Introduction World Biomes What is a Biome A

Introduction

World Biomes

What is a Biome? üA biome is a large geographical area of distinctive plant and animal groups, which are adapted to that particular environment. The climate and geography of a region determines what type of biome can exist in that region.

How are biomes formed? Biomes are distributed across the Earth based primarily on climate. Similar climates, will have similar biomes. One factor affecting climate is latitude. Typically, the farther you move north or south of the equator, the colder the temperature gets. Another factor affecting climate is elevation. The higher you go in elevation, the colder the temperature gets.

How many biomes? We will be studying the following: • • • Tundra Northern Coniferous Forest (Taiga) Temperate Deciduous Forest Grassland Desert Rainforest Lotic Ecosystems (streams, rivers, brooks) Lentic Ecosystems (lakes and ponds) Estuaries Oceanic Ecosystems Coral Reefs Hydrothermal Vents

Biomes

To understand a world biome, you need to know: • What the climate of the region is like. • Where each biome is found and what its geography is like. • The special adaptations of the vegetation. • The types of animals found in the biome and their physical and behavioural adaptations to their environment. • Threats to the biome • One specific Animal

The Arctic Ocean!!! Consisting of deep ocean covered by drifting pack ice and surrounded by continents and archipelagos around the Earth's North Pole, the Arctic is the planet's largest and least fragmented inhabited region.

Geography/Location The farthest northern ocean. Continually covered by ice, but it does have summer and winter months. The ice melts up to 50% in the summer. There is no land under the ice.

Plants Unlike most biomes, very few plants. Mostly mosses and fungi. In the ocean itself, mostly algae and seaweeds.

Animals that can survive in the Arctic Ocean are adapted for this extreme environment. Yet, the Arctic Ocean is teeming with life. Some examples include whales, seals, polar bears, plankton, fish, birds. Mostly predators. All have a thick layer of fur or fat to protect from extreme cold.

Climate It is the coldest ocean on Earth and is often capped with sea ice. During the coldest winter months there is little or no sunshine penetrating the water. During the summer months, the sun shines up to 24 hours a day.

Threats • Climate Change • Oil Drilling • Increased exploitation • Long Range Pollution

Monodon monoceros: Narwal • One of the only animals to live year round in the arctic ocean. • Only males have the long tusk • Declared endangered due to climate change. • 12 -18 ft long • Eat halibut, cod, shrimp , and squid