Did you ever wonder....  How cacti can survive the hot climate of the desert?  Thick, waxy coat to prevent the loss of water through transpiration

Biomes Unit 5: Biosphere Ms. Thind

Biome  Planetary ecosystem that has evolved under certain climatic conditions  Varieties of plant and animal species  8 major biomes  Each unique due to temperature and precipitation differences

Ice cap  Regions covered in ice: Greenland, Antarctica

Tundra  Polar regions  Climate conditions: long, cold winters, short summers.  Plant species: mosses, lichens, spring flowers  Plants have adapted to cold conditions by growing close to the ground and remaining dormant

Tundra  Animal species: snow owl, polar bear and during migration periods: caribou and deer  Permafrost layer in soil. Due to summer melt  lakes and ponds  abundance of insects and mosquitos.  brings many bird species during summer months

Threats to the Tundra:  Oil and gas development in Alaska  Melting of permafrost  more lakes/ponds/more insects disrupting the food chain  Air pollution  mosses and lichens dying a vital producer

Coniferous Forest  Coniferous evergreen forests of the northern hemisphere  Climate: winter very cold, warm summers, rainfall mostly in summer, conditions due to lack of ocean influence  Plant species: trees: cedar, fir spruce, hemlock (in areas of high precipitation), pine in drier locations.

Coniferous Forest  Layer of decaying evergreen needles  makes soil acidic = limited number of species of plants  Conifers can thrive in top layer of acidic soil  Trees are referred to as: microtherms- able to survive in low temperatures  Animal Species: moose, bears, elk, coyotes, beetles, squirrels, and deer

Temperate Rainforest  Coast of Pacific NW  Climate conditions: westerly winds bring moisture from Pacific, ocean influence moderates temperature  Plant species: Coniferous trees, cedar trees (in areas of abundant rainfall), ferns and shrubs, mossy forest floor

Threats to Coniferous and Temperate Rainforests:  Clear cutting  Urban development

Grassland or Savannas  Exist from tropical areas to N and S temperate regions  In areas where rainfall is too low for trees  Grasses can reach 10m  Tropical grasslands - Climate conditions: 6 months of wet weather, 6 months of dry weather (tropical wet/dry) - large herds of grazing animals: elephants, zebra, lions

Grassland or Savannas  Temperate Grassland: developed in semi- arid regions: The PrairiesSteppePampasVeld North AmericaRussia to China ArgentinaSouth Africa -In rainshadow of the Rockies -Was home to herds of bison, elk, antelope - Short grasses - Supports varieties of grasslands -Supports several grass varieties -Large number of herbivores

Threats to Grassland Biomes:  Tropical savannas: frequent fires in dry season, grazing animals at risk from hunters  Human activity: mining, national parks, tourism and urban developments.  Human usage of the savanna biome is increasing  degradation of vegetation and soil resource  The prairies: grassland gone due to cultivation

Temperate Deciduous Forest  Eastern NA, Great Lakes area, parts of Western Europe  Climate conditions: cold winters, warm springs, hot summers  Plant species: oak, beech, maple, hickory

Temperate Deciduous Forest  Trees lose their leaves as winter approaches  Leaf litter adds nutrients to soil annually  When spring reaches soil is exposed to the sun and variety of wild flowers grow  Animal Species: deer, racoons, coyote, squirrels, insects, birds

Chaparral, Maquis, or Sclerophyll  Found in Mediterranean type climate  Climate conditions: hot, dry summers, mild and wet winter temperatures  Plant species: manzanita, mountain mahogany, scrub oak with thick bark and leathery leaves  Schlerophyll: plant type that has adapted to hot, dry conditions of the Mediterranean

Chaparral, Maquis, or Sclerophyll  All schlerophylls have hard leaves and thorns to prevent water loss through transpiration  Scherophyll forests: small trees, olive, tea and acacia trees

Threats  Natural and human induced forest fires in dry shrub land areas  Housing development is increasing the number of landslides b/c of the removal of chaparral vegetation

Desert and Semi-Desert 1. Hot deserts. Climate conditions: ° N and S of equator, high temperature all year round, little vegetation. 2. Temperate deserts. Farther from equator, hot summers, mild winters, short cold spell. 3. Cold deserts. Hot summers, cold winters eg: Gobi Desert in the heart of Asia

Desert and Semi Desert  Desert biomes have vegetation that has adapted to dry conditions  Plant species: Xerophyte: drought loving plants  eg: cacti  Animal species: snakes, lizards, hawks, vultures, rabbits, mice

How do plants and animals adapt to dry conditions?  Plants have deep roots to tap into to get moisture deep under the sand  Waxy coat on plants limits transpiration  Extensive network of roots to collect water during short rainfall periods  Some animals have thick skin to minimize moisture loss

Tropical Rainforest  Tropical low pressure belt  Climate conditions: wet and high temperatures all year round  Plant species: megatherms- plants that need constant heat, most of the vegetation is called tropical deciduous forest  Lianas: hanging vines

Tropical Rainforest  Tall trees create a canopy that blocks sunlight for shade tolerant plant species below  Trees have shallow root systems because of the abundance of rainfall  Tall trees have buttress roots to give them extra support to compete for sunlight

Tropical Rainforest  clear cutting  Deforestation  degradation of soil  soil in rainforest is only rich due to leaf litter on the ground  once trees have been cleared the soil will remain nutrient for a few years  burning of forests