2. Objectives: I CAN … Analyze the environments and the interdependence among organisms found in the world’s major biomes. THE WORLD’S MAJOR BIOMES I CAN … Identify the biotic and abiotic elements of the major biomes.

3. Think about it… 1) What’s the difference between a biome and an ecosystem? 2) How would you define an animal adaptation?

4. Biomes & Adaptations An ecosystem is the interaction of living (biotic) and non- living (abiotic) things in an environment. An ecosystem can be large or small. (Remember the Five Levels of Environmental Organization?) A biome is a large geographic area defined by characteristic climate features, plant and animal life. Biomes are generally found in bands of latitude around the planet. The have similar biotic and abiotic factors. The organisms living in a particular biome have adapted to the terrain and weather of that region. An adaptation is a way an organism’s physical features or behavior.

5. World’s Major Biomes

6. Tropical Rainforest Located near equator Covers less than 2% of Earth’s total surface area, but home to 50% of Earth’s plants and animals. Greatest biodiversity: Home to 15 million species of plants and animals Endangered Biome – threatened by mining and logging practices

7. Abiotic Factors Warm temps and high rainfall allow a lot of plant growth Average temperatures: Day 34 * C/93 F Night 20 * C/68 F Average yearly rainfall up to 400 cm (157.5 in) Less than 1 cm of topsoil Sunlight is a limiting factor Little light reaches ground Tropical Rainforest

8.  Plants grow in 4 layers: forest floor, understory, canopy, and emergent layer  Trees form a continuous green roof or canopy  Canopy prevents sunlight reaching floor  Soil so thin plants have shallow, wide roots.  Some plants have roots above ground for support  Most of nutrients are found in the plants not the soil Tropical Rainforest Plant Adaptations Examples: bamboo, banana trees, orchids, insect-eating pitcher plants

9.  Many symbiotic relationships  Animals adapt to living on their forest level Poison Arrow Frog Tree sloth’s fur covered in algae Tropical Rainforest Animal Adaptations Behavior Structural (physical) Camouflage Toucan’s long beak can snag hard to reach fruit ? ? ? ? Why do animals need adaptations?

10. Temperate Deciduous Forests Location:  Found in temperate zone (about 48 0 north latitude)  Much of the human population lives in this biome

11.  Characterized by an abundance of deciduous (leaf bearing) trees  4 seasons  Leaves change color and fall off  Soils: Deep soil layers, rich in nutrients  Average yearly rainfall:  75 cm to 125 cm (29.5 in. to 49 in.)  Average Temps:  Summer 28 * C (82 F)  Winter 6 * C (43 F) Temperate Deciduous Forests Abiotic Factors

12. More diversity in the deciduous forest vs. the coniferous forest due to increased sunlight. Trees adapt to varied climate by becoming dormant in winter White Birch Lady Fern Geulder Rose Temperate Deciduous Forest Plant Adaptations Deciduous forests grow in layers More sunlight reaches the ground compared to a rainforest so you will find more ground dwelling plants.

13.  Lose Winter Coat  Adapt to many seasons  Eat from different layers of the forest  Physical features Turtle Temperate Deciduous Forest Animal Adaptations Bald Eagle Fox

14. Coniferous Forest a.k.a. Taiga Location: Found only in Northern Hemisphere

15. Coniferous Forest Abiotic factors  Average Yearly Rainfall  35 cm to 75 cm  (14 in to 29.5 in)  Soil poor in nutrients and very acidic  Trees prevent sunlight from reaching ground  Average temperatures:  Summer 14 * C / 57 * F  Winter -10 * C / 14 * F

16. Balsam Fir  Coniferous (needle-bearing) trees are abundant – produces seeds in cones  Roots long to anchor trees  Needles long, thin with waxy coating  Low sunlight and poor soil keeps plants from growing on forest floor Fireweed Coniferous Forest Plant adaptations Waxy coating helps tree conserve water protects needles from cold weather stay green all year, do not loose leaves

17. Moose fur traps air to act as an insulator  Adapt for cold winters  Burrow, hibernate, warm coat, insulation, etc.  Some birds migrate south Snowshoe Hares change fur color each season Bears hibernate underground Animal Adaptations Coniferous Forest

18. Grasslands Two kinds: Temperate Grasslands and Savannas Made up of mainly grasses, small flowering plants, and few trees.

