Biomes

Blue Marble Photograph (pg.6)

Blue Marble Photograph What did you observe in this photograph? What do you wonder about? How can 13 million different species of life exist on Earth? What factors determine whether a species lives in North America or Africa? This picture greatly influenced the environmental movement – why might this be so?

Ecosystem What is an ecosystem? A part of a biome in which abiotic components interact with biotic components Abiotic: non-living components of an environment Ex: sunlight, soil, moisture/precipitation, temperature Biotic: living components/organisms of an environment Ex: plants, animals, fungi, bacteria

Biosphere thin layer of air, land and water on or near Earth’s surface in which all living things on Earth exist Biosphere: thin layer of air, land and water on or near Earth’s surface in which all living things on Earth Exist The biosphere consists of biomes. Each biome contains many ecosystems. Each ecosystem contains habitats in which a variety of organisms live. Figure 1.3 pg. 9

Biome Biome: includes large regions that have similar biotic components and abiotic components 8 terrestrial biomes Tundra Boreal Forest Temperate Rainforest Deciduous Rainforest Grasslands (Temperate and Tropical) Desert Tropical Rainforest Polar Ice (Permanent Ice) Biome: includes large regions that have similar biotic components (similar plants, animals) and similar abiotic components (similar rainfall and temperature Scientists can classify biomes in different ways and sometimes slightly different terminolgy is used however we will classify biomes by the types of vegetation

Observing Patterns in World Biomes Page 11 – Activity 1-1A Work with lab bench partner Write down two patterns you see in the distribution of biomes Use the equator, Tropic of Cancer/Capricorn as reference points in determining distribution patterns Compare with another lab bench In a paragraph, provide an explanation for each of these three patterns based on your general knowledge Create a class list of all the distribution patterns identified – indicate which ones were identified by more than one pair of students – mark the to 3 patterns

Distribution of Biomes Temperature and Precipitation Two of the most important abiotic factors that influence the characteristic of biomes and the distribution of biomes on Earth Types of precipitation: rainfall, snow, mist and fog Giant trees you find in the rainforest of BC would not survive in a hot, dry desert biome Need environments that are cool and wet

Overlap indicates that other factors influence precipitation and temperature such as latitude, elevation and ocean currents

Questions Practice Problems pg. 13 #1-4

Latitude Distance measured in degrees North or South of the Equator Equator = 0o Two hemispheres Affects Temperature and Precipitation

Latitude and Temperature At Equator – sun shines down almost directly overhead Results in 12 hours of sunlight every day of the year Results in little fluctuation in temperature At the tropical zone (between the Tropic of Cancer and the Tropic of Capricorn) Close to the equator, therefore receives more direct sunlight than further North or South latitudes Has warmest temperatures

Latitude and Temperature Temperate Regions and Polar Zones (North or South of the tropical zone) sun rays are at an angle Rays are spread over a greater surface area which results in the rays being less intense The further away from the equator, the lower the temperature

Latitude and Precipitation At Equator Direct sunlight heats the moist air which causes it to rise (evaporation) The moist air cools in the upper atmosphere and then falls back to the earth as rain (condensation) Receives the greatest amount of rainfall Tropical Zone Similar to the equator, the sunlight is mostly direct resulting in lots of rainfall

Latitude and Precipitation Polar Regions Little moisture can be picked up (evaporate) and carried in cold air so clouds do not readily form Little precipitation Temperate Regions Cold air masses from the polar regions collide with warm moist air masses from the tropics Results in seasonal rainfall patterns

Exit Slip Which biome(s) do you know the most about? Which biome(s) are you most interested in learning about and why?

Homework Due tomorrow: Reading Check pg. 12 #1-4