Biomes

Blue Marble Photograph (pg.6)

Blue Marble Photograph

What did you observe in this photograph?What do you wonder about?How can 13 million different species of life

exist on Earth?What factors determine whether a species

lives in North America or Africa?This picture greatly influenced the

environmental movement – why might this be so?

Ecosystem

What is an ecosystem? A part of a biome in which abiotic

components interact with biotic componentsAbiotic: non-living components of an

environment Ex: sunlight, soil, moisture/precipitation,

temperatureBiotic: living components/organisms of an

environment Ex: plants, animals, fungi, bacteria

Biosphere

thin layer of air, land and water on or near Earth’s surface in which all living things on Earth exist

Figure 1.3 pg. 9

Biome

Biome: includes large regions that have similar biotic components and abiotic components

8 terrestrial biomes1. Tundra2. Boreal Forest3. Temperate Rainforest4. Deciduous Rainforest5. Grasslands (Temperate and Tropical)6. Desert7. Tropical Rainforest8. Polar Ice (Permanent Ice)

Observing Patterns in World Biomes

Page 11 – Activity 1-1AWork with lab bench partnerWrite down two patterns you see in the distribution

of biomesUse the equator, Tropic of Cancer/Capricorn as

reference points in determining distribution patternsCompare with another lab bench

In a paragraph, provide an explanation for each of these three patterns based on your general knowledge

Distribution of Biomes

Temperature and PrecipitationTwo of the most important abiotic factors that

influence the characteristic of biomes and the distribution of biomes on Earth

Types of precipitation: rainfall, snow, mist

and fogGiant trees you find in the rainforest of BC

would not survive in a hot, dry desert biome

Questions

Practice Problems pg. 13 #1-4

Latitude

•Distance measured in degrees North or South of the Equator

• Equator = 0o

• Two hemispheres

•Affects Temperature and Precipitation

Latitude and Temperature

At Equator – sun shines down almost directly overhead Results in 12 hours of sunlight every day of the

year Results in little fluctuation in temperature

At the tropical zone (between the Tropic of Cancer and the Tropic of Capricorn) Close to the equator, therefore receives more

direct sunlight than further North or South latitudes

Has warmest temperatures

Latitude and Temperature

Temperate Regions and Polar Zones (North or South of the tropical zone) sun rays are at an angle Rays are spread over a greater surface area

which results in the rays being less intense The further away from the equator, the lower

the temperature

Latitude and Precipitation

At Equator Direct sunlight heats the moist air which causes

it to rise (evaporation) The moist air cools in the upper atmosphere

and then falls back to the earth as rain (condensation)

Receives the greatest amount of rainfall

Tropical Zone Similar to the equator, the sunlight is mostly

direct resulting in lots of rainfall

Latitude and Precipitation

Polar Regions Little moisture can be picked up (evaporate)

and carried in cold air so clouds do not readily form

Little precipitation

Temperate Regions Cold air masses from the polar regions collide

with warm moist air masses from the tropics Results in seasonal rainfall patterns

Exit Slip

1. Which biome(s) do you know the most about?

2. Which biome(s) are you most interested in learning about and why?

Homework

Due tomorrow: Reading Check pg. 12 #1-4