Terrestrial Biomes Chapter 50 (Part 2)

Terrestrial Biomes Large regions of earth Dependent on Rainfall & Temperature Characterized by specific vegetation & animal life Characteristic biomic progression in terrestrial latitude & altitude in a mountain range Aquatic biomes are very stable due to the high specific heat of water which is due to ________ _____ .

Terrestrial Biomes Tundra Coniferous Forrest Temperate Broadleaf Forest Chaparral Temperate Grassland Savanna Desert Tropical Rain Forest

Terrestrial Climograph

Tropical Rain Forest Found near to the equator Abundant rainfall, stable temp., & high humidity Only cover 4% of the surface, but accounts for 20% of the Earth’s carbon fixation Most diverse biome 4 vertical zonations – floor, understory, lower canopy, & Dense upper canopy Canopy prevents most light from reaching floor Allows rain water to drip down to the floor

Vertical Zonation

Epiphytes Many trees are covered with epiphytes Photosynthetic plants that grow on other trees rather than supporting themselves Not parasites, but may block too much light thus leading to death of the host plant

Desert

Desert Insufficient rainfall to even support grass growth Rainfall < 10 inches Most extreme temperature fluctuations of any biome May feature cacti, sagebrush, and other hardy bushes Some small, temporary plants Germinate only after rain – only around for a few weeks CAM plants are common Most animals are active at night (nocturnal) During the day - they burrow underground or hide in shade Reptiles & rodents

Savanna Grassland with a few trees Fire is a dominant abiotic factor Migrating mammals Plant growth is substantial during rainy season, but adaptations to dry climate

Chaparral Mild rainy winters & long, dry summers Plants are adapted for fires Shrubs & small trees highly adapted to dry conditions Southern California & Mediterranean

Temperate Grassland Covers large swaths of land in both the temperate & tropical regions of the world Characterized by low annual rainfall of seasonal occurrence of rainfall Inhospitable for trees or forests Grazing mammals bison, gazelle prairie dogs

Temperate Broadleaf Forest Located Primarily in the Northeast US & most of Europe

Temperate Broadleaf Forest Also called a Deciduous forest Seasonal loss of leaves Many mammals hibernate in the winter Dense strands of deciduous trees Shows vertical stratification of plants & animals Canopy (upper layer) contains 1 or 2 strata of trees Shrubs are beneath @ bottom, a herbaceous layer (die at the end of the growing season) Soil is rich due to decomposition of leaf litter Squirrels, deer, foxes, & bears

Coniferous (Boreal) Forest

Coniferous Forest Largest terrestrial biome Also called “Taiga” or Boreal Forest Conifers are the most common primary producer Pine, Spruce, and fir = Christmas trees Conical shape of leaves prevents snowfall accumulation and subsequent destruction of leaves Very cold winters Largest terrestrial biome Heavy snowfall Moose, black bear, lynx, elk, & wolverines

Tundra Permafrost Commonly referred to as the frozen desert Frozen subsoil found in the extreme North, such as Alaska Commonly referred to as the frozen desert What little rainfall is received cannot penetrate the frozen ground Appearance of gently rolling plains, dotted with lakes & ponds Insects are abundant in summer, hence many birds nest in the tundra during the summer

Tundra