(c) McGraw Hill Ryerson Biomes The word “biosphere” refers to anywhere on Earth living things exist.  A biome is a region with similar biotic and abiotic components.  Biotic = living things  Abiotic = non-living things (air, water, soil, etc.)  A biome here in BC can be the same as a biome in New Zealand.  If biotic and abiotic conditions are the same, similar biomes can exist far apart. In this course, eight terrestrial biomes will be studied.  Biomes are classified based on many qualities, such as water availability, temperature, and interactions between biotic and abiotic factors.  Boreal forest, desert, grassland, permanent ice, temperate deciduous forest, temperate rainforest, tropical rainforest and tundra. See pages 8 -10

(c) McGraw Hill Ryerson 2007 Factors That Influence the Characteristics and Distribution of Biomes Certain characteristics help to identify biomes.  Temperature and precipitation are two of the most important abiotic factors.  Other factors include latitude, elevation and ocean currents. See pages

(c) McGraw Hill Ryerson 2007 PRACTICE Practice using the graph on page 13 Do Practice Questions 1-4 with your partner Timed activity 2 minutes

(c) McGraw Hill Ryerson 2007 Answers 1. Boreal forest biome; 200cm precipitation, 14*C temperature 2. Temperate deciduous forest; 100 cm precipitation, 0-20*C temperature 3. Tundra biome; very low precipitation, -18 to -8*C temperature 4. Temperate rainforest; high precipitation, 15*C temperature

(c) McGraw Hill Ryerson 2007 Factors That Influence the Characteristics and Distribution of Biomes (continued) Latitude is an abiotic factor that influences biomes.  Latitude is the distance north and south from the equator.  Latitude influences both temperature and precipitation.  The tropical zone has very warm temperatures and high precipitation. The sun shines straight down warm air holds more moisture than cooler air. Elevation also influences biomes.  Higher elevations have less air, and therefore less heat is retained.  Windward sides of mountains are wet, leeward sides are very dry. Ocean currents carry warmth and moisture to coastal areas.  Where warm currents meet land, temperate biomes are found. See pages

(c) McGraw Hill Ryerson 2007 Climatographs Climate refers to the average pattern of weather conditions over a period of several years.  A climatograph shows the average temperature and precipitation for a location over a period of 30 years or more. Biomes are often defined using information in climatographs.  Examine the differences between Tofino and Osoyoos See pages

(c) McGraw Hill Ryerson 2007 Adaptations and Biomes Biomes are often identified with characteristic biotic factors.  For example, a cactus in the desert, or a caribou on the tundra.  Many of these characteristic factors have special adaptations for that biome.  An adaptation is a characteristic that allows an organism to better survive and reproduce. 1.Structural adaptation - a physical feature that helps an organism survive. A wolf has large paws to help it run in snow. 2.Physiological adaptation - a physical or chemical event inside the body of an organism that allows it to survive. A wolf maintains a constant body temperature. 3.Behavioural adaptation - a behaviour that helps an organism to survive. A wolf hunts in packs to capture large prey. See pages

(c) McGraw Hill Ryerson 2007 A Survey of Biomes: Tundra and Boreal Forest See pages

(c) McGraw Hill Ryerson 2007 Tundra vs Boreal TUNDRABOREAL Location: upper northern hemisphere Location: upper northern hemisphere across canada, and across russia, finland, scandinavia Plant Adaptaions: No trees Roots cannot penetrate permafrost Short plants (shield from winds and get more warmth) Short grass, lichens, mosses Have fuzzy coverings on stems Plant Adaptations: Coniferous trees (cone-bearing) Needles on trees to resist water loss, allow snow to fall off easy Few under-story plants

(c) McGraw Hill Ryerson 2007 Cont’d TUNDRABOREAL Animal Adaptations Hares, foxes have compact bodies which reduce heat loss Grow slowly, reproduce less frequently (less energy) Marshy conditions ->summer more insect diversity Animal Adaptations Thick insulating coats (body heat) Change colours of hair to camoglage according to season colours Some migrate away some stay year round Low temperature survival conditions

