Biomes Biome A group of ecosystems with similar

Biomes

Biome • A group of ecosystems with similar climates and organisms • Climate conditions, temperature, and rainfall determine the biome of an area

Rain Forest Biome • Tropical Rain Forests • Found in warm regions close to the equator • Temperate rain forests

Rain Forest Biome Tropical Rain Forests • • • Found in warm regions close to the equator Receive a lot of rain The warm temperatures do not vary throughout the year and sunlight is constant They contain more species of plants and animals than all other land biomes combined Canopy – Tall trees form a leafy roof – 1 st layer of the rainforest • Understory – 2 nd layer – Short trees and vines – Plants here grow well in the shafe formed by the canopy Temperate Rain Forests • Temperate means moderate • These areas have moderate temperatures • They resemble a tropical rain forest in some ways – Receive lots of rain each year – Huge trees grow here; cedar, redwoods

Desert Biome • An area that receives less than 25 cm of rain per year – The amount of evaporation is greater than the amount of precipitation • They have large shifts of temperature throughout the course of the day – Scorching hot in the morning and freezing at night • Organisms that live in this biome are adapted to the lack of rain and extreme temperatures – Many animals are active at night when it is cool

Grassland Biome • Prairies are examples • It receives more rain than a desert, but not enough for many trees to grow • Grassland – Receives between 25 and 75 cm of rain each year – Populated by grasses and other non woody plants • Savanna – A grassland that is located close to the equator – Receives as much as 120 cm of rain per year – Scattered shrubs, small trees, and grasses grow • Grasslands are home to many of the largest animals on Earth – Examples: bison, antelope, zebra, rhinoceros, giraffe, kangaroo • These animals keep young trees and bushed from sprouting and competing with the grass for sunlight and water

Deciduous Forest Biome • Deciduous trees – Shed their leaves and grow new ones each year – Examples: oak, maple • This biome receives enough rain to support the growth of trees and plants • Temperatures vary during the year • The growing season lasts 5 to 6 months • Different plants grow to different heights • The variety of plants creates different habitats • Some species of animals include – White-tailed deer, black bears, opossums, mice, skunk • In the winter the birds migrate to warmer areas and some of the mammals hibernate

Boreal Forest Biome • Contains coniferous trees – Produce their seeds in cones and have leaves shaped like needles • • Sometimes referred to as the taiga Winters are very cold Summers are rainy and warm enough to melt the snow There are limited trees that have adapted to this cold climate – Fir, spruce, hemlock • Many of the animals eat the seeds produced by the conifers – Examples: red squirrels, insects, birds • Large herbivores – Porcupines, deer, elf, moose, beavers • Large predators – Wolves, bears, wolverines

Tundra Biomes • Extremely cold and dry • Receives no more precipitation than a desert so no deep snow • Permafrost- frozen soil – Most of the soil is frozen all year • Plants include – mosses, grasses, dwarf trees • Lots of insects – black flies, mosquitoes • Mammals include – Caribou, wolves, hares

Mountains and Ice • Some land areas do not fall under one major land biome • Examples include: – mountain ranges and land that is covered with thick sheets of ice • Numerous biomes may exists in a mountain range

Freshwater Biomes • An important factor for water biomes is sunlight • Sunlight is necessary for photosynthesis in the water just as it is on land • Because water absorbs sunlight, there is only enough light for photosynthesis near the surface or in shallow water • The most common producers in water biomes are algae rather than plants

Ponds and lakes • Freshwater biomes • Ponds – Shallow – Still or standing water – Sun reaches the bottom allowing plants to grow • Lakes – Larger and deeper than ponds • Animals include: – Insects, snails, frogs, salamanders, catfish (scavenger)

Streams and Rivers • • Freshwater biomes strong currents and fast moving water Animals include trout and insects Few plants or algae grow due to the fast moving water

Marine Biomes • The ocean contains many different habitats • These habitats differ in amount of sunlight, water temperature, wave action, and water pressure

Estuary Marine biome Shallow, sunlit water A mixture of fresh and salt water Large supply of nutrients makes it a rich habitat for living things • Producers include • • – Marsh grasses, algae • Animals include – Crabs, worms, clams, oysters, fish – These animals use the estuary as a breeding ground

Intertidal zone • Marine biome • The part of the shore between the highest high tide and the lowest low tide line • Organisms that live here must be able to withstand waves • Animals include – Barnacles, sea stars, clams, crabs

Neritic zone • • Marine biome Shallow water below the low tide line Extends beyond the continental shelf This zone is rich in living things – Schools of fish – Coral reefs

Surface zone • • Marine biome Open ocean Algae are the producers in this biome Animals include – Tuna, swordfish, whales

Deep zone • • Marine biome In the open ocean below the surface zone Much of this zone is completely dark Most animals in this zone feed on the remains of organisms that sink down from the surface zone