Biomes Biomes

Chapter 6Chapter 6

BiomesBiomes

BiomeBiome A large region with a specific type of A large region with a specific type of

climate and a certain type plant and climate and a certain type plant and animal communitiesanimal communities

Made up of several ecosystems Made up of several ecosystems

BiomesBiomes

BiomesBiomes

Biomes are classified based on the Biomes are classified based on the types of plants that live theretypes of plants that live there The types of plants will determine the The types of plants will determine the

other organismsother organisms Organisms in each biome have Organisms in each biome have

specific adaptations that allow them specific adaptations that allow them to surviveto survive Adaptations include size, shape, and Adaptations include size, shape, and

colorcolor

BiomesBiomes

Organisms are adapted to survive a Organisms are adapted to survive a very small range of temperatures very small range of temperatures and precipitation and precipitation Small changes the temperature or the Small changes the temperature or the

amount of precipitation can kill off a amount of precipitation can kill off a majority of organismsmajority of organisms

Since organisms can only survive in Since organisms can only survive in specific conditions the biggest factor specific conditions the biggest factor that affects biomes is climatethat affects biomes is climate

BiomesBiomes

BiomesBiomes

The climate around the world varies The climate around the world varies depending on altitude and latitudedepending on altitude and latitude AltitudeAltitude

Height above sea levelHeight above sea level LatitudeLatitude

Distance north or south of the equatorDistance north or south of the equator ““Lat lays Flat”Lat lays Flat”

You can find the same climates by You can find the same climates by either going up a mountain or by going either going up a mountain or by going northnorth

BiomesBiomes

Since climate depends on altitude Since climate depends on altitude and latitude, the type of biome and latitude, the type of biome depends on the same things depends on the same things You can find the same biomes, by either You can find the same biomes, by either

going up a mountain or going northgoing up a mountain or going north ““Altitude Substitutes for Latitude”Altitude Substitutes for Latitude”

BiomesBiomes

F:\Seagate Sync\VOL\My DocumentsF:\Seagate Sync\VOL\My Documents\Ecology\United Streaming\\Ecology\United Streaming\Biomes__Our_Earth_s_Major_Life_ZoBiomes__Our_Earth_s_Major_Life_Zones.asfnes.asf

Forest BiomesForest Biomes

• Forest Biomes are the most Forest Biomes are the most widespread and diverse of all widespread and diverse of all biomes.biomes.

• They are typically found in areas They are typically found in areas where there is more precipitationwhere there is more precipitation– Big trees need a lot of water!Big trees need a lot of water!

• Three main types:Three main types:– Tropical, Temperate, TaigaTropical, Temperate, Taiga

end

Forest Biomes- TropicalForest Biomes- Tropical Located near the equatorLocated near the equator Constant high temperature and lots of Constant high temperature and lots of

rain throughout the yearrain throughout the year Direct sunlight all year and very humidDirect sunlight all year and very humid

100x’s more species per acre as 100x’s more species per acre as temperate foreststemperate forests

end

Forest Biomes- TropicalForest Biomes- Tropical

The soil has very few nutrientsThe soil has very few nutrients As dead organisms decompose, the As dead organisms decompose, the

nutrients are immediately sucked up by nutrients are immediately sucked up by the plantsthe plants

Most nutrients are stored in the plantsMost nutrients are stored in the plants This makes the water run-off as pure as This makes the water run-off as pure as

distilled water from a storedistilled water from a store When the trees are cut down for When the trees are cut down for

farmland, the soil can only support crops farmland, the soil can only support crops for a few yearsfor a few years

end

Forest Biomes- TropicalForest Biomes- Tropical

Because the soil is Because the soil is so thin, trees have so thin, trees have nothing to hold on nothing to hold on toto The have adapted The have adapted

structures called structures called buttresses to add buttresses to add supportsupport

Roots that are Roots that are above groundabove ground

Buttresses

end

Forest Biomes- TropicalForest Biomes- Tropical

There are 4 layers of forest:There are 4 layers of forest: Emergent, Upper Canopy, Lower Canopy, Emergent, Upper Canopy, Lower Canopy,

UnderstoryUnderstory

end

Forest Biomes- TropicalForest Biomes- Tropical

EmergentEmergent Top layerTop layer The very tallest trees (~230 ft high)The very tallest trees (~230 ft high) Gets direct sunlightGets direct sunlight

