World Biomes Biomes A biome is a region
World Biomes
Biomes A biome is a region of the biosphere with a particular climate and specific characteristics. A specific biome has the same type of dominant communities (similar wildlife).
IMPORTANT • In a biome, the number, growth, and survival of organisms depend on biotic & abiotic factors such as soil composition, temperature, water, etc. • There are SIX main land biomes. They are known as “Terrestrial”
Tropical Rainforest Earth's most complex land biome Location: Found near equator… Temperature: little variation in temperatures. Usually ranges from 68 -93 degrees farenheit. No distinct seasonal changes. http: //www. cotf. edu/ete/modules/msese/earthsysflr/
Tropical Rainforest Precipitation: Very humid, and often receives more than 100 inches of rain per year. http: //www. cotf. edu/ete/modules/msese/earthsysflr/
Tropical Rainforest Abiotic factors ü both hot and moist; ü ideal for bacteria and other microorganisms; they quickly decompose matter on the forest floor allowing nutrients to be recycled. ü Soil in the tropical rainforests is very nutrient poor. ü Shallow topsoil ü High in carbon and other fossil fuels as well as mercury and gold. http: //www. cotf. edu/ete/modules/msese/earthsysfl
Bougainvillea Tropical Rainforest Plant adaptations * drip tips and waxy surfaces allow water to run off, to discourage growth of bacteria and fungi * prop and stilt roots help hold up plants in the shallow soil * some plants climb on others to reach the sunlight * plants have shallow roots to help capture nutrients from the top level of soil. Bangul Bamboo
§Amazing diversity of animals and wildlife. §Poison frog §lemur §capybara §toucan §anteater §butterfly §Aye-aye
Tropical Rainforest Animal Adaptations §Toucans have adapted by developing a long, large bill. This adaptation allows this bird to reach fruit on branches that are too small to support the bird's weight. The bill also is used to cut the fruit from the tree. §The sloth uses a behavioral adaptation and camouflage to survive in the rainforest. It moves very, very slowly and spends most of its time hanging upside down from trees. Bluegreen algae grows on its fur giving the sloth a greenish color and making it more difficult for predators to spot. http: //www. blueplanetbiomes. org/rnfrst_animal_page. htm
Threats to the Tropical Rainforest § Humans strip the rainforests for uses including logging and cattle ranching. § In addition to the plants and animals that are displaced by this destruction, entire civilizations of people are also without a home. § You can help by promoting sustainable use of the rainforests’ products http: //www. blueplanetbiomes. org/rnfrst_animal_page. htm
§Rainforest Video
http: //www. runet. edu/~swoodwar/CLASSES/GEOG 235/biomes/tbdf. html Temperate Deciduous Forests Location: Deciduous forests can be found in the eastern half of North America, and the middle of Europe, as well as parts of Asia. Much of the human population (including us!) lives in this biome
Temperate Deciduous Forests Abiotic Factors • Temperature: average temperature in temperate deciduous forests is 50°F • Seasonal Temp: Summers are mild, and average about 70°F (21°C), while winter temperatures are often well below freezing.
Temperate Deciduous Forests Abiotic Factors § Precipitation: 30– 100 in/yr in all forms (snow, rain, hail, fog, etc. ) § Soils: Deep soil layers, rich in nutrients § Rocks: Limestone/Sandstone
Plants of Deciduous Forests §White Oak §Birch tree §Maple §Dogwood
Lady Fern Temperate Deciduous forest Plant adaptations Plants in the Temperate deciduous forests adjust their growth and activity to the seasons of the year. • thin, broad, light-weight leaves. This type of leaf structure easily captures the sunlight Geulder Rose • Many trees leaves change color in different seasons, and lose their leaves in the winter. This way the tree can focus on feeding its trunk only.
§Rabbit §Squirrel §White-tail deer §Fox
Temperate Deciduous Forest Animal Adaptations § Lose Winter Coat § Migration and hibernation are two adaptations used by the animals in this biome § The nuts and seeds that are plentiful during the summer are gathered by squirrels, chipmunks, and some jays, and are stored in the hollows of trees for use during the winter months http: //www. blueplanetbiomes. org/deciduous_animal_page. htm
Threats to Temperate Deciduous Forests Many forests are cleared to provide housing for humans. Burning of fossil fuels is polluting the environment Mining http: //www. runet. edu/~swoodwar/CLASSES/GEOG 235/biomes/tbdf. html
Taiga aka Northern Coniferous Forest or Boreal Forest §The Taiga biome stretches across a large portion of Canada, Europe and Asia.
