BIOMES OF THE WORLD What are Biomes Biomes
BIOMES OF THE WORLD
What are Biomes? • Biomes are a way to divide the Earth's surface. • Based on climate patterns, soil types, and the animals and plants that inhabit an area. • There are biomes on dry land in water. • Every inch of the Earth's surface is a part of one or more biomes.
Factors Determining Biome Distribution Terrestrial Biomes Latitude • Altitude • Temperature • Precipitation • Soil Type • Solar Energy • Winds • Proximity to Water • Aquatic Biomes Salinity • Clarity • Temperature • Current • Oxygen, CO 2 for photosynthesis • Solar Energy • Nutrients • Depth •
Biomes have temperature and rainfall amounts that allow certain plants and animals to thrive. So, if the temperature changes, the biome changes and plants and animals may need to evolve or move or DIE.
Do the Biomes ever change? Yes!!! Biomes have changed and moved many times during the history of life on Earth. What causes Biomes to change? Think about that? Turn to your partner and list as many causes as you can think of in 2 minutes.
Some possible causes of Biome changes • Natural disasters such as hurricanes, floods, fire, earthquakes, volcano eruptions • Gradual weathering & erosion • Solar Disruptions • Meteor disruption • Humans
More recently, human activities have drastically altered biome communities… not just by changing the landscape…. But changing the temperature.
Humans share the world with many other plants and animals and yet, over the past several decades, increasing human activity has rapidly destroyed or polluted many ecological habitats throughout the world. We MUST consider the consequences of our actions
Conclusion Think and Discuss with your partner: 1. Can two biomes have the same weather? Give an example 2. Can two biomes have the same climate? Why or why not? 3. What effect will increasing temperatures have on the diversity of life on our planet?
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