CanopyCanopy Primary layer of the rain forestPrimary layer of the rain forest ~98 ft high~98 ft high Absorbs around 95% of the sunlight Absorbs around 95% of the sunlight Most animals live in this layerMost animals live in this layer Divided into upper and lower levelsDivided into upper and lower levels

end

Forest Biomes- TropicalForest Biomes- Tropical

UnderstoryUnderstory Shade loving trees and shrubsShade loving trees and shrubs No more than ~11 ft highNo more than ~11 ft high

end

Forest Biomes- Forest Biomes- Temperate RainTemperate Rain

Cooler temperatures than a Tropical Cooler temperatures than a Tropical Rain ForestRain Forest

– But still lost of precipitationBut still lost of precipitation Found in Washington State, Australia, Found in Washington State, Australia,

and New Zealandand New Zealand– Around the Pacific OceanAround the Pacific Ocean

The Pacific Ocean keeps the The Pacific Ocean keeps the temperature above freezing year-temperature above freezing year-roundround

end

Forest Biomes- Temperate Forest Biomes- Temperate DeciduousDeciduous

Trees have broad, flat leavesTrees have broad, flat leaves– Which are lost each fallWhich are lost each fall

Has a large change in seasonsHas a large change in seasons– Very cold in the winter and very hot in Very cold in the winter and very hot in

the summerthe summer Most 1Most 1stst world countries are in this world countries are in this

biome!biome!

end

Forest Biomes- Temperate Forest Biomes- Temperate DeciduousDeciduous

Plants grow for around half of the Plants grow for around half of the yearyear

– And go dormant as the weather And go dormant as the weather gets coldgets cold

Animals will either hibernate or Animals will either hibernate or migrate during the wintermigrate during the winter

We live in this biome!We live in this biome!

end

Forest Biomes- Taiga Forest Biomes- Taiga (Boreal)(Boreal)

Coniferous forest (trees with seed in Coniferous forest (trees with seed in cones) just below the arctic circlecones) just below the arctic circle

– Canada, Northern Europe, Russia, Canada, Northern Europe, Russia, ChinaChina

Winter lasts for 6 to 10 monthsWinter lasts for 6 to 10 months– With very little sunlightWith very little sunlight

end

Forest Biomes- Taiga Forest Biomes- Taiga (Boreal)(Boreal)

• Plants have as little as 50 days to grow Plants have as little as 50 days to grow each yeareach year

• Plants are adapted to retain water and Plants are adapted to retain water and shed snowshed snow

• Most animals are only in the Taiga for Most animals are only in the Taiga for the short summerthe short summer

• Those that stay either go underground Those that stay either go underground to hibernate or camouflage themselves to hibernate or camouflage themselves to survive the winterto survive the winter

end

Grasslands- SavannaGrasslands- Savanna

Found mostly in Africa, South Found mostly in Africa, South America, IndiaAmerica, India

Little precipitation (rain) throughout Little precipitation (rain) throughout the yearthe year The rain it gets comes all at one timeThe rain it gets comes all at one time Fires during the dry season restore Fires during the dry season restore

nutrients to the soilnutrients to the soil

end

Grasslands- SavannaGrasslands- Savanna

Plants must be able to survive long Plants must be able to survive long periods without waterperiods without waterLarge horizontal root systemLarge horizontal root systemLeaves grow vertical to expose less area Leaves grow vertical to expose less area

to the sunto the sunAnimals have a migratory life style Animals have a migratory life style

They follow the waterThey follow the waterGive birth during the rainy seasonGive birth during the rainy season

end

Grasslands- TemperateGrasslands- Temperate Dominated by grasses with very few Dominated by grasses with very few

treestrees Hot summers and cold wintersHot summers and cold winters Less rain than a forestLess rain than a forest

The most fertile soil of any biomeThe most fertile soil of any biome This is the world’s farming landThis is the world’s farming land

end

Grasslands- TemperateGrasslands- Temperate

• Often found near mountainsOften found near mountains– They keep the amount of rain lowThey keep the amount of rain low

• Grasses form a layer of roots below the Grasses form a layer of roots below the surfacesurface– Helps to survive drought and fireHelps to survive drought and fire

