Earths Biomes What is a biome Biomes are

Earth’s Biomes

What is a biome? • Biomes are large geographic areas that have similar climates (average weather over time, mainly precipitation and temperature) and vegetation (plant life).

There are 6 major Land Biomes and 3 Aquatic Biomes

6 major terrestrial (land) biomes 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. Tundra Taiga (aka: Boreal or Coniferous Forest) Temperate Deciduous Forest Grasslands (prairie, Savanna, steppe) Tropical Rain Forest Desert ( Mountain biomes contain varying amounts of the other 6 biomes)

3 major aquatic biomes 1. Freshwater- lakes, ponds, streams and rivers 2. Marine (saltwater)- oceans and seas 3. Estuaries- the area where fresh water and salt water bodies mix. All rivers eventually empty into the sea.

FRESHWATER • Rivers and Streams – Water is in motion all the time – Faster flowing water is usually clearer than slowly flowing water.

Freshwater • Lakes and Ponds – Water is not flowing – Contains more life than rivers and streams – Lakes are larger and deeper than ponds

• Wetlands Freshwater – Regions of land that are wet most of the year – Also called swamps, bogs, and marshes – Contain abundant terrestrial and aquatic life such as turtles, beavers, birds, and alligators.

SALTWATER (MARINE) • Open Ocean – Two main zones: light(upper 200 m) and dark(below 200 m)

Saltwater • Coral Reefs – One of the most diverse ecosystems in the world – Formed by animals secreting calcium carbonate shells – Easily damaged by pollution and Human influence

Saltwater • Seashores – Life influenced strongly by tides – Intertidal zone is covered by water at high tide and exposed at low tide

• Estuaries BRACKISH – The area where a river meets the ocean – It is where Salt water and Fresh water mix – Also called bays, lagoons, harbors, inlets, and sounds.

Tundra Characteristics include: üExtremely , dry treeless climate ü Short growth season ü Permanently frozen layer of subsoil called o permafrost ü Average Temperature: - 12 C üAverage Precipitation: less than 25 cm (~9 inches) per year

The plants are very similar to those of the arctic ones and include: Mosses, grasses, small shrubs and lichens Location: in the Arctic Circle And portions of Antarctica Animals living in the alpine tundra are also well adapted: Insects, ducks, geese, grouse like birds, mice, arctic hares, reindeer, caribou, polar bears, and foxes. http: //www. ucmp. berkeley. edu/exhibits/biomes/forests. php#temperate

Tundra Plants Arctic Moss Arctic Willow Tufted Saxifrage Pasque flower Bearberry

Taiga Characteristics include: • Location- North America ( Canada & U. S. ), Europe, Asia • Climate-below freezing over half the year • Temperature ranges from -10 to 14 0 C • Precipitation averages 35 -100 cm per year, mostly as snow

ü Largest Biome in the World üLong cold winters and short warm summers üSoil thaws in the short summer ü Lots of conifers (cone bearing trees) grow here Animals: birds, moose, weasels, wolves, deer, caribou, mink, porcupines and bears Plants: lichens, mosses, fir and spruce trees

Taiga

Taiga Vegetation Balsam fir Black spruce White fir Jack pine White spruce

Taiga animals Canadian lynx Bald eagle Gray wolf Red fox Grizzly bear wolverine Snowshoe rabbit