Biomes. Biomes. Biomes. Biomes. Biomes 12/19/2014. Biome. Temperate Deciduous Forest

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1 Biome Group of ecosystems with similar abiotic and biotic conditions Spread throughout Earth Classified by climate and plant/animal life Hot Desert (most) Tropical Rainforest Chapparal Intermediate Temperate Rainforest Temperate Grasslands Cold Taiga Wet Tropical Rainforest Temperate Rainforest Intermediate Taiga Dry Temperate Grasslands Chapparal Desert Evenly spread precipitation m Temperature extremes 95 F in the summer, < 0 F winter Plants grow in layers The canopy contains tall trees like maple, oak, and birch The understory contains smaller trees, shrubs, and ferns Trees shed leaves in fall Seeds are dormant till spring Birds migrate Many animals hibernate Year-round animals store food for winter 1

2 Temperate Deciduous Forests Chipmunk eats pecans, spreading tree s seeds Blackberry grows into grass space Squirrel lives in oak tree Temperate Grasslands (Prairies) Moderate precipitation m Have hot summers and cold winters Wildfires common in summer Most fertile soil Corn and wheat fields common Temperate Grasslands (Prairies) Grasses grow from roots Continue to grow after grazing Winds don t harm low plants/grass Animals burrow Nowhere to hide aboveground Grazing animals are large Temperate Grasslands Cattle egret eats insects that cows stir up Brown-headed cowbird lays eggs in nests of other birds Hawk and fox fight for rabbits Temperate Rain Forest High humidity High precipitation m Relatively constant moderate temperature ~ 68 F Tall coniferous trees Temperate Rain Forest Mosses grow and cover many of the trees Due to high humidity Animals have varied diets Eat any food available Strong jaws/beaks to eat nuts and seeds 2

3 Temperate Rain Forests Algae and fungus create lichens Opossum burrows in hole dug by woodchuck Cougar and wolves compete for elk Tropical Rain Forest Located in a belt near the equator Are always humid and warm Receive m of rain per year Fairly constant temperatures year round Are home to more species than any other biome Nutrient poor soil Trees provide most nutrients Tropical Rain Forest Plants have shallow roots Absorb nutrients near top Predator plants Nutrients from animals, not soil Epiphytes Grow on plants, not on soil Tropical Rain Forests Capuchin monkeys eat nectar, spread pollen treetree Epiphyte grows up tree branch to reach light Orangutan and spider monkey compete for berries High temp. year round Rainfall is seasonal m Often used for agricultural land Less dense canopies than rain forest Tropical Dry Forest Trees are deciduous Prevent water loss Some trees have chlorophyll in trunk Animals estivate or migrate 3

4 Leeches feed on hosts Ants live inside acacia tree Trees roots compete for water/nutrients Tropical Dry Forests High Temperatures Low, seasonal precipitation m Full of grasses, scattered trees and shrubs Porous soil During the dry season grass fires occur and help to replenish the nutrients in the soil Plants store water for dry season Leaves grow vertically Less exposed to hot sun Some plants lose their leaves Animals follow rain for plants and water Predators follow migrating animals Ox peckers eat parasites off of rhinos Hyena eats leftovers from lion s prey Mammals compete for water beds Savanna Desert Driest places on earth < 0.25 m Well-spaced storms Hot days, cool nights Nutrient-poor soils Desert Plants are Succulents Thick fleshy stems and leaves that store water Roots are just under the surface so that they can absorb rain quickly Most desert animals are nocturnal Air is much cooler at night Reptiles have scaly skin Prevents water loss 4

5 Fleas feed on coyote Gopher snakes live in abandoned rodent homes Eagles and rattlesnakes fight for birds Desert Low precipitation m Very cold temperatures Short summers with long days Only a few centimeters of soil thaw Underneath topsoil is permafrost Nutrient-poor soil and harsh winds Most plants grow in little or no soil Most plants are short Absorb heat and anchor against wind Migratory birds fly in during summer Mosquitoes breed in thawed areas Year-long animals grow white fur Camouflage and warmth Tape worm in caribou Arctic fox eats animals dug up by caribou Hawk and wolf fight for small mammals in winter Tundra Taiga (Boreal Forest) Moderate rainfall m Long cold winters and short cool summers Average temperature < 0 C Nutrient-poor acidic soil Slow decomposition Low biodiversity Taiga (Boreal Forest) Floor has few plants Trees are conifers with needle-like waxy leaves Retain water when the ground is frozen and shed snow Birds fly south and animals burrow or migrate Some animals develop camouflage for winter 5

6 Winter tick on moose Eagle builds nest in tree Bears and wolverines hunt for rabbit Taiga Chaparral Moderate, very seasonal rainfall m Mild, wet winters and warm, dry summers Average temperature 0 20 C More shrubs than trees Frequent fires in dry season Chaparral Many plants have flammable oils Destroy competitors Thick leaves to stop evaporation in dry season Many animals are nocturnal or burrow Organs regulate heat Ex: Jackrabbit s ears Yucca and Yucca moth Dodder chokes off buckwheat Plants start fires to clear space for water and nutrients Chaparral 6