1. Biomes
Chapter 6

2. What is a biome?
Biome- large region characterized by a specific type of climate and certain types of organisms.

3. Biomes and Vegetation
Biomes are described by their vegetation because plant species will determine the animal species in an area.
Plants in a biome have adaptations that allow them to survive the climate conditions for that biome.
Ex- size, shape, color, root depth, reproductive strategy

4. Biomes and Climate Climate- weather conditions
Climate determines plants
Two most important factors:
Temperature- most organisms are adapted to live in a range of temperatures. If the temperature get out of the desired range the organism my die.
Precipitation-The larger the organism the more water is needed for growth and survival.

5. Biomes and Climate

6. Biomes and Climate Latitude- distance north or south from the equator.
Altitude- the height of an object above seas level.

7. Forest Biomes

8. Forest Biomes Tropical Rain Forest
Location- around the world near the equator

9. Forest Biomes Tropical Rainforest Precipitation- 200-450 cm per year
Temperature- very warm
Growing season- 12 months
Soil- Poor quality
Leeching washes away nutrients
Plants adapted with buttresses to support the tall trees with shallow root systems.

10. Forest Biomes Tropical Rainforest
Species diversity- greatest amount of diversity
One hectare of land may contain 100 species of trees (compared to only a few species in a temperate forest.)
Insects, amphibians, reptiles, mammals, birds
Threats- Logging and clearing for farm land
7% of earth’s surface (compared to 20% in the past)
Everyday about 100 acres lost

11. Forest Biomes Temperate Rainforest
Location- North America, Australia and New Zealand.
Precipitation cm per year
Temperature- Moderate Temperatures
Growing season months since it rarely gets below freezing.
Soil- Nutrient Rich

12. Forest Biomes
Temperate Deciduous Forest
Location- between 30 and 50 N

13. Forest Biomes Temperate Deciduous Forest
Precipitation cm per year
Temperature- Warm to hot summers and cool to cold winters
Growing season- 4-6 months
Soil- Deep rich soil due to dropping of leaves in the autumn.

14. Forest Biomes Temperate Deciduous Forest
Species diversity- Good Species Diversity
Insects, mammals, birds
Amphibians and reptiles in warmer forest
Threats- Logging and clearing for farm land and urbanization
Forest land has increased as farm land has been abandoned in the U.S. and other countries.
Today more forest exist in Alabama than in 1900.

15. Forest Biomes Taiga (Northern Coniferous Forest or Boreal Forest)
Location- around 50 N

16. Forest Biomes Taiga Precipitation- around 50 cm per year
Temperature- Warm summers and cold harsh winters
Growing season- 50 days to 6 months
Soil- poor quality- very acidic

17. Forest Biomes Taiga Species diversity- Low Species Diversity
Insects, mammals, birds
Plants dominated by conifers
Threats- Acid rain, disease, and logging
Low species diversity allows disease to decimate a forest.

18. Grasslands
Savanna
Location- near equator

19. Grasslands Savannas Precipitation- 50 – 125 cm per year
Wet and dry season
Temperature C
Growing season- during the wet season
Soil- Rich in moist areas and poor in very dry regions

20. Grasslands
Savanna
Species Diversity- relatively diverse (less than rain and deciduous forest)
Plant adaptations- runners, vertical leaves, thorns, drop leaves during the dry season
Insects, mammals, birds
Large migratory grazing herbivores are dominant on the landscape.

21. Grasslands Temperate Grassland Location- around 30 N & S latitude
American Prairie, Russian Steppes, Veldt of South Africa, and Pampas of South America

22. Grasslands Temperate Grasslands Precipitation- 25-75 cm per year
Temperature- Hot summers and cold winters
Growing season- During the warm summer months (latitude will determine the length of summer)
Soil- Rich Soil

23. Grasslands Temperate Grasslands Species Diversity- moderately diverse
Plants-
dense sod forming grasses or bunch grasses
Grasses survive frequent fire
Animals-
Insects, mammals, birds, reptiles
Large migratory grazing animals
Burrowing mammals

24. Grasslands
Temperate Grassland

25. Grasslands
Chaparral- Temperate woodland with scattered tree communities.
Location- Temperate zone near coastal areas

26. Grasslands Chaparral Precipitation- around 30-35 cm per year
Dry summers and wet winters
Temperature- warm summers and mild winters
Growing season- year around
Soil- poor

27. Grasslands Chaparral Species Diversity Threats- Plants- Animals
low-lying, evergreen shrubs and trees
Leathery leaves retain water
Adapted to fire
Animals
camouflage
Threats-
Human development

28. Desert High Desert Hot Desert Location- 30- 60 N & S latitude

29. Desert

30. Desert Desert Precipitation- less than 25 cm per year
Temperature- varies (hot days/cold nights)
Growing season- shortly after rain
Soil- poor (very little humus)

31. Desert Species Diversity- Very Low Plant adaptations
Succulents- thick, fleshy stems and leaves that hold water.
Shallow spreading root system
Short quick growth cycle when rain is available
Animal adaptations
Thick scaly skin holds water
Estivating- burrowing during the hottest part of the day
Nocturnal
Reptiles, Mammals, Birds, insects
Threats- species loss, the amount of desert is increasing word wide.

32. Tundra
Location
Northern polar regions (above 60 N latitude)

33. Tundra Precipitation- Less that 25 cm per year (snow)
Temperature- long cold harsh winters and short mild summers
Growing season- summer (4 months or less)
Soil- Poor (permafrost)

34. Tundra Species Diversity- very low Plant adaptations
Low growing
Shallow roots systems
Quick reproductive cycle
Animal adaptations
Migrate or burrow during winter
Mammals, birds (summer), insects (summer)
Threats
Habitat loss and pollution

35. Tundra

36. Tundra