TAIGA/CONIFEROUS FOREST • Temperature: For half the year the average temperature is below freezing; can reach a high of 70ºF during the summer • Seasonal: Long winters and long summers (short spring and autumn). Taiga Temperatures Low High Winter -65 F 30 F Summer 20 F 70 F
TAIGA/CONIFEROUS FOREST • Precipitation: 12 - 33 inches, Although the cold winters have some snowfall, most of the precipitation comes during the warm, humid summer months. • Soils, Rocks, Minerals: soil is thin and lacking in nutrients • most common minerals that they mine are metallic minerals like lead, gold, nickel, copper, and zinc. • Very short growing season
Taiga Plants Very low diversity. Taiga trees tend to be conifers. Conifers, many of which are evergreen, produce cones in late winter or early fall. If a cone becomes fertilized, it grows bigger. Only then do the seeds inside develop. Once the seeds ripen, the cone dries up and the seed falls out. http: //www. uwsp. edu/geo/faculty/ritter/geog 101/modules/ ecosystems_biomes/biomes_northern_forest. html
§Here there are many coniferous trees such as spruce and fir
Taiga Plant adaptations § § Fireweed Branches droop downward, which helps shed excess snow. Roots long to anchor trees Needles lose less water and shed snow more easily than broad leaves. Low sunlight and poor soil keeps many plants from growing on forest floor Balsam Fir
§moose §Red fox §Bald eagle §Snowshoe hare §Black bear §Bobcat
Moose Animal Adaptations of the Taiga § Adapt for cold winters § Burrow, hibernate, warm coat, insulation, etc. § The ermine, a small mammal, is a good example of this adaptation. Its dark brown summer coat changes to white in the winter.
Threats to the Taiga Mining operations can irreparably damage this fragile ecosystem. Pollution left behind can also put animals and plants at risk.
Taiga Video
Savannas (Grasslands) Contain the greatest number of grazing animals on Earth. Location: Found in the tropics…near equator , much of Africa and Australia. h
Tropical Savanna Abiotic Factors Temperature: The savanna climate has a temperature range of 68° to 86° F. Dry and windy. Seasonal: Whether winter or summer, the temperature does not change a lot. Precipitation: There is an annual precipitation of 10 to 15 inches. From December to February hardly any rain falls at all.
Tropical Savanna Abiotic Factors Other Environmental Factors (Soil, rocks, minerals): Relatively flat area with varied soil types. Some areas are much more fertile than others. Rich in minerals: Copper, lead, zinc, silver, nickel, tin, gold, and uranium. Other mineral resources include: diamonds, limestone and silica as well as coal and petroleum. FIRES ARE VERY COMMON IN THIS BIOME DUE TO THE LACK OF RAINFALL
§Plant life: Mostly grasses and wildflowers
Tropical Savanna Plant Adaptations Whistling Thorn § Deep spreading root systems often mat together thickly making sure that even in drought, the plants are able to get water. Umbrella Thorn Acacia § Many plants have thorns and sharp leaves to protect against predation. § During a fire, the root portions survive to sprout again § Some prairie trees have thick bark to resist fire Kangaroos Paws Baobab http: //www. blueplanetbiomes. org/savanna_plant_page. htm
§Wildabeast §zebra §giraffe
ANIMAL ADAPTATIONS: * camouflage, burrowing, many animals are nocturnal * Many animals travel in herds so that they are not singled out and attacked * Many animals like the cheetah are equipped with speed as well. This allows them to catch prey more easily, as well as escape predation.
§ Threats to the Tropical Savanna Invasive species § Fire is prevalent § The elephant is hunted for the ivory in their tusks. § Many endangered species Elephant § Because of their low elevation, some savannas are threatened by minor rises in sea level associated with global climate change Koala http: //www. blueplanetbiomes. org/savanna_animal_page. htm
Savanna Biome Video Lion King Clip
Desert Ecosystems § Location: Hot deserts--- North Africa and the deserts of the southwestern U. S. , Mexico, and Australia § Cold deserts--- occur in the basin and range area of Utah and Nevada and in parts of western Asia.
