1. Notes on Biomes

2. Biomes
Biomes: A large group of ecosystems that share the same type of climax community

3. A.) Aquatic Marine or Salt Water: Fresh Water:
Photoic zone- area under that sunlight can pass through
Aphotic zone- area under water that sunlight cannot pass through
Fresh Water:
Temparature variations within a lake are abiotic factors which limit the kinds of organisms that can survive in deep lakes.
Population density is lower in deeper waters
Decay takes place in the bottom of lakes and leads to succession
Estuary or fresh/salty water:
Very few organisms live in this mixed environment.

4. B.) Terrestrial Tundra:
Land with long summer days and short periods of winter sunlight
Temperatures never rise above freezing for long
Topsoil is so thin it can only support shallow rooted grasses and other small plants
Process of decay is slow
Short growing season is a limiting factor.

5. B.) Terrestrial
2. Taiga
Also known as boreal forest and northern coniferous forest
Just south of the Tundra
A little warmer/wetter than Tundra but still harsh
Abundance of trees allows more shelter for animals

6. B.) Terrestrial 3. Desert Driest biome
Arid region with almost non-existent plant life
Precipitation usually less than 25 cm annually
Vegetation depends on amount of rainfall a particular desert gets
Plants have spines, thorns, or poisons to discourage
The cactus has a thick waxy layer that prevents water loss
Most mammals are small herbivores that stay under cover during heat of the day and come out at night to eat plants (nocturnal)

7. B.) Terrestrial 4. Grassland Also known as parries or savannas
Large areas covered with grasses and small plants
Summers are hot and rainfall is often
Gets cm of precipitation
Occupies more area that any terrestrial biome
Higher biological diversity than deserts
Ideal to grow cereal grains (wheat, barley, oats)
Large herds of grazing animals

8. B.) Terrestrial
5. Forest
Consist mostly of broad leafed hand wood trees that lose their foliage annually
Precipitation ranges from cm annually
Topsoil rich in humans and a deeper layer of clay
Diverse plant and animal life
North Carolina is made up mainly of this biome

9. B.) Terrestrial 6. Tropical Rain Forest
Home to more species than any other biome
Year round growing conditions with many habitats
Warm temperatures, wet weather, lush plant growth
Warmer because they are near the equator
Precipitation ranges from cm annually
Most of the nutrients are tied up in living material, not in the soil.