Biomes Weather Climate Weather The condition of the
Biomes
Weather & Climate • Weather: The condition of the atmosphere day-to-day. • Climate: The average year-to-year conditions.
3 Main Climates on Earth 1. Polar 2. Temperate 3. Tropic Climate zones are determined by differences in latitude and the tilt of the Earth. (changes the angle of heating)
Biotic & Abiotic Factors in the Ecosystem • Bio = Life • A = Not • Biotic factors: Living things • Abiotic factors: Nonliving things
Biotic and Abiotic Factors in an Ecosystem Abiotic Factors Biotic Factors ECOSYSTEM
Biome a major regional terrestrial community with its own type of climate, vegetation, and animal life
Can all kinds of organisms live in every biome? NO! Species are adapted to survive in certain biomes. Adaptation: an inherited condition that increases an organism’s ability to survive and reproduce.
Who lives where? ¢ Climate is important! l 1. 2. 2 main factors of climate: Temperature Precipitation A “Climatogram” (climate diagram) shows temperature and precipitation for an area Microclimate: climate in a small area that is different from the climate around it.
Tropical Rain Forest
Tropical Rain Forest -found near the equator -temperature varies little from approximately 23°C -the length of daylight varies from 12 hours by less than one hour -rainforest>2000 mm
Tropical Rain Forest -canopy trees up to 55 m tall -largest biome, on an area basis -very little light actually reaches the ground! -soils are generally unfertile -nutrients and carbon stored in plant biomass, not soils
Tropical Savanna
Tropical Savannah -found in the tropics (but > 10° latitude) -pronounced dry season with <5 cm rainfall in some months
Tropical Savannah -scattered trees and grass -fire & grazing by animals also contribute to predominance of grasses
Temperate Forest
Temperate Forest -distinct winter season, frost a defining feature -summer season usually moist with ppt > evapotranspiration
Temperate Forest -relatively large tree biomass -also called the deciduous forest, but contains evergreen needle trees as well
Temperate Grassland/Shrubland
Temperate Grassland/Shrubland -similar to tropical savanna, but with cold winter -relatively hot summer -potential evapotranspiration > ppt
Temperate Grassland/Shrubland -scattered trees and shrubs -trees are short statured -fire & grazing by animals also contribute to predominance of grasses, but that depends on climate
Desert
Desert -hot or cold deserts exist -low precipitation <25 cm, sporadic -evaporation is greater than precipitation!!
Desert -thorny plants -other adaptations to conserve water nocturnal large ears to help cool blood
Chapparal/Temperate Woodland
Chapparal/Temperate Woodland -mild winters -seasonal rainfall winter rain, summer drought -maritime influence cold ocean currents continental winds
Chapparal/Temperate Woodland -sclerophyllous plants -adaptations to fire
Boreal Forest/ Taiga
Boreal Forest/ Taiga -severe winters, MAT can be < 0 deg C -ppt is low, but evapotranspiration low -short growing season
Boreal Forest/ Taiga -10 -20 m trees evergreen needle and deciduous -second largest biome, on an area basis -fire dominated, but on longer timescale than grassland -more nutrients and carbon stored in soils than plants
Tundra
Tundra -severe winters -short growing season, cool summer -arctic or alpine
Tundra -no trees -sedges, low shrubs, mosses -permafrost roots cannot penetrate deep so the plants are small and close to the ground to prevent freezing.
- Slides: 34