BIOMESBy Emily Freel

Tropical Rainforests: an ecosystem type that occurs roughly within the latitudes 28 degrees north or south of the equator. This ecosystem experiences high average temperatures

and a significant amount of rainfall.

ClimateRain forests belong to the tropical wet climate group. The temperature in a rain forest rarely

gets higher than 93 °F or below 68 °F;

average humidity is between 77 and 88 percent, and rainfall usually adds up to

100+ inches a year.

Location on Planet

Plