21.4 Biomes and Aquatic Ecosystems What are the six major biomes found on Earth? What factors determine the types of biomes found in an area? What do freshwater and marine ecosystems include?
Biomes – Group of land ecosystems with similar climates and organisms Mostly determine by the climate – temperature and precipitation – in an area
Deciduous Forest Biome WE LIVE HERE!!!! Deciduous Trees – shed their leaves and replace them each year Oaks & Maples 50 cm rain/year Organism adaptions – migrate, hibernate
Deciduous Forest Biome Also called Temperate Forest Moderate temperature and rainfall
Tropical Rain Forest At or near the equator Warm & Wet 200 – 400 cm rain/year Forest layers Canopy Understory Abundance of species, especially insects
Tropical Rain Forest
Tropical Rain Forest http://www.brainpop.com/science/earthsystem/tropicalrainforests/
Grassland/Savannah Biome Populated mostly by grasses and other non-woody plants moderate rainfall, 25 to 120 cm rain/year (not enough to support trees) Hot summer, Cold winter Rich fertile soil Also called prairies
Grassland Biomes Home to large herbivores - grazers http://www.brainpop.com/science/earthsystem/savanna/
Desert Biome Receives less than 25 cm rain/year Hot days, cold nights Few plants, cacti Organisms = highly adapted Animals burrow Plants store water
Desert Biomes http://www.brainpop.com/science/earthsystem/deserts/
Taiga Biome Boreal Forest Coniferous trees seeds in cones, needle leaves = spruce, fir Cold winter, mild rainy summer Little water – frozen much of the year
Boreal Forest Biome Squirrels, Moose, Wolves Adaptions = waxy leaves to prevent water loss http://www.brainpop.com/science/earthsystem/taiga/
Tundra Biomes Cold & Dry Less than 25 cm PRECIPITATION/year, snow Permafrost – some soil remains frozen throughout the year NO trees Spring = covered in moss Summer = grasses
Tundra Biome
Mountains Have different climates because of their elevation Top/Peak is colder than base Wet side & dry side because of wind Characteristics of several biomes
Freshwater Ecosystems Includes streams, rivers, lakes, ponds, and wetlands such as swamps, bogs, and marshes
Freshwater Ecosystems Ponds & Lakes – Do not flow over land Lakes = larger, longer lasting Fed by rivers or underground sources Many fish, amphibians, insects, birds nearby
Lake Tahoe = Utah 22 miles x 12 miles 2 to 3 million years old Filled by rivers
Freshwater Ecosystems Rivers and Streams = moving water Change as they move, starts cool and clear and ends warm and murky Adaptions = hooks, suckers to hang on to rocks, swim against currents
Freshwater Ecosystems Wetlands – aquatic and terrestrial Moving and still Some are temporary Always covered to only a few weeks a year Home for many species
Marine Ecosystems Oceans – Salty waters Estuaries – where fresh and saltwater meet Covers over 70% of Earths surface
Marine Ecosystem Intertidal Zone – where ocean meets land Waves, mud, sand, few plants Shorebirds, crabs (burrow)
Marine Ecosystems Ocean zones
Marine Ecosystem Neritic Zone – Shallow waters Seaweed, Algae Hiding for small fish, turtle food Coral Reef – in tropical neritic Coral skeleton Octopus, Squid, Turtles
Marine Ecosystem Oceanic Zone Benthic Zone Deep Ocean Cold and Dark Many fish & marine mammals Benthic Zone Just above floor Sponges, sea stars
http://education-portal.com/academy/lesson/biomes-desert-tropical-rainforest-savanna-coral-reefs-more.html http://www.brainpop.com/science/earthsystem/landbiomes/ http://education-portal.com/academy/lesson/biomes-desert-tropical-rainforest-savanna-coral-reefs-more.html