biome large region characterized by climate and types of plants and animal named by their vegetation plants that grow in an area determine the organism that live there
Climate versus Weather Climate - average weather conditions in an area over a long period of time 2 most important factors that determine region s climate: Temperature and precipitation Weather day-to-day conditions sunny, snowy, Climatographs describe conditions of a biome
Biome Map
Latitude (distance from equator) and altitude (height above sea level) determine the temperature and precipitation of a biome same biomes are in the same latitude Some variations among organisms in same biome based on soil, elevation, wind exposure, and sun exposure
Net Primary Production Gross primary production rate the producers carry out conversion of energy Net primary production biomass that remains after cellular respiration Net primary productivity rate that producers convert energy to biomass Warmer, wetter biomes have higher net primary productivity (plants need sunlight, water, and warm temps to grow)
Tropical Rain Forest Near the equator Year-round warm temps 12 hour days More rain than any other biome almost 7 feet per year Nutrient- poor soil 20% of the earth was once covered with tropical rain forest Now, only 7%
most nutrients are within plants, not within the soil leaves and other plant material fall to the ground, decomposers break down dead organism nutrients returned to soil, but plants quickly absorb the nutrients
Layers of the Rain Forest Emergent Layer top layer, tallest trees grow in direct sun Canopy tall dense covering keep forest dark and damp Understory shorter trees and plants and shrubs compete for available sunlight
Plant Adaptations Tall trees to gather sunlight Large, flat leaves to maximize light absorption Pitcher plants to trap animals Predatory plant life Epiphytes grow on other plants to gain height advantage for sunlight Buttresses aboveground roots to provide stability for thin soil Bright colors lure pollinators because not much wind Fast growing seeds compete for sunlight
buttresses
One hectare in the deciduous forest: only a few species One hectare in the Tropical Rain Forest: more than a 100 species One hectare =10,000m or 2.471 acres Animal Adaptations Live in canopy because more fruits and flowers special adaptations for capturing prey Camouflage anteater uses long tongue to reach insects in small cracks shaped like leaves or twigs Long prehensile tails and limbs
Tropical Dry Forest Warm year-round Wet and dry seasons Plant adaptations Deciduous lose leaves to reduce water loss during dry seasons Some trees have bark that contains chlorophyll (ceibo tree) to still maintain photosynthesis Extra coating of wax on leaves to prevent water loss Deeper roots to seek water Store water Thick bark to protect against fires
Animal Adaptations Adapted to seasonal fluctuations in precipitation and temperature Estivation migrate
estivation animals buries itself in the ground and sleeps through the dry season
Savanna (tropical grassland) grasslands cover some parts of Africa, Western India, Northern Australia, and parts of South America (between tropical dry and deserts) Less rain than tropical dry forests but more rain than deserts Grasses interspersed with trees Frequent fires and strong winds Vertical leaves to prevent water loss dry and wet seasons Soil is porous so water drains quickly
Plant Adaptations Deciduous and extra waxy coatings to prevent water loss Grow quickly to recover from fires Deep roots to access water Thick bark to protect from fires Store water for dry season (baobab trees) Bitter tastes, rough texture, thorns
Animal Adaptations Dig for water during dry season (tusks) Grazing Migrate Burrow for protection Estivation Give birth during rainy season when food and water is abundant
Temperate rain forest Characterized by cool to moderate, humid weather Abundant rainfall Plant Adaptations Lots of water and not much light under trees so most plants are low-laying mosses, lichens and ferns Coniferous trees seed-bearing cones Thick, waxy needles to prevent water loss Compete for sunlight so being tall is an advantage
Animal Adaptations Moisture-loving animals Varied diets to eat whatever food is available
Where is North America s only temperate rain forest? located in the Pacific Northwest, the Olympic National Park in Washington State
Deserts less than 25 cm of rain little to no vegetation extreme temperatures hot during day, cold at night Soil contains little organic matter
Plant Adaptations Thick, leathery leaves to reduce water loss Succulents store water in tissues Sharp, tough spines protection and prevents water loss Green stems and trunks for photosynthesis Shallow roots to gather water quickly Taproots deep roots to search for water
Animal Adaptations Get water from the food they eat Release concentrated urine conserve water Nocturnal active at night when cooler Burrow to avoid hot daytime temperatures Exaggerated appendages to release body heat quickly Sidewinders move so that only small areas of their bodies contact the hot sand at a given time
Temperate Forest Broad-leafed deciduous trees Seasonal loss of leaves to avoid damage in winter and remains dormant until spring Dropped leaves enrich the soil Precipitation is relatively even Range of temperatures Most of Europe, eastern Asia, and eastern U.S.