• Animals are adapted to being mostly Animals are adapted to being mostly herbivoresherbivores– Have underground burrows to provide Have underground burrows to provide

protection protection • Over farming can cause this biome to Over farming can cause this biome to

become like a desertbecome like a desert– From soil erosion and depletion of nutrientsFrom soil erosion and depletion of nutrientsend

ChaparralChaparral

Temperate woodland biome with Temperate woodland biome with broad leaf evergreen shrubsbroad leaf evergreen shrubs Found along the coast with Found along the coast with

Mediterranean climates Mediterranean climates

end

ChaparralChaparral

Mostly low-lying shrubsMostly low-lying shrubsThey stay close to the groundThey stay close to the groundHave leathery leaves covered in oils that Have leathery leaves covered in oils that

promote burningpromote burningThe fire will kill off trees that are competing for The fire will kill off trees that are competing for

nutrientsnutrients

Can quickly regrow after a fireCan quickly regrow after a fireAnimals are camouflaged to blend in with Animals are camouflaged to blend in with

the environmentthe environmentHumans develop this land for coastal Humans develop this land for coastal

housinghousingend

DesertDesert

Areas with little to no rain and plant Areas with little to no rain and plant lifelife Also have extreme temperatures (hot or Also have extreme temperatures (hot or

cold)cold) Often found near large mountain Often found near large mountain

rangesranges Mountains block moisture in cloudsMountains block moisture in clouds

end

DesertDesert

Plants have thick flesh with a waxy coating Plants have thick flesh with a waxy coating that helps to store waterthat helps to store waterRoots are found just below the surface and Roots are found just below the surface and

widespreadwidespreadIn severe drought, plants will die off and their In severe drought, plants will die off and their

seeds will go dormant until rainfall germinates seeds will go dormant until rainfall germinates themthem

Animals have thick scaly skin to prevent Animals have thick scaly skin to prevent water losswater lossMost bury themselves underground to avoid the Most bury themselves underground to avoid the

sunlightsunlightThey are only active at night (nocturnal)They are only active at night (nocturnal)

end

TundraTundra Area above the Arctic Circle with Area above the Arctic Circle with

long, cold winters and short cool long, cold winters and short cool summers summers Grasses, mosses/lichens, and herbs Grasses, mosses/lichens, and herbs

growgrow Below the small amount of topsoil is Below the small amount of topsoil is

permafrostpermafrost Permanently frozen soilPermanently frozen soil

end

TundraTundra

Plants stay very close to the groundPlants stay very close to the groundAvoid the wind and get heat from the soilAvoid the wind and get heat from the soilRoots are just below the surface and widespreadRoots are just below the surface and widespread

Very few animalsVery few animalsBird migrate in for the short summerBird migrate in for the short summerSome migrate through the tundra all year Some migrate through the tundra all year

Following food and waterFollowing food and water With so few organisms the ecosystems are With so few organisms the ecosystems are

very simple very simple Any change to this biome can be a big threat to Any change to this biome can be a big threat to

the ecosystemsthe ecosystemsThe discovery of oil has influenced humans to The discovery of oil has influenced humans to

develop develop end

end

end

Oil exploration in ANWR could have a Oil exploration in ANWR could have a negative impact on the animals and negative impact on the animals and people living in and around the refuge, people living in and around the refuge, but oil in the refuge may help the US but oil in the refuge may help the US meet its future energy needs. Without meet its future energy needs. Without knowing what the consequences or knowing what the consequences or benefits will be, do you think that the benefits will be, do you think that the US should permanently protect the US should permanently protect the ANWR or open it for oil exploration?ANWR or open it for oil exploration?

end

Aquatic BiomesAquatic Biomes

• While climate determine the type of While climate determine the type of biome on land, in the water there are biome on land, in the water there are other factors to worry about other factors to worry about – Climate (temperature, sunlight)Climate (temperature, sunlight)– OxygenOxygen– NutrientsNutrients– Salinity (amount of salt)Salinity (amount of salt)

• Based on the amount of salt, Aquatic Based on the amount of salt, Aquatic Biomes are divided into Freshwater Biomes are divided into Freshwater and Marine. and Marine.

