Biomes Chapter 6

Section 1- What is a Biome? A large region characterized by a specific type of climate and certain types of plants and animal communities.

Determining Biomes Biomes are described by their vegetation because plants that grow in an area determine the other organisms that can live there.

Climate Biomes are determined by their vegetation, but what determines which plants can live in an area? –Weather conditions, winds, precipitation, temperature, and humidity. –Climate is weather over a long period of time (decades)

Temp. and Precip. The two most important factors. –Most organisms are able to live only within a small temperature range. –All organisms need water, larger ones need more water. (precipitation is the #1 determining factor).

The higher the temps and the more precipitation, the taller and denser the vegetation. Cold to Hot Increasing precipitation

Latitude and Altitude Latitude=distance north or south of the equator, measured in degrees. Altitude=distance above sea level *Climate gets colder as latitude and altitude increase.

Food of the World The majority of the food grown in the world is grown between 30-60° where temperatures are moderate and soil is fertile (temperate forests and grasslands)

Review questions: –Page 145 #1-6

Lesson 6.2- Forest biomes Tropical rain forests Temperate forests Taiga

Tropical Rain Forest Temp.=mild to hot, relatively constant year round Precip.=plentiful Location=around equatorial belt. Always humid and hot with 200cm-450cm of rainfall per year. More species of plant than any other biome.

Soil not fertile because the plants suck nutrients up quickly. Emergent layer=tallest trees Canopy=absorbs up to 95% of the light. Most animals live in this section because they depend on the flowers and fruits growing there.

Understory= smaller plants that require less light. Plants/trees grow less than 3.5 meters tall.

EMERGENT LAYER Upper CANOPY Lower Canopy UNDERSTORY LAYER

Species Diversity Greatest diversity of species. Most animals of the rainforest are specialists= use specific resources to avoid competition.

Threats to the Rainforest Habitat destruction-100 acres per day lost. Loss of culture/traditions- natives of rainforests also losing their habitat…forced to move to cities. Plant/animal loss due to trading…exotic pet trade, plant trade to industry market.

Temperate Rainforests North America, Australia, New Zealand. Similar features to the rainforest. North America’s only temp rainforest is located in the Pacific northwest.

Deciduous Forest Trees drop their leaves in the fall. Located between ° north latitude. Temperature can be drastic between summer (35 °C) and winter (below freezing) cm of rainfall per year. Rich deep soils.

Plants/trees grow in layers like the rainforest. Seasonal changes. Animals are adapted to the foods available. Most of the birds are migratory. Other animals reduce activity or hibernate.

Taiga Northern coniferous forest. Located in a broad band below the Arctic circle. Long winters. Average temps=freezing to -20 °C. Little vegetation on forest floor. Trees seem like straight dead shafts with green tops.

Conifer-tree with seeds that develop in cones. Most conifers do not shed their needle-like leaves. Acidic soils. Many lakes and swamps. Adaptations are many. –Snow shoe hare sheds its brown summer fur to become white in the snowy winter.

Review questions: Page 154 #1-6

Lesson 6.3- Grasslands, Deserts, and Tundra Biomes Savanna Temperate grasslands Chaparral Desert Tundra

Precipitation Less rainfall=forest biomes replaced by savanna, grasslands, and chaparral. Even less rainfall=desert and tundra.

Savanna Tropical and subtropical areas. Grasses, scattered trees, and shrubs. Large variety of grazing animals.

Savanna Wet season, dry season. Some trees and grasses have large horizontal root systems to help obtain water during dry season. Some trees lose leaves during dry season. Trees/shrubs usually have thorns to help protect from predators.

Savanna Migratory animals that follow the rains to newly sprouted grass and water holes. Predators may migrate to follow the migratory herbivores.

Temperate Grasslands Hot summers, cold winters. Most fertile soil of any other biome. Few remain because of farming and grazing. Too little rain for trees.

Temperate Grasslands Roots of prairie grasses are dense layers that survive drought well and hold soils in place. Farming and grazing have changed the grasslands. Cannot hold soil in well…erosion.

Chaparral Type of temperate woodland. Broad-leafed evergreen shrubs. Middle latitudes=30°N and S latitude. Coastal areas. Moderate climate.

Chaparral Low lying shrubs. Small trees that grow in dense patches. Plants with small leathery leaves that retain water.

Chaparral Animals tend to have camouflaging adaptations. Dangers are human development for commercial and residential use…near oceans, moderate climate, lots of sun.

Deserts Driest place on Earth. –Less than 25cm of precip. per year. Usually located near mountains that block precip. May be cold (Gobi in China) or hot (Sahara in Africa).

Deserts Plants have adaptation for obtaining and conserving water. Reptile with leathery skin that retains water. Amphibians that bury below sand during dry season. Mainly nocturnal because of cooler air at night.

Tundra Dominated by grasses, lichen and herbs. Located North of Arctic circle. Short summer. Permafrost=permanently frozen soil…b/c short summer.

Tundra Plants have wide shallow roots. Extremely short vegetation. Migratory birds, caribou, deer, moose, rodents, and some year round natives that shed their summer brown to a winter white fur (arctic fox).

Tundra Threats= food chains small so they are easily disrupted, conditions are extreme so land easily damaged, oil exploration and extraction, pollution caused by spills.

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