Adaptations Snowshoe hares shed brown summer fur and grow white fur that camouflages it in the winter snow Migration Hibernation deep, sleeplike state for winter live off stored fat Build up fat reserves and hide food
temperate grassland Mainly grass with very few trees hot summers and cold winters Rainfall moderate (50-88 cm of precipitation per/yr) Most fertile soil of any biome Much of U.S. grasslands have become farmland prairies and steppes Susceptible to fires and droughts
adaptations Large, flat back teeth for chewing coarse prairie grasses Underground burrows- protect from fires, weather, and predators Grasses grow from base so they can grow back after grazed upon or fires Roots form thick mats to capture moisture and nutrients
Chaparral Biome Primarily in coastal areas that have Mediterranean climates California, southern Australia, southern Africa, Europe Chaparral biomes get lots of sun, are near the oceans, and have a mild climate year-round ideal for commercial and residential use
dominated by more broadleaf evergreen shrubs located in areas with hot, dry summers and mild, wet winters
plants have small, waxy leaves that retain water contain oils that promote burning Hairs on leaves to retain moisture Thick bark, deep roots
Why is burning of a chaparral an advantage? fires destroy trees that might compete for light and space, helps seeds germinate, recycles nutrients
Adaptations Nocturnal Burrowing Long legs and ears to regulate heat
Boreal forest/taiga A region of coniferous forests located in a broad band across the Northern Hemisphere just below the Arctic Circle Long cold winters Short cool summers Nutrient poor, acidic soil winters are 6-10 months long
Adaptations conical shape of trees sheds snow easily waxy needles symbiotic relationship with fungi to take in nutrients animals feed, breed, and have young in few warm, winter months small extremities and thick insulation change colors
tundra Treeless plains located in the Arctic or Antarctic characterized by: Very low winter temperatures Very dry Short cold summers Harsh wind, nutrient poor soil Vegetation close to ground Permafrost - permanently frozen layer of soil or subsoil
Adaptations Ideal conditions for mosquitoes and other biting insects when ice in soil melts Animals migrate to feed on insects or lichen Polar bears and musk oxen survive year round, most others migrate Thick coats with insulating air spaces and wide hooves
Polar Ice Between tundra and the poles Most life found in the water Algae grow on ice and snow Some fish developed an antifreeze protein to keep blood from freezing Thick fur or blubber
Mountains Climbing in elevation causes rapid climate change Plants communities change along the slopes Can pass through several biomes by going up a mountain
What factors determines which organisms live in which areas of water? Temperature, sunlight, oxygen, salinity (amt. of salt) and nutrients determine which organisms live where
3 Zones Photic zone Uppermost layer Enough sun for photosynthesis Most life in this region More dissolved oxygen Warmest layer Aphotic zone No sunlight penetrates so no photosynthesis Benthic zone Can be sunlit or pitch dark Bottom of body of water Coldest layer Decomposers, insect larvae, and clams
Littoral zone - shallow zone where light reaches the bottom and nurtures plants Limnetic - Further from shore plants, algae, and bacteria use photosynthesis to gain energy
Amphibians bury themselves in the littoral mud to avoid freezing temperatures. Whiskers allow catfish to find food on dark bottom of lake
Freshwater wetlands areas of land that are covered with fresh water for at least part of the year
12 types of freshwater wetlands. Marshescontains nonwoody plants, such as cattails. Swampsdominated by woody plants such as trees and shrubs.
important environmental functions that wetlands perform Filters or sponges- absorb and remove pollutants; improves water quality Control flooding- absorb extra water when rivers overflow Feeding and spawning areas for game fish Habitat for native and migratory birds Carbon dioxide trap help to reduce atmospheric CO 2 Produce many commercially important products Example- cranberries. Recreation fishing, bird watching, hiking, canoeing, photography, and painting Provide buffer zone against erosion protect shorelines
estuary an area in which fresh water from a river mixes with salt water from the ocean.
What is the difference between a Mangrove swamp and a freshwater swamp? Fresh water water is non salty, and are ideal habitat for amphibians, such as frogs and salamanders -A Mangrove swamp occurs in warm climate, near the ocean and the water is salty. -Prevent erosion -Protect against damage from storms
What are the different kinds of marshes characterized by? Their salinity; Brackish marshes have slightly salty water. Salt marshes contain saltier water. Organisms are adapted to live within the ecosystem s range of salinity.
What makes a swamp different than a freshwater marsh? They occur on flat poorly drained land often near streams, but woody shrubs or water loving trees dominates them.
estuary salt marshes Where do salt marshes develop? They develop in estuaries where rivers deposit their load of mineral- rich mud.
Why are estuaries such a productive ecosystem? constantly receive fresh nutrients from both the river and ocean ecosystems Provide access to ocean and rivers Because estuaries receive plenty of light for photosynthesis and plenty of nutrients for plants and animals Producers feed consumers etc.
What special adaptation must organisms have to be able to live in an estuary? salt content of the water varies as fresh water and salt water mix when tides go in and out. Must be able to tolerate changes in salinity
Organic pollution from humans Why are estuaries vulnerable to the effects of pollution? ocean, lake, and river pollutants enter estuaries dense human settlements surround most estuaries
Marine ecosystems are located mainly in coastal areas and in the open ocean Neritic ecosystem entirely sunlight, great productivity Kelp forests and coral reefs Open ocean Begins at continental shelf 90% of ocean water Most is aphotic bioluminescence
Formation of Coral Reefs coral reef limestone ridge found in tropical climates and composed of coral fragments that are deposited around organics remains How are coral reefs formed? Coral polyps secrete skeletons of limestone, (calcium carbonate), which slowly accumulate and forms coral reefs. Rebuild very slowly Water that is too hot or cold can damage reefs by killing corals Muddy water can kill the algae that live within corals