Desert Abiotic factors § Average Temp: 25 degrees at night, 100 degrees during the day. § Seasonal: Very little differences between seasons § Precipitation: <8 in/yr. of rain While there are many types of deserts, they all share one characteristic: They are the driest places on Earth!
ABIOTIC FACTORS § Soil: Little to no topsoil due to high winds. § Minerals: Minerals not deep in soil. § Too dry for decay
§Cactus and other succulents grow here. §Wide variety
Barrel Cactus Desert Plant Adaptations: § Spines for protection § Succulent plants store water in fleshy leaves, stems or roots § Thick, waxy cuticle § Shallow, broad roots Joshua Tree http: //www. blueplanetbiomes. org/desert_plant_page. htm § Ocotollio
§Kangaroo §Coyote §Scorpion §geck §Roadrunne r
Armadillo Lizard DESERT ANIMAL ADAPTATIONS * Avoiding Heat: Many animals only come out early morning or at night when it is cooler. They burrow during the day. * Long appendages and enormous ears that cool them off Bob Cat * Lighter coloration, which reflects heat and acts as camouflage in desert surroundings * Living in sealed underground dens to recycle moisture from their own breathing * Specialized kidneys that extract water from their urine Javelina
http: //www. blueplanetbiomes. org/world_biomes. htm Threats to the Desert Residential development Off road recreational activities destroy habitat for plants and animals. Some plants are removed by collectors, endangering the population. Sonoran Desert Dry Desert
Tundra Location: Found north of the Arctic Circle http: //www. runet. edu/~swoodwar/CLASSES/GEOG 235/biomes/tundra. html
Tundra Abiotic Factors § Average annual temperature is around 50 degrees § Seasonal Temperatures: Winter is usually around -30 degrees, but summer can get up to 55 degrees which allows for some life to survive http: //www. cotf. edu/ete/modules/msese/earthsysflr/taiga. html
TUNDRA § Precipitation: <25 in/year § Other environmental factors: § Permafrost layer (hard layer of frost at the surface of the soil) § Short growing season § Relatively rocky
§Lichen s §Mosses §Plants do not grow very tall here §Shrubs §Wildflowers
Perennials Woody shrubs Heaths Examples of Tundra Plants http: //www. runet. edu/~swoodwar/CLASSES/GEOG 235/biomes/tundra. html
Tundra Plant Adaptations §Tundra plants can grow at temperatures (27ºF to 36ºF) which is cooler than any other plant in the world §Small and low growing plants because o the lack of nutrients found in the soil. §Also being close to the dark, warmth, absorbent soil helps to keep plants from freezing. §Plants are also dark and hairy. The darkness of their flesh absorbs solar heat and the hair helps to trap the heat and keep it close to the surface of the plant §Some plants also grow in clumps in orde to break harsh winds and protect each other from the cold.
§Bear §Caribou §Snow owl §Fox §Penguin §Polar Bears
Tundra Animal Adaptations §Blubber Lab • thick, insulating cover of feathers or fur. • color changing feathers or fur: brown in summer, and white in winter. • thick fat layer gained quickly during spring in order to have continual energy and warmth during winter months. • In the spring, since food is still scarce, bears may dig up roots or even eat seaweed found along water sides. In the summer the brown bear's diet is more complete. They will hunt for salmon and eat berries.
Threats to the Tundra Tufted Saxifrage One of the most fragile biomes on the planet Oil drilling is proposed in Alaska and other areas! Polar Bear The tundra is slow to recover from damage.
