Habitat Diversity What is the link between Evolution & Adaptation, & the diversity of Habitats found on Earth?

The geographic distribution of terrestrial biomes is based mainly on regional variations in climate

Climograph: What are the main climatic variables for biomes?

The Nature of Biomes focus on structure of vegetation – not species composition climatic regimes cause particular adaptations in plants, animals, etc. biomes characterized by the dominant life forms that come about in response to different environments

Tropical forests: close to the equator, no seasons or only slight receive high rainfall (usually) diverse plant and animal life Forest structure = layered; most trees = ?

Savannas: grasslands with scattered trees have distinct wet & dry seasons structure = open, wide-spaced trees abundant grazing animals & their predators

Deserts: low rainfall hot temperatures vegetation sparse… many animals adaptations to avoid heat

Chaparral: mild wet winters & dry hot summers (“Mediterranean”) contain dense spiny, evergreen shrubs have periodic fires many plant adaptations to fire

Temperate grasslands: seasonal drought occasional fires dominated by what kinds of vegetation? What kinds of animals should be expected?

Temperate deciduous forests: have very cold winters and hot summers house dense, diverse forests trees adaptations to climate? humans have logged many of these forests around the world.

Coniferous forests: largest terrestrial biome on earth long cold winters and short wet summers conifers found here = adapted to the climate conifer forests home to various animals, some of which hibernate

Tundra: climate windy and cold; causes short growing season layer of permafrost found below 1 meter and does not thaw - prevents root growth Plant adaptations required? not many animals live in tundra biomes; what adaptations? two types: Arctic - found in areas of Alaska and Arctic circle Alpine - found on very high mountaintops

Arctic Tundra