|
Climate is
the primary factor that determines what organisms can live in any given
habitat. Therefore, climate is what causes certain areas of the earth
to become distinctive
A BIOME is
a major ecosystem spread over a wide geographic area, and characterized
by certain types of flora and fauna. (plants and animals)
Note the
relative locations of the biomes, anything between the two tropics is
considered to be "Tropical", areas above those lines are called
"Temperate" and then even farther north (or south) you have
polar. It is important to remember those words because there are both
temperate and tropical forests - each having different attributes determined
primarily by the climate of the area.
Classification
of biomes is by PRODUCTIVITY - how much biomass is gained over a period
| Aquatic
Biomes |
|
Freshwater - lakes, ponds, rivers, streams
Varies in temperature, depending on location
Some lakes freeze over (Winterkill)
|
Marine - oceans
Saltwater
Photic zone - receives light
Aphotic zone - not enough light for photosynthesis
|
| Terrestrial
Biomes |
|
Polar
Very little plant growth (if any)
Photosynthetic organisms are marine
Bitterly cold temperatures
Supports some marine mammals & birds (penguins, whales)
|
Temperate Grassland - Prairie
Few trees, good soil supports grasses
Used as farmland
Animals: deer, buffalo
|
Chaparral
Found in dry regions of the mediterranian
Also called "scrubland"
Plants are mainly spiny shrubs
Animals: lizards, rodents, coyotes, birds
|
|
Taiga - Coniferous Forest
Found in Northern areas and on mountain sides
Conifers have needles shaped to shrug off snow (evergreens)
Logging of treese has reduced some forests
Animals: deer, wolf, foxes, birds
|
Desert
Very hot in day, cold at night
Low amounts of rainfall
Plant species are cactus or plants that store water
Animals: many lizards, some birds and small mammals
Usually located east of mountains
|
Temperate Deciduous Forest
Trees lose their leaves in the fall
Animals: fox, coyote, squirrels, rabbits, deer
Plants(trees): Oak, Maple, Sweet Gum
|
|
Savanna
Very dry, followed by short periods of heavy rain
Plants - grasses and drought resistant trees
Animals: elephants, gazelle, zebra, giraffe
|
Rainforest
Can be tropical (near equator) or temperate
High levels of rain
Great diversity of plants and animals
In mature forests, the floor doesn't have much growth due to tree
canopy blocking out the light
|
Tundra
Cold and Dry
Permafrost - layer of soil that remains permanently frozen
Large trees cannot grow, but grasses can in the warmer season
Supports migratory animals: caribou, wolves, bear
Lichens - major photosynthetic food source
|
|
