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Ecology: Biomes Earth’s Diverse Ecosystems Biomes • Major regional land ecosystems defined by climate (temperature and precipitation) and vegetation type • Climate is influenced by – Sun – Rotation and Tilt of Earth – Regional Effects Angle of Incident Sunlight Affects Temperature Sunlight strikes the earth at a steeper angle and over a smaller area at the equator. Temperatures are highest at the equator and decline at latitudes toward the poles. Earth’s Tilt Affects the Seasons Short days; Long nights; Winter Long days; Short nights; Summer Reversed when on the other side of the Sun Air Currents and Climatic Regions •Warm air rises near equator (0o) – Cools and releases rain – Draws air from surrounding area •Rising air travels North and South from equator – Dry, warm air descends at 30° both North and South •Cycle is repeated again at 60° and 90° latitudes Wind Is Influenced by Temperature and the Earth’s Rotation •Earth’s rotation bends paths of air moving in N-S direction – Air moving toward equator turns west – Air moving away from equator turns east – wind belts named for direction they come from Low (Altitude) High Regional Effects: Influence of Elevation on Temperature Equatorial (Latitude) Polar Regional Effects: Rain Shadow Average Annual Precipitation (cm) 150 Altitude (m) 5000 4000 100 3000 2000 50 1000 0 West East Precipitation in the Sierra Nevada Mountains 0 Regional Effects: Ocean Circulation Patterns N. Pacific Gyre S. Pacific Gyre N. Atlantic Gyre S. Atlantic Gyre Sun influences ocean currents Applying Your Knowledge 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. Earth’s Tilt and Rotation Around Sun Rain Shadow Elevation Ocean Circulation Patterns Angle of Incidence of Sun’s Rays Which one best explains: A. dry conditions on the east side of the Sierra Nevada mountain range? B. winter weather in NE United States? C. warm temperatures at the equator? The Distribution of 11 Biomes High (Temperature) Low Rainfall and Temperature Affect Biome Distribution Dry (Rainfall) Wet Tropical Rain Forest Tropical Rain Forest Biome • Climate – Warm temperatures – Large amounts of rainfall • Plant Life – Tall, broad-leaved evergreen trees – Competition is the limiting factor for plant growth – Greatest diversity of species on the planet • Location – Along the equator Observing the Costa Rican Rain Forest Savanna Savanna • Climate – Short rainy season – Long, severe droughts • Plant and Animal Life – Grass with scattered clumps of trees – Large mammals • Location – Along the edges of tropical deciduous forests Deserts Desert • Climate – Less than 10 inches of annual rainfall – Temperature extremes • Plant Life – Widely-spaced vegetation – Wild flower blooms • Location – 20-30o North and South latitudes – In rain shadows of mountain ranges Chaparral Chaparral • Climate – Mild rainy winters (30”) – Long, hot, dry summers • Other factors – fire • Plant Life – Small trees – Spiny shrubs • Location – Coastal regions that border on deserts Grasslands • Climate – 10-30 inches of rainfall in summer – Snow in winter • Other factors – Periodic droughts – Frequent fires – Grazing animals • Plant Life – Grasses – Trees found only along rivers • Location – Centers of continents Grassland Temperate Deciduous Forests Temperate Deciduous Forest • Climate – 30-60 inches of rainfall, most during summer – Cold winters • Plant and Animal Life – Layered vegetation: trees, shrubs, wildflowers – Deciduous trees: lose leaves in cold, dry weather – Abundant animal species • Location – East of grasslands in North America – Western Europe – East Asia Taiga Taiga • Climate – Short growing season – Long, cold winters • Plant and Animal Life – Evergreen conifers – Limited species diversity • Location – North of grasslands and deciduous forests (50o-65o N) – Mountainous areas Tundra • Climate – Long cold winters – Short cool summers – 10 or fewer inches of precipitation • Other factors – Permafrost limits root growth • Plant and Animal Life – Grasses – Perennial flowering plants – Breeding area for birds • Location – Bordering Arctic Ocean Tundra And the Very Last Set of Hints…. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. Desert Taiga Temperate Deciduous Forest Tropical Rain Forest Tundra Which biome is characterized by: A. trees that lose their leaves in cold weather? B. permafrost? C. coniferous forests?
