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Chapter 4: Kinds of
Ecosystems
Section. 4.1: Forests
What are biomes?
Biomes are areas that have distinctive
climates and organisms.
Biomes are usually named for there
plant life, because the plants dictate
what other life lives there.
What dictates plant life in a certain
area?
The main deterrent is climate – refers
to weather conditions in an area over a
long period of time.
Typically precipitation and temperature
are the most important factors in a
regions climate.
What dictates plant life in a certain
area?
The main deterrent is climate – refers
to weather conditions in an area over a
long period of time.
Typically precipitation and temperature
are the most important factors in a
regions climate.
The soils of biomes are different.
Because
climate largely
defines biomes,
latitude and
altitude are
important
defining these
regions as well!
The same biome often occurs
in several places on Earth.
Although they may have different
species of plants and animals, they
have similar characteristics and
niches.
Forest Ecosystems
Forest ecosystems cover areas with
relatively high average yearly rainfall.
Different types of forest biomes:
Tropical Rain Forest
Tropical Rain Forest Characteristics
They cover large areas on both sides of
the equator.
Tropical Rain Forest Characteristics
They cover large areas on both sides of
the equator.
Hot and humid all year around.
High average rainfall – receive about
100 inches a year.
Strong sunlight year around with little
seasonal change.
Tropical Rain Forest Characteristics
Vegetation grows in distinct layers.
*Lower layer plants are adapted to
receiving less light.
*Examples: Broad leaves, and the
ability to use vines to climb up other
plants.
Tropical forest soil is very poor and at
times are less than a few inches deep.
Tropical Rain Forest Characteristics
Tropical forest soil is very poor and at
times are less than a few inches deep.
*Heavy rainfall washes away the soil
too fast for decomposition to
replace.
*Plants tend to have root systems
that spread across the top of the soil
rather than under the soil.
Tropical Rain Forest
The most important
characteristic of the tropical
rainforest is the diversity of life!
1 hectare of temperate forest = 10 species
1 hectare of tropical rain forest = 100 species
Threats to Tropical Rain Forest
Use to cover 20% of
the Earth’s
surface….now they
cover 7%.
Logging operations
destroy large areas.
Land cleared slash
and burning for
farming.
Different types of forest biomes:
Tropical Rain Forest
Tropical Deciduous Forest/Scrub Forest
Tropical Deciduous Forest/Scrub Forest
Tend to have less water than the rain
forest.
Tend to have most of their rain during 1
season rather than all year round.
The trees tend to lose their leaves
during the dry.
Different types of forest biomes:
Tropical Rain Forest
Tropical Deciduous Forest/Scrub Forest
Temperate Deciduous Forest
Temperate Deciduous Forest
Characteristics
They are found in moist areas with
long, warm summers and cold winters.
Precipitation is moderate and regular
throughout the year (30-100 inches)
Typically occur between 30 and 50
degrees north latitude.
Typically dominated by five species of
trees:
1. Oaks
2. Maples
3. Hickory
4. Beech
5. Sycamore
Temperate Deciduous Forest
Characteristics
Trees of the forest are deciduous
meaning that their leaves turn brilliant
colors of red, gold, orange in the fall;
drop off; and then grow back in the
spring.
Many of the large predators of the
deciduous forest have died or been
killed off.
Temperate Deciduous Forest
Characteristics
Today the forest is dominated by bears,
deer, squirrels, rabbits, raccoon and
opossum.
Major Threat to Temperate
Deciduous Forest
Most of the old growth forests have been
destroyed by lumbering, urbanization and
farming.
Different types of forest biomes:
Tropical Rain Forest
Tropical Deciduous Forest/Scrub Forest
Temperate Deciduous Forest
Taiga
Taiga Characteristics
Stretches in a large band across the
northern hemisphere just below the
Arctic Circle.
Evergreen conifers are dominant tree
species.
The leaves of the conifer are thin,
needle-like leaves with a waxy coating.
They include:
Red Pine
White Pine
Taiga Characteristics
The leaf structure offers protection
against the cold and holds moisture.
Typically these forests have long winters
– 6-10 months.
They are extremely cold at times the
temperature plummets below –20 C.
The growing season may be as short as
50 days.
Taiga Characteristics
Constant daily during
summer that
accelerates the
growing season.
Most precipitation
falls as snow.