Chap 4 Climates Biomes Climate Determined by temperature

Chap 4 Climates & Biomes

Climate – Determined by • temperature • precipitation – Affects species distribution • Species adapt to conditions – Different climates lead to different communities of organisms, especially vegetation. – Affected by • Topography • Wind currents • Ocean currents • Elevation • Latititude

Topography and Local Climate: • Interactions between land, oceans, mountains, & cities affect local climates. Figure 5 -8

US Topography

Ocean currents influence climate by distributing heat mixing and distributing nutrients.

Wind Currents: Convection Cells • Heat & moisture are distributed over the earth’s surface by vertical currents, which form six giant convection cells at different latitudes. Figure 5 -6

Latitude & Elevation • Similar changes occur moving from: – the equator to the poles: Latitude – lowlands to mountaintops: Elevation Figure 5 -11

Biomes: Large regions categorized by: • Climate (Temp & Precipitation) • Soil • Plant (& animals to lesser degree) Each biome contains many ecosystems whose communities have adapted to differences in climate, soil, and other environmental factors.

Temperature & Precipitation Biome

Tropic of Cancer Equator High mountains Polar ice Polar grassland (arctic tundra) Temperate grassland Tropical grassland (savanna) Tropic of Capricorn Chaparral Coniferous forest Temperate deciduous forest Tropical forest Desert Fig. 5 -9, p. 106

Biome: determined by precipitation, temp, & soil type

3 Categories A. Cold – avg Temp below 5°C (41°F) 1. Tundra 2. Boreal B. Temperate – avg Temp 5°C to 20°C (68°F) 3. 4. 5. 6. Temperate Rainforest Temperate Seasonal Forest (Deciduous) Woodland/Shrubland (Chaparral) Temperate Grassland /cold desert C. Tropical – avg Temp above 20°C 7. Tropical Rainforest 8. Savanna / Tropical Seasonal Forest 9. Subtropical Desert

Climate diagrams Show Temp/Precip

Climate diagrams – Also show Growing Season Growing season

Tundra Distinctive Features Cold, treeless with low-growing vegetation. The underlying subsoil, known as permafrost is an impermeable, permanently frozen layer that prevents water from draining and roots from penetrating. Growing season is very short, about 4 months during summer. In winter, the soil is completely frozen.

Tundra • Climate – cold year round, very little rain, but wet in summer (melting) • Located – near the poles • NPP – low • Decomposition – very slow • Soil – nutrient depleted, thin and often frozen • Limiting Factors – water, sunlight , cold, nutrients • Biodiversity – low – Vegetation – low growing plants • Adaptations include: shallow roots for frozen soil, grow close together for warmth, grow underneath snow – Animals – birds and mammals in summer, wolves, foxes and bears year round • Adaptations include: migration and hibernation for winter, summer and winter “coats”, • Major Human impacts – climate change, resource exploration (oil, gas, etc)

Boreal Forest, Taiga primarily coniferous (cone-bearing) evergreen trees that can tolerate cold winters and short growing seasons. found between about 50˚ and 60˚ N Europe, Russia and North America. Canada cold climate, plant growth is more constrained by temperature than precipitation. The soil is nutrient-poor due to slow decomposition.

Boreal Forest (Taiga, Coniferous Forest) • • Climate –cold year round, moderate rain all year Located – around 60 o latitude: Canada, Russia, N. Europe NPP – moderate Decomposition – low Soil – nutrient poor and acidic Limiting Factors – cold, nutrients, light Biodiversity – moderate – Vegetation – mostly evergreen trees (conifers) • Adaptations include: needles to conserve water and energy, chemicals to repel grazers, shaped to allow snow to slide off – Animals – grazing animals including moose, bears, bobcats, chipmunks and squirrels • Adaptations include: insulating layers of fur or feather, seasonal color changes, migration • Major Human impacts – forestry, acid rain, resource exploration, climate change

Temperate Rainforest Moderate temperatures &high precipitation Coast biome and can be found along the west coast of North America from northern California to Alaska, in southern Chile, on the west coast of New Zealand, and on the island of Tasmania. The ocean currents help moderate temperature & provide a source of water vapor. Cool & Foggy nearly 12 -month growing season: winters are rainy and summers are foggy. The mild temperatures and high precipitation supports the growth of very large trees…Redwood trees

Temperate Rain Forest • Climate – mild temperatures year-round, rainy winters - foggy summers • Located – coast of NW US/Canada, SW Argentina and the east coast of Australia • NPP – high • Decomposition – slower due to cool temps • Soil – nutrient poor and acidic • Limiting Factors – light and soil nutrients • Biodiversity – moderate – Vegetation – large coniferous trees - Redwoods, ferns and mosses • Adaptations include: climbing or hanging to access sunlight, leaf shape to allow water to fall – Animals – wide variety including slugs, wolves and deer • Adaptations include: camouflage to hide, migration, and hibernation • Major Human impact – Logging and tree farming

Temperate Seasonal Forest • Receive over 1 m (39 inches) of precipitation annually. • Found in the eastern United States, Japan, China, Europe, Chile and eastern Australia. • Dominated by broadleaf deciduous trees such as beech, male, oak and hickory – leaves change color & drop in fall • Warmer summer temperatures favor decomposition so soils generally contain more nutrients than those of boreal forests.