19. Savannas Contains the greatest number of grazing animals on Earth Location: Found in the tropics…near equator Amount of precipitation supports tall grasses but only occasional trees

20. Savannas Abiotic Factors Two seasons: Wet and dry season (Fires occur often in dry season) Average yearly rainfall: 150 cm (59 in.) Average Temperatures: Dry season 34 * C (93 * F) Wet season 16 * C (61 * F)

21. Whistling Thorn Umbrella Thorn Acacia Savannas Plant Adaptations  Grows in Tufts  Resistance to Drought  Many plants have thorns and sharp leaves to protect against predators. Kangaroos Paws Baobab tree

22. Adapt for short rainy season migration Limited food leads to vertical feeding (trees) Live in herds (Zebras striped pattern makes hard for lion to pick single zebra from group) Camouflage Savannas Animal Adaptations

23. Temperate Grasslands Prairies and Steppes ABIOTIC FACTORS  Average yearly rainfall: 25 cm to 75 cm (10 in to 29.5 in)  Characteristic high Winds  Average temperatures: Summer 30 * C (86 * F) Winter 0 * C (32 * F)

24. Sod-forming grasses that won’t dry out or blow away in wind. Fleabane Buffalo Grass Grasslands (Prairie) Plant Adaptations

25. Many adaptations to survive extremes Prairie dog front paws can dig easily to hide underground Prairie Rattlesnake What is its adaptation? Grasslands (Prairie) Animal Adaptations Bison Broad, flat topped teeth to chew grasses Some animals nocturnal for protection

26. Desert BIOME Very hot Very dry Organisms have special adaptations

27. Desert Abiotic factors  Less than 10 in/year of rain  Little to no topsoil due to high winds  Minerals not deep in soil  Too dry for decay Average Temperatures: Summer 38* C (100* F) Winter 7* C (45* F)

28. Joshua Tree Desert Plant Adaptations:  Spines  Cactuses store water  Thick, waxy cuticle  Shallow, broad roots near surface to take up water quickly after rain Barrel Cactus Ocotollio

29. Desert Animal Adaptations:  Get water from food  Thick outer coat  Burrow underground during day  Large ears  Nocturnal – active at night  Some animals have salt glands to secrete salt without a loss of water Jackrabbit Thorny Devil drinks water through its skin

30. http://www.runet.edu/~swoodwar/CLASSES/GEOG235/biomes/tundra/tundra.html Tundra Very cold temperatures and very little rainfall. TWO TYPES: Polar Tundra (a.k.a. Arctic) Alpine Tundra Polar Tundra is found near North and South Poles. Alpine Tundra is found at the tops of tall mountains.

31. Tundra Abiotic Factors  Average Yearly Rainfall 30 cm to 50 cm (12 in to 20 in)  Average Temps: Summer 12 * C (54 * F)  Winter -26 * C (-15 * F)  Permafrost – layer of soil below surface stays frozen  Summer melting - soil becomes very muddy

32. Plant Adaptations Tundra  Growing close to the ground helps resist wind and cold  Shallow roots to absorb the limited water resources Above elevation called “tree line” (trees cannot grow on a mountain) cotton grass

33. Migration & hibernation Few predators Little Competition Small ears reduces heat loss Insulation, thick coat Arctic fox Tundra Animal Adaptations Polar Bears can close their nostrils to swim underwater Mountain goat has rough pads on each toe provides grip ?

34. Putting it together BIOME PROJECT – Total of SIX Biomes Create poster presentations to illustrate differences among the world’s major biomes. Coniferous Forest FOR EACH BIOME: Temperate Deciduous Forest Colored Illustration includes: Alpine or Polar Tundra 2 abiotic & 2 biotic factors Tropical Rain Forest Write 2 interesting facts Desert Describe 2 organisms adaptations Grasslands: Temperate Grasslands or Savannas