1. Terrestrial Biomes
Chapter 50
(Part 2)

2. Terrestrial Biomes Large regions of earth
Dependent on Rainfall & Temperature
Characterized by specific vegetation & animal life
Characteristic biomic progression in terrestrial latitude & altitude in a mountain range
Aquatic biomes are very stable due to the high specific heat of water which is due to ________ _____ .

3. Terrestrial Biomes
Tundra Coniferous Forrest Temperate Broadleaf Forest Chaparral Temperate Grassland Savanna Desert Tropical Rain Forest

7. Terrestrial Climograph

8. Tropical Rain Forest Found near to the equator
Abundant rainfall, stable temp., & high humidity
Only cover 4% of the surface, but accounts for 20% of the Earth’s carbon fixation
Most diverse biome
4 vertical zonations – floor, understory, lower canopy, & Dense upper canopy
Canopy prevents most light from reaching floor
Allows rain water to drip down to the floor

9. Vertical Zonation

10. Epiphytes Many trees are covered with epiphytes
Photosynthetic plants that grow on other trees rather than supporting themselves
Not parasites, but may block too much light
thus leading to death of the host plant

11. Desert

12. Desert Insufficient rainfall to even support grass growth
Rainfall < 10 inches
Most extreme temperature fluctuations of any biome
May feature cacti, sagebrush, and other hardy bushes
Some small, temporary plants
Germinate only after rain – only around for a few weeks
CAM plants are common
Most animals are active at night (nocturnal)
During the day - they burrow underground or hide in shade
Reptiles & rodents

13. Savanna Grassland with a few trees Fire is a dominant abiotic factor
Migrating mammals
Plant growth is substantial during rainy season, but adaptations to dry climate

14. Chaparral Mild rainy winters & long, dry summers
Plants are adapted for fires
Shrubs & small trees highly adapted to dry conditions
Southern California & Mediterranean

15. Temperate Grassland
Covers large swaths of land in both the temperate & tropical regions of the world
Characterized by low annual rainfall of seasonal occurrence of rainfall
Inhospitable for trees
or forests
Grazing mammals
bison, gazelle
prairie dogs

16. Temperate Broadleaf Forest
Located Primarily in the Northeast US &
most of Europe

17. Temperate Broadleaf Forest
Also called a Deciduous forest
Seasonal loss of leaves
Many mammals hibernate in the winter
Dense strands of deciduous trees
Shows vertical stratification of plants & animals
Canopy (upper layer) contains 1 or 2 strata of trees
Shrubs are beneath
@ bottom, a herbaceous layer (die at the end of the growing season)
Soil is rich due to decomposition of leaf litter
Squirrels, deer, foxes, & bears

18. Coniferous (Boreal) Forest

19. Coniferous Forest Largest terrestrial biome
Also called “Taiga” or Boreal Forest
Conifers are the most common primary producer
Pine, Spruce, and fir = Christmas trees
Conical shape of leaves prevents snowfall accumulation and subsequent destruction of leaves
Very cold winters
Largest terrestrial biome
Heavy snowfall
Moose, black bear, lynx, elk, & wolverines

20. Tundra Permafrost Commonly referred to as the frozen desert
Frozen subsoil found in the extreme North, such as Alaska
Commonly referred to as the frozen desert
What little rainfall is received cannot penetrate the frozen ground
Appearance of gently rolling plains, dotted with lakes & ponds
Insects are abundant in summer, hence many birds nest in the tundra during the summer

21. Tundra