Temperate Seasonal Forest (Deciduous Forest) • Climate –wet year round with 4 seasons, cold winters • Located – 30 -60 o latitude • NPP – high • Decomposition – rapid • Soil – fertile due to decomposing leaf litter • Limiting Factors – sunlight, cold winters • Biodiversity – high – Vegetation –mostly deciduous trees with multiple lower layers • Adaptations include: trees lose leaves in winter to conserve energy, – Animals –wide variety and diverse food web • Adaptations include: hibernation, migration or food storage for winter, camouflage – Major Human impact – Deforestation for agriculture and logging

Woodland/Shrubland: Chaparral • Found on the “Golden” coast of southern California, southern Australia, southern Africa and in the area surrounding the Mediterranean Sea. • Hot, dry summers and mild, rainy winters • There is a 12 -month growing season, but plant growth is constrained by low precipitation in summer and by relatively low temperatures in winter. • Wildfires are common and plants are well adapted to both fire and drought.

Woodland / Shrubland (Chaparral) Climate – Hot, dry summers, mild rainy winters Located – 30 -60 o latitude near bodies of water NPP –moderate Decomposition – moderate Soil – nutrient poor (rain leaches nutrients) Limiting Factors – rainfall in summer, low temps in winter, fire maintained • Biodiversity – moderate • • • – Vegetation – scrub-like plants, succulents, and drought tolerant trees – fire adapted • Adaptations include: storing water, waxy coatings, deep roots, leaves turn brown or fall off to conserve water, fire adapted – Animals – variety of small animals like lizards, snakes, deer, owls, and some larger predators like mountain lions • Adaptations include: nocturnal, live close to the ground, camouflage, burrowing • Major Human impacts – human started fires and fire suppression activities, urbanization

Temperate Grassland/ Cold Desert Also called Prairie These are found in the Great Plains of North America, in South America, and in central Asia and eastern Europe. Cold, harsh winters and hot, dry, summers Plant growth is constrained by both insufficient precipitation in summer and cold temperatures in winter. Few trees Plants include grasses and non woody flowering plants that are well adapted to wildfires and frequent grazing by animals. Fertile soil

Temperate Grassland / Cold Desert • Climate – distinct seasons, cold, harsh winters, hot, dry summers • Located –between 30 -60 o latitude • NPP – moderate • Decomposition – rapid • Soil – excellent, deep and nutrient dense • Limiting Factors – water in summer, cold in winter, fire maintained • Biodiversity – moderate (but varies) – Vegetation – mostly grasses, tall grasses in wetter areas, low grasses in drier areas • Adaptations include: deep roots, fire adapted, – Animals – grazing animals, burrowing animals • Adaptations include: • Major Human impact – agriculture

Tropical Rainforest average annual temperatures exceed 20˚C. located approximately 20˚ N and S of the equator. found in Central and South America, Africa, SE Asia, & NE Australia. warm and wet year round. High biodiversity more than any other terrestrial biome and contain up to two-thirds of Earth's terrestrial species.

Tropical Rain Forest • Climate - Warm year-round, wet and humid year round • Located - near equator, specifically around the ITZC • NPP - High • Decomposition – rapid • Soil - thin, nutrient poor and acidic because decomposition rates are so rapid • Limiting Factors – light, soil nutrients • Biodiversity – highest on land – Vegetation – a wide variety, but dominated by broadleaf evergreen trees • Adaptations include: waxy leaves to keep extra water out, leaves shaped to allow water to drip off – Animals – wide variety with a diverse and complex food web • Adaptations include: Camouflage and specialization • Major Human impact – deforestation for farming

Tropical Seasonal Forest / Savanna • Warm temperatures and distinct rainy and dry seasons • Central America, on the Atlantic coast of South America, in southern Asia, in northwestern Australia, and in sub-Saharan Africa. • Soil is fairly fertile and can be farmed due to high decomposition rates, but the low amount of precipitation constrains plants from using the soil nutrients that are released. • Grasses and scattered deciduous trees are common.

Tropical Seasonal Forest / Savanna • Climate - Warm year round with a rainy season and a dry season • Located – south of the equator between 30 -60 o • NPP - moderate • Decomposition – high • Soil – fairly fertile • Limiting Factors – water, fire maintained • Biodiversity – varies based on rainfall with scattered trees and tall grasses – Vegetation – forests in the wetter areas, grasses in less wet areas • Adaptations include: losing leaves during dry season to conserve water, fire maintained community – Animals – wide variety particularly grazers and predators • Adaptations include: Nocturnal hunting during dry season, migration for water, burrowing to avoid water loss, specialized hunting and defensive traits • Major Human impact - deforestation for farming

Subtropical Desert This biome is found at 30˚ N and S with hot temperatures and extremely dry conditions. The Mojave Desert in the southwestern United States, the Sahara in Africa, the Arabian Desert of the Middle East and the Great Victoria Desert of Australia are all subtropical deserts. Cacti, euphorbs and succulent plants are well adapted to this biome.

• • Subtropical Desert Climate - Warm and dry year round Located – 30 o above and below the equator NPP – Very low Decomposition – very slow Soil – almost non-existent Limiting Factors – water, nutrients Biodiversity – low – Vegetation – sparse and generally low to the ground with shrubs, cacti and succulents • Adaptations include: no leaves, waxy coatings and water storage to conserve moisture, deep or very spread out roots to reach water, spines and protection from grazers – Animals – wide variety particularly grazers and predators • Adaptations include: Nocturnal animals, hibernation to escape heat, water conserving (dry feces, moisture absorbing skin) and avoid overheating (reflective skin, burrowing) • Major Human impact – off road vehicles destroy delicate soil crust and threaten organisms

Forested Biomes • All forested biomes receive a sufficient amount of rainfall to support trees • Community of plants and animals are typically distributed in various layers: – Emergent layer of branches above the canopy – Canopy of full–grown trees – Understory of tree saplings – Undergrowth of herbaceous plants and shrubs