Understanding Biomes Bryn Zipp Honors Biology Mrs. Gottshall

What is a Biome?  An ecosystem of specific plants and animals.  The plants and animals exist there due to the favorable climate/conditions.  Classified in broad terms and listed as five biomes.

Five Biomes 1. Aquatic biome 2. Desert biome 3. Forest biome 4. Grassland biome 5. Tundra biome

Aquatic Biome  Water makes up 75 percent of the earth.  Two regions : 1. Freshwater and 2. Marine biomes

Freshwater Regions  Ponds and lakes  Streams and rivers  Wetlands

Differences in types of Freshwater Regions  Water temperature  Water in motion  Depth of water  And salt concentration

Freshwater Species Plants  Algae  Aquatic plants  Hydrophytes  Pond lilies  Cattails  Cypress Animals  Floating snails  Clams  Amphibians  Insects  Fish  Snakes  Ducks

Marine Regions  Oceans  Coral reefs  Estuaries

Differences in types of Marine Regions  Water temperature  Water depths  Salt concentrations

Marine Species Plants  Seaweed  Algae  Marsh grasses Animals  Snails and crabs  Many Fish species  Sponges and starfish  Oysters and worms  Mammals – whales and dolphin

Desert Biome Types 1. Hot and dry 2. Semiarid 3. Coastal 4. Cold

Hot and Dry Desert Climate  Average temperature is 120 degrees  Can be rainless for up to a year Plants and Animals  Ground shrubs, short trees, like cacti, yuccas, and prickly pears  Burrowers, reptiles, birds, and insects

Semiarid Desert Climate  Temperatures range from 100 degrees during the day and 50 degrees at night  Receives 2 inches of rainfall a year Plants and Animals  Plants such as cat claw, brittle bushes, and jujube  Jack rabbits, skunks, grasshoppers, lizards, and burrowing owls

Coastal Desert Climate  Temperatures can range from 66 F in the Summer and 41 F or below in the Winter  Average rainfall around 4 inches a year Plants and Animals  Plants such as salt bush, rice grass, and sage  Toads, coyotes, badgers, great horned owls, and eagles

Cold Deserts Climate  Average Summer temperatures 73 degrees F and Winter is 32 degrees F  Heavy rain in the Spring months Plants and Animals  Plants are everywhere and cover 10 to 85 % of the ground  Kangaroo, antelope, kit fox, and coyotes

Forest Biome 1. Tropical 2. Temperate 3. Boreal

Tropical Forest Climate  Average temperature is 77 degrees through all seasons  Annual rainfall exceeds 78 inches Plants and Animals  Mostly all evergreen trees, orchids, vines, ferns, mosses, and palm trees  Small mammals, bats, and insects

Temperate Forest Climate  Temperature ranges from negative 22 to 86 degrees  A distinct winter and half the year experiences frost Plants and Animals  Oak, Hickory, Maple, Elm, and Willow trees  Squirrels, rabbits, deer, mountain lions, bobcats, and even black bear

Boreal Forest Climate  Seasons are a short warm summer and cold long winte r  Most precipitation is mostly snowfall, up to 40 inches a year Plants and Animals  Pine, Fur, and Spruce trees  Woodpeckers, hawks, moose, bear, weasels, and chipmunks

Grassland Biomes 1. Savanna- 2. Temperate-

Savanna Grassland Climate  It is always hot and the rainfall is approximately 50 inches a year  Rain only occurs 6 to 8 months a year, other months are very dry Plants and Animals  Most vegetation is big leafed plants and variety of shrubs  Giraffe, buffalo, kangaroo, moles, and snakes

Temperate Grassland Climate  Summer temperatures around 100 degrees F to -40 degrees F  Rainfall is less than 20 inches a year Plants and Animals  Covered with grasses, sunflowers, and clovers  Gazelles, zebras, horses, lions, prairie dogs, and rhinoceroses

Tundra Biome 1. Arctic- 2. Alpine-

Arctic Tundra Climate  Precipitation including melting snow is around 10 inches a year  Found near the North Pole, making it very cold Plants and Animals  Short seasons of growth for plants  Animals have adapted such as: polar bears, arctic foxes, arctic hares, and many types of fish

Alpine Tundra Climate  Temperatures stay below freezing  Approximately 180 days of the growing season Plants and Animals  Tussock grasses, and small trees  Marmots, mountain goats, sheep, elk, and grouse like birds

More About Biomes  Biomes can move as the environment changes.  If the species cannot adapt they become extinct and new forms grow and flourish.  The biomes are continuously harmed by oil spills, chemical waste pollution, forest fires, removal of trees for lumber, and damaging the ozone layer.