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CHAPTER SIX: BIOMES Section One: What is a Biome? Biome: a large region characterized by a specific type of climate and certain types of plants and animal communities Section One: What is a Biome? Biomes and Vegetation Biomes are described by the plants found there because plants that grow in a certain region are the most noticeable characteristic. Plants in particular biomes have adaptations that allow them to survive there. Section One: What is a Biome? Biomes and Climate Climate: the weather conditions in an area over a long period of time Temperature and Precipitation Organisms have a specific range of temperature and precipitation they have adapted to survive in. Section One: What is a Biome? Biomes and Climate Latitude Biomes and Altitude vary by latitude and altitude Latitude: the distance north to south of the equator and is measured in degrees Altitude: the height of an object above sea level Section Two: Forest Biomes Tropical Rain Forest Temperate Forests Temperate Deciduous Forests Section Two: Forest Biomes Tropical Rain Forest Located at the belt around the earth near the equator Help regulate world climate and play a vital role in the nitrogen, oxygen, and carbon cycles Section Two: Forest Biomes Tropical Rain Forests Climate is relatively constant and humid year round with strong sunlight Warm and humid conditions make it an ideal place for a wide variety of plants and animals Section Two: Forest Biomes Tropical Rain Forests Organic matter decays quickly in the warm and humid conditions Decomposers break down the matter and it is taken up by the plants Section Two: Forest Biomes Tropical Rain Forests Layers of the Rain Forest Emergent Layer: top layer that consists of trees that emerge into direct sunlight Canopy: the primary layer that absorbs up to 95% of the sunlight Epiphytes: use entire surface of large trees to grow and support Understory: layer where very little light reaches Section Two: Forest Biomes Section Two: Forest Biomes Tropical Rain Forests Species The Diversity biome with the greatest amount Some animals have specialized adaptations Section Two: Forest Biomes Tropical Rain Forests Threats to the Forest Tropical rain forests once covered 20% of the Earth, now they only cover 7% Habitat destruction for logging, agriculture, or oil production Poaching and the Black Market Valuable plant and animal species Section Two: Forest Biomes Temperate Rain Forest In North America, Austrailia, and New Zealand Ex. Pacific Northwest Large amounts of precipitation, high humidity, and moderate temperatures Forest floor is usually covered in mosses, lichens, and ferns Spruce and Fir trees are the most common Section Two: Forest Biomes Section Two: Forest Biomes Temperate Deciduous Forest A forest in which trees drop their leaves each fall Temperature and vegetation change with the seasons Decomposing of organic matter happens slowly Section Two: Forest Biomes Temperate Deciduous Forest Plants Grow in layers like the tropical rain forest Maple, Oak, and Birch trees grow in the canopy Small trees and shrubs cover the understory More ferns, herbs, and mosses grow on the floor Section Two: Forest Biomes Temperate Deciduous Forest Animals Adapted to use the forest plant for food and shelter Many of the birds are migratory Section Two: Forest Biomes Taiga The northern coniferous forest that stretches in a broad band across the Northern Hemisphere Winters are long Conifers, like pines grow here Section Two: Forest Biomes Taiga Plants Most have a waxy coating to prevent water loss Cone shape of the trees helps to prevent the snow from covering them which could cause the branches to break Extremely low decomposition rate and acidic soil Section Two: Forest Biomes Taiga Animals Many lakes and swamps during the summer that attract birds Many animals hibernate Some animals shed their fur with the seasons Section Three: Grassland, Desert, and Tundra Biomes Savannas A biome dominated by grasses, shrubs, and small trees Africa, India, Austrailia, and South America Rainfall during the wet season The only time plants can grow Section Three: Grassland, Desert, and Tundra Biomes Savanna Plants Can survive long periods of time without water Die during the dry season Trees and shrubs usually have sharp thorns or leaves to keep herbivores away Section Three: Grassland, Desert, and Tundra Biomes Savanna Animals Grazing herbivores that are migratory Predators follow herbivores Many animals only have offspring during the wet season when food is plentiful Section Three: Grassland, Desert, and Tundra Biomes Temperate Grasslands Cover large areas of the interior of continents Moderate rainfall North America, Asia, South Africa, South America Mountains prevent much of the rainfall Fires are common from lightening strikes during the summer Section Three: Grassland, Desert, and Tundra Biomes Section Three: Grassland, Desert, and Tundra Biomes Temperate Grasslands Plants Grasses and wildflowers Most fertile soil in the world Slow decomposition in the winter Trees and shrub only grow near plentiful water such as near streams Section Three: Grassland, Desert, and Tundra Biomes Temperate Grasslands Animals Grazing animals like bison Badgers, prairie dogs, burrowing owls Section Three: Grassland, Desert, and Tundra Biomes Temperate Grasslands Threats Farming and overgrazing Erosion The Dust Bowl Section Three: Grassland, Desert, and Tundra Biomes Chaparral Temperate shrubland biome that is found in all five parts of the world with a Mediterranean climate Dry coastal climates Little to no rain in the summer Section Three: Grassland, Desert, and Tundra Biomes Chaparral Plants Low-lying evergreen shrubs and small trees that grow in patches Plants are adapted to fire and can sprout from small bits of tissue Section Three: Grassland, Desert, and Tundra Biomes Chaparral Animals Excellent camouflage Quail, lizards, chipmunks, mule deer Threats Human development Section Three: Grassland, Desert, and Tundra Biomes Deserts Biome with widely scattered vegetation and little rain Only in extreme cases is there no rain or vegetation Hot during the day and cold during the night Located near mountain ranges Section Three: Grassland, Desert, and Tundra Biomes Deserts Plants All have adaptations for conserving water Succulents: have thick fleshy stems and leaves the store water Some have spines to ward off animals Ex. Cacti Many shrubs lose their leaves during the dry season Section Three: Grassland, Desert, and Tundra Biomes Deserts Animals Reptiles have the skin necessary to prevent water loss Some amphibians estivate Estivation: burying themselves in the ground and sleeping through the dry season Some animals nest in cactuses Many animals are nocturnal Section Three: Grassland, Desert, and Tundra Biomes Tundra Biome located in the north arctic regions Winter is too cold for tree growth Permafrost: layers of deeper soil permanently frozen throughout the year Summer Great landscape is moist and spongy with bogs for insects like mosquitos Section Three: Grassland, Desert, and Tundra Biomes Section Three: Grassland, Desert, and Tundra Biomes Tundra Plants Mosses and lichens Short flowering plants Section Three: Grassland, Desert, and Tundra Biomes Tundra Animals Migratory birds Caribou and moose Wolves and arctic foxes Threats Oil exploration Pollution