end

Aquatic Biomes- Lakes and Aquatic Biomes- Lakes and PondsPonds

2 layers:2 layers: Littoral ZoneLittoral Zone

Nutrient-rich, near the shore, diverse lifeNutrient-rich, near the shore, diverse life This is where the sunlight can reachThis is where the sunlight can reach

Benthic ZoneBenthic Zone Bottom of the pond, decomposers, dead Bottom of the pond, decomposers, dead

organisms, clamsorganisms, clams Very little sunlightVery little sunlight

end

Aquatic Biomes- Lakes and Aquatic Biomes- Lakes and PondsPonds

If a lake has an increase in nutrients If a lake has an increase in nutrients (eutrophication)(eutrophication) Then more plants, algae, and bacteria start Then more plants, algae, and bacteria start

to growto grow This uses up the oxygen dissolved in the This uses up the oxygen dissolved in the

waterwater No oxygen = No lifeNo oxygen = No life

end

Aquatic Biomes- Freshwater Aquatic Biomes- Freshwater WetlandsWetlands Areas of land covered with Areas of land covered with

fresh water for part of the fresh water for part of the yearyear

2 types:2 types: MarshesMarshes

Contains Non-woody Contains Non-woody plantsplants

SwampsSwamps Contains woody plants Contains woody plants

(trees and shrubs)(trees and shrubs) Originally thought to be Originally thought to be

“wastelands”“wastelands” We are now trying to fix the We are now trying to fix the

damage we have causeddamage we have causedend

Aquatic Biomes- Freshwater Aquatic Biomes- Freshwater WetlandsWetlands

Controls floodingControls flooding Nature’s water filter- no more Nature’s water filter- no more

pollution! :-) pollution! :-) Mating grounds for many animalsMating grounds for many animals

end

Aquatic Biomes- Rivers and Aquatic Biomes- Rivers and StreamsStreams

Begin with melting snow Begin with melting snow from the mountainsfrom the mountains Cold water with lots of Cold water with lots of

oxygenoxygen As you go down hill the As you go down hill the

water gets warmer with water gets warmer with less oxygenless oxygen

Different plants and Different plants and animals are found along the animals are found along the river based on the temp river based on the temp and amount of oxygenand amount of oxygen

The biggest threat is The biggest threat is runoff from industries runoff from industries

end

Aquatic Biomes- Coastal Aquatic Biomes- Coastal WetlandsWetlands

Areas covered by salt water for part of the Areas covered by salt water for part of the yearyear

EstuaryEstuary Area where fresh water from a river mixes Area where fresh water from a river mixes

with salt water from the oceanwith salt water from the ocean Constantly is replenished with nutrientsConstantly is replenished with nutrients

Making it a very productive biome (lots of Making it a very productive biome (lots of organisms)organisms)

Organisms have to be able to survive in a wide Organisms have to be able to survive in a wide range of salt content (Very Little Salt to Lots range of salt content (Very Little Salt to Lots of Salt)of Salt)

Have been used in the past as a waste dumpHave been used in the past as a waste dump Killing off lots of organismsKilling off lots of organisms

end

Coral ReefsCoral Reefs Limestone ridges build by tiny coral Limestone ridges build by tiny coral

animalsanimals Live in clear, warm salt waterLive in clear, warm salt water Extremely diverse organismsExtremely diverse organisms Many are in danger of destruction Many are in danger of destruction

from humansfrom humans Climate Change, Pollution, Over-FishingClimate Change, Pollution, Over-Fishing

end

OceansOceans Most life concentrated in the shallow Most life concentrated in the shallow

waterswaters Sunlight only penetrates about 100 m (330 Sunlight only penetrates about 100 m (330

ft)ft) Different organisms are found at certain Different organisms are found at certain

depths depending on the amount of sunlightdepths depending on the amount of sunlight One of the One of the least least productive biomesproductive biomes Pollution and Over-Fishing are the Pollution and Over-Fishing are the

biggest threatsbiggest threats

end

Biome Ecosystems

Types of plants Climate

Altitude Tropical Rain Forest

Buttresses Canopy

Temperate Deciduous Taiga

Temperate Grassland Desert

Tundra Littoral zone

Benthic zone Marsh

Swamps Freshwater wetland

Snow topped mountains

Coastal wetland

Estuary Coral reefs

First 100 meters Hydrothermal vents