1

Biomes

Section 1.13

Pp 42-44

2

Define Biomes

Collection of ecosystems which have similar plants and animals and share common soil type and climate.

3

Define Biogeography

The study of distribution of plants and animals.

Ecosystems have similar abiotic factors such as temperature, water, soil type, and amount of light.

4

Biomes of Canada

Due to its latitude, Canada has four main terrestrial (land) biomes which are described below:

1.The Tundra Biome

2.The Boreal Forest Biome

3.The Temperate Deciduous Forest Biome

4.The Grassland Biome

5

1.The Tundra Biome

CommunitiesRapid-flowering plants

Mosses and lichens

Ptarmigan

Caribou

Lemmings

Arctic Foxes

Wolverines

Abiotic FactorsVery low temperatures for most of year

Short growing season

Low precipitation

Permafrost

Thin, active topsoil

Poor soil quality

6

2.The Boreal Forest Biome

CommunitiesConiferous trees: spruce,

fir, pine, cedar

Shade-loving plants: ferns & mosses

Seed-eating birds

Squirrels

Snowshoe hare, deer

Grey wolves

Abiotic Factors

Harsh climate, warmer than tundra

Changeable weather, temperature extremes

Acidic soil contains some water

Precipitation 40 cm/year or more

7

3.The Temperate Deciduous Forest Biome

CommunitiesDeciduous trees: maple

Many shrubs, ferns

Tree & ground squirrels

Many insects & rodents

Woodpeckers

Deer

Black bears

Wolves

Abiotic FactorsLonger growing season than boreal forest

Higher temperatures than tundra or boreal

Faster decomposition rate, therefore fertile soil

Precipitation up to 100cm/year

8

4.The Grassland Biome

CommunitiesGrasslands

Grasshoppers

Bison

Voles, mice

Snakes

Hawks

Wolves

Abiotic Factors

Longer growing season than boreal forest

Higher temperatures than tundra or boreal forest

Rich, fertile soil

Precipitation from 25 -75 cm /year

9

Ecosystems and Abiotic Factors

Amount of precipitation…

Example: Boreal Forest lots of precipitation, therefore animals like beaver & moose.

Climate (temperature)… Varies with latitude and altitude.

10

Ecosystems and Abiotic Factors

Soil type…poor soils like permafrost support certain plants and animals.

Level of sunlight...Grassland receive more than Boreal forest

11

Terrestrial Biomes

Terrestrial (land) biomes are defined by the dominant type of plant life (climax community). The terrestrial biomes include the Tropical Rain Forest, Temperate Deciduous Forest, Deserts, Grasslands, Taiga, and Tundra.

12

Aquatic Biomes

There are also two types of aquatic biomes,

1. The marine (saltwater or ocean) biome, and

2. The freshwater biomes (rivers, lakes, ponds, swamps, bogs, etc.).