1. TASK: Copy definition into notes:
Do Now 4/27
OBJECTIVE:
Identify and describe the characteristics of major terrestrial and aquatic biomes
TASK: Copy definition into notes:
A biome is a group of ecosystems in the biosphere with similar abiotic and biotic components

2. Our Spirit Week Schedule
Wednesday 4/27 – Biomes (R)
Thursday 4/28 – Ecology Review (R)
Friday 4/29 – Spirit Fair (BJ)
MONDAY 5/2 – ECOLOGY TEST (BJ)

3. So how many biomes are there?
No fixed number
5, 7, 9, or more… depends on how specific you are
We’ll look at 9….

4. What to do?
Complete your chart as we discuss each biome.

5. Terrestrial Biomes Terrestrial biomes are land environments
They are largely defined by patterns of precipitation and temperature.
Terrestrial Biomes

6. Tundra
Tundra comes from the Finnish word tunturia, meaning treeless plain.
Extremely cold climate (covered by ice for > 6 months /yr)
Low biotic diversity
Permafrost
Short season of growth and reproduction
Energy and nutrients in the form of dead organic material
Large population oscillations

7. Taiga
The average temperature is below freezing for six months out of the year
Drier than temperate forest
There are not a lot of species of plants in the taiga because of the harsh conditions. Many coniferous trees. Needle-shaped leaves conserve water
also known as the boreal forest. .

8. Moderate temperature and rainfall
Diversity of plant and animal species, especially deciduous trees (that lose their leaves in the autumn)
Pronounced seasons
Eastern US & Central Europe

9. Temperate Grassland Extremely fertile soil Dominated by grasses
Semi-arid (10 – 30 inches of rain / year)
“midwest”

10. Savanna Hotter & wetter than temperate grassland
warm temperature year round
Dry & Rainy “seasons”
Plants of the savannas are highly specialized to grow in this environment of long periods of drought.
Most of the animals on the savanna have long legs or wings to be able to go on long migrations
Huge areas of savanna are lost to the Sahara desert every year because of overgrazing and farming.

11. Very Dry! (<10 in. / yr)
Usually hot, but defined by precipitation – Antarctica is a desert too!
Specialized plants adapted to low moisture

12. Tropical Rain Forest
abundant precipitation ( > 100 in. / year) and year round warmth.
No seasons: each species has evolved its own flowering and fruiting seasons.
Canopy of tree cover
Most biodiverse biome
Many unique, specialized species

13. Aquatic Biomes
Aquatic biomes are underwater, and there are only two major types:
Freshwater
Marine
Earth is a blue planet:
70% of surface
Majority of organisms
Majority of photosynthesis
Abiogenesis / evolution

14. Freshwater Ecosystems
Lakes, streams, rivers, marshes, and estuaries of all types.
Great variety, due to abiotic factors like:
Salt concentration
Light availability
Dissolved O2, CO2, and other nutrients.
Hypotonic environment.

15. Bull Falls, Shenandoah

16. Marine Ecosystems

17. Biome Review Tundra Taiga Temperate Deciduous Forest
Temperate Grassland
Desert
Savanna
Tropical Rain Forest
Others? (Chaparral)
Freshwater / Marine