Tundra Video Tundra Brain. Pop
• • • Freshwater Ecosystems Very low salinity Ponds, lakes, marshes, swamps, bogs, rivers Lake are the deepest of fresh water systems Lakes are fed by underground aquifer or stream Ponds are fed by rainfall and may be seasonal http: //mbgnet. mobot. org/fresh/
Ponds Microscopic Animals and Algae • • Sun can reach bottom Fed by rainfall May be seasonal Algae and plants throughout
Lakes and ponds—Abiotic Factors Littoral zone: nutrient rich area found close to shore www. dnr. wi. gov Benthic zone: bottom of the lake where no sunlight can reach. www. uwsp. edu
Lakes and ponds: Plants and Animals Adaptations • Plants are floating algae and plants along shoreline • Animals live in or near water and use the water as a source of food, to escape danger, or to cool off
Threats to lakes and ponds www. aquaticbiomes. gov All water systems are being polluted and degraded by human impact
Marsh http: //mbgnet. mobot. org/fresh/wetlands/ Uses: § Tons of animal/plant homes § Everglades of Florida Types: Brackish and freshwater
Marsh—Plant adaptations • Very shallow with land occasionally exposed • Saturated soil • Low oxygen in water and soil • Emergent plants Heron http: //www. blueplanetbiomes. org/world_biomes. htm
Swamp/Bogs Location: Found on flat, poorly drained land, often near streams
Swamps/Bogs Abiotic factors Land soaked because of poor drainage Decay is slow - Soil is acidic Swamps Large trees/shrubs Adapted to muddy soils Bogs - moss is dominant http: //mbgnet. mobot. org/fresh/wetlands/
Threats to Wetlands www. kathimitchell. com Previous backfilling and clearing for farmland or development has been a concern. Hunting of alligators http: //www. ucmp. berkeley. edu/glossary/gloss 5/b iome/aquatic. html
At headwaters, Rivers usually cold and highly oxygenated. As it flows, it will broaden out, warm up and this completely changes the life you’ll find!
§The characteristics of a river or stream change during the journey from the source to the mouth. The temperature is cooler at the source than it is at the mouth. The water is also clearer, has higher oxygen levels, and freshwater fish such as trout and heterotrophs can be found there. Towards the middle part of the stream/river, the width increases, as does species diversity — numerous aquatic green plants and algae can be found. Toward the mouth of the river/stream, the water becomes murky from all the sediments that it has picked up upstream, decreasing the amount of light that can penetrate through the water. Since there is less light, there is less diversity of flora, and because of the lower oxygen levels, fish that require less oxygen, such as catfish and carp, can be found.
River: Plant and Animal Adaptations www. 3 d-screensaverdownloads. com www. cs. dartmouth. edu Will vary based on where in the river they are…at the headwaters, organisms need to hang on!
Threats to Rivers Dams alter the Industry uses water flow of the to dispose of waste water products Runoff from homes and other places causes changes in acidity, pollution, etc. www. nwk. usace. army. mil
Estuaries http: //mbgnet. mobot. org/salt/sandy/ • Fresh and salt water meet
Plant and Animal Adaptations of Estuaries Very productive biome because it receives lots of light and nutrients Manatee and goose Often used as nursery for young www. lookoutnow. com & www. visualparadox. com
Threats to Estuaries § Many ports are found on estuaries—pollution § Human population pers-erf. org www. davenewbould. co. uk
§Freshwater Biomes §Aquatic Biomes
§Saltwater Biomes
§Marine biomes have much less temperature change than the terrestrial biomes.
Coral Reefs • • Close to equator Consistent water temperature Shallow water Low in Nutrients
Animal adaptations of the Coral Reef Plentiful amounts of zooplankton and phytoplankton • Breeding area for many fish • Many fish are camouflaged within the colorful coral
Threats to the Coral Reefs Temperature is important, too hot or too cold and the animals can’t live there to create limestone Human intrusion (scuba diving) is damaging if you touch/step on the reef Pollution is also a concern. www. calacademy. org
Oceans http: //mbgnet. mobot. org/salt/sandy/
Ocean Abiotic factors Temperature range depending on location. Life in the ocean is very diverse. Covers nearly ¾ of the Earth’s surface. http: //www. worldbiomes. com/bio mes_aquatic. htm
Ocean Plant adaptations Plants can anchor on rocks or the ocean floor. Some plants, such as kelp are able to move freely. Plants are made to survive in high salt content. http: //www. calstatela. edu/faculty/eviau/edit 557/oceans/norma/onfrm. htm
Ocean Animal Adaptations Hammerhead Fish and other organisms that live underwater can take their oxygen from the water, either through their gills or their skin. Many ocean animals are coldblooded (ectothermic) and their internal body temperature is the same as their surrounding environment. Lion fish * lungs and rib cages collapse when diving to deep depths. http: //www. kidzworld. com/site/p 1951. htm
Threats to the Oceans While the oceans are vast, they are becoming more polluted Overfishing and some fishing methods are destroying fishing grounds.
§Saltwater Biome §Biomes
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