1. Chapter 6
Section 1

2. The World’s Major Terrestrial Biomes

3. Abiotic Influences of an Ecosystem
The two most significant abiotic factors that influence life in a biome are temperature and precipitation.

4. As the latitude, or distance away from the equator, increases, average temperature tends to decrease.

5. Temperature and Precipitation

6. Latitude and Altitude
As latitude and altitude increase, biomes and vegetation change.
Trees of tropical rainforests usually grow closer to the equator, while mosses and lichen of the tundra grow closer to the poles.
The temperate region includes biomes such as temperate forests and grasslands, which usually have moderate temperatures and fertile soil that is ideal for agriculture.

7. Latitude is measured in degrees north or south of the equator.

8. As the altitude, or elevation from sea level increases, average temperatures decrease.

9. Latitude and Altitude

10. In addition to changing altitude, the presence of mountains has a major influence on the distribution of precipitation.
As warm, moist air travels up a mountain range, the air cools (due to altitude) and the moisture condenses.

11. As a result, the windward side of the mountain facing the incoming air currents receives disproportionately more precipitation than the opposite, leeward side.
This is called the rain shadow effect.

12. Climatographs
A climatograph is a combination precipitation and temperature graph for a given biome.
The average montly precipitation for the area is displayed as a bar graph.
The average monthly temperature is displayed as a line graph.

13. Quick
Review

14. SECTION 6.1 WHAT IS A BIOME?
A biome is a large region characterized by two factors: climate and plant life.
Climate is the weather conditions (temperature and precipitation) in an area over a long period of time.

15. PLANT LIFE
The two main factors that determines what type of plants grow in a biome are temperature and precipitation.

16. LATITUDE VS. ALTITUDE LATITUDE ALTITUDE
the distance north or south of the equator measured in degrees.
the height of an object above sea level.