Environmental ScienceEnvironmental Science

November 1, 2010November 1, 2010

Mrs. HarrisMrs. Harris

Today’s objectivesToday’s objectives

What is a biome?What is a biome?

Compare biomesCompare biomes

Environmental threats Environmental threats to different biomesto different biomes

From last time…From last time…

Food chains and websFood chains and webs All dependent upon the All dependent upon the

producers, a.k.a. plantsproducers, a.k.a. plants

We could say then that We could say then that the whole ecosystem is the whole ecosystem is dependent upon the type dependent upon the type of plants that grow there.of plants that grow there.

Where would you find these Where would you find these types of weather?types of weather?

Dry, Hot

Wet, Hot

Dry, Cool

Factors that affect plantsFactors that affect plants

Two biggest ones:Two biggest ones:

______________________________

______________________________

The type of plants determine The type of plants determine what other animals are able what other animals are able to survive in that area.to survive in that area.

Factors that affect plantsFactors that affect plants

Two biggest ones:Two biggest ones:

sunshinesunshine

waterwater

The type of plants determine The type of plants determine what other animals are able what other animals are able to survive in that area.to survive in that area.

BIOMESBIOMES

A biome is a type of area that is defined A biome is a type of area that is defined by its by its climateclimate and and type of animals and type of animals and plantsplants that live there. that live there.

Climates are general weather patterns over Climates are general weather patterns over the course of a year the course of a year (because patterns can change (because patterns can change from season to season)from season to season) TemperaturesTemperatures PrecipitationPrecipitation

Terrestrial Terrestrial (on land) (on land) BiomesBiomes

Biome DistributionBiome Distribution

Threats to BiomesThreats to Biomes

Global climate change can affect all climates and Global climate change can affect all climates and hence all biomeshence all biomes

Clear-cuttingClear-cutting Over-grazingOver-grazing PollutionPollution FarmingFarming Land developmentLand development Resource consumptionResource consumption ……

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Environmentalists through historyEnvironmentalists through history Environmental groupsEnvironmental groups