forests Tall trees (maple, oak, birch) dominate canopy. Small trees and shrubs cover understory. Plants have adapted to seasonal changes like the trees losing their leaves in the fall.

Animals of Temperate Deciduous Forests Animals are adapted to using the forest plants for food and shelter. Squirrels eat the nuts, seeds, and fruits in treetops. Bears feast on leaves and berries of forest plants. Most birds are migratory. Mammals and insects reduce their activity for surviving harsh winters.

Taiga Northern coniferous forest that stretches across Northern Hemisphere just below Arctic Circle Winters are long (6-10 months) and have average temperatures below freezing.

Taiga Forest floor is dark and has little vegetation. Many trees seem like straight, dead shafts of bark and wood but have green tops. Growing season as short as 50 days. Plant growth abundant during summer due to nearly constant sunlight and lots of rainfall.

Plants of the Taiga Conifer is a tree that has seeds that develop in cones. Leaves’ narrow shape and waxy coating retain water for the tree to survive the winter. Conifer needles contain substances that make the soil acidic when needles fall to the ground which most plants cannot grow in acidic soil.

Animals of the Taiga Has many lakes and swamps that attract birds in the summer to feeds on insects, fish, and other aquatic organisms Shrews and rodents may burrow underground during winter.

Animals of the Taiga Moose and snowshoe hares eat any vegetation. Snowshoe hares shed brown summer fur and grow white fur to avoid predation by lynxes, wolves, and foxes.

Sec 3: Grassland, Desert, and Tundra Biomes Chapter 6 - Biomes Sec 3: Grassland, Desert, and Tundra Biomes