(c) McGraw Hill Ryerson 2007 A Survey of Biomes: Temperate Deciduous Forest and Temperate Rainforest See pages

(c) McGraw Hill Ryerson 2007 Temperate vs Deciduous Temperate DeciduousTemperate Rainforest Location: Weastern Canada & US Easter Asia, Weastern Europe, Southern Australia & New zealand Location: coast line in South America, north west coat of north America Climate: Temp: 5-25*C Rainfall: 200cm/yr Coastal fog Climate: Temp: *C Rainfall: cm/yr

(c) McGraw Hill Ryerson 2007 Cont’d Temperate Deciduous ForestTemperate Rainforest Physical Features: Drastic seasonal changes 4 distinct seasons Long, warm growing season Bioaccumulation provides nutrients (fallen leaves breaking down on soil) Physical features: Occur on windward side of mountains Large rain fall Along coastlines in narrow strips

(c) McGraw Hill Ryerson 2007 Cont’d Plant Adaptations: Light penetrates layers, under- storey present 4-5 layers of plants 1st layer-tall trees 2nd layr-shorter trees 3rd layer-shrubs 4th layer-ferns, herbs, mosses Plant Adaptations Very tall trees Mosses draped on trees Ferns mosses and fungi survive in the shade blanket on floor Animal Adaptations Many habitats for animals Tree animals and land animals hibernate Animal Adaptations Animals live on forest floor Birds & small mammals eat seeds that have fallen Insects decompose plant matter Birds have long beaks Amphibians sticky tongues

(c) McGraw Hill Ryerson 2007 A Survey of Biomes: Grassland (Temperate and Tropical) See pages

(c) McGraw Hill Ryerson 2007 Temperate vs Tropical Grasslands Temperate grasslandTropical grassland Location: canada, russiaLocation: north, south of equator in Africa, North America, northern Australia Physical Features: Flat land Rich soil; fertile from decaying roots Physical Features: Flat land Less rich b/c of rain High precipitation followed by dry hot days causing grass fires

(c) McGraw Hill Ryerson 2007 Cont’d Plant Adaptations: Trees scarce Grass well adapted for drought (deep roots) Regrow after fire Flexible stalks (do not break from wind) Plant Adaptations Trees scarce Deep root grasses Trees have thorns to prevent animals from eating them for water Bitter, sharp edges Animal Adaptations: Grazing animals, have flat teeth to grind grass Borrowing animals that escape extreme conditions Animal Adaptations: Herds of animals are present Predator-prey relationships

(c) McGraw Hill Ryerson 2007 A Survey of Biomes: Tropical Rainforest and Desert (Hot and Cold) See pages

(c) McGraw Hill Ryerson 2007 Tropical Rainforest vs Desert (Hot and Cold) Tropical RainforestDesert (Hot and Cold) Location: Around equator, and both tropics Location: Kalahari, sahara of africa, Physical Features: Nutrient deficient soil Rain washes minerals away dark understory Physical Features: Salty soils in warm D Snow as precipitation Little water erosion

(c) McGraw Hill Ryerson 2007 Cont’d Plant Adaptations: Largest # of plant species Shurbs adapted to shade in understorey Tall trees (canopy) Plants grow on tall trees Plant Adaptation: Few plants Fleshy stems conserving water Roots extend deep Spines Animal Adaptations: Adapted to live in trees Adapted to particular foods or habitats(poisons, colour) Animal Adaptations: Thick skin reptiles

(c) McGraw Hill Ryerson 2007 A Survey of Biomes: Permanent Ice (Polar Ice) See pages 28 Take the Section 1.1 Quiz

(c) McGraw Hill Ryerson 2007 Polar Ice

(c) McGraw Hill Ryerson 2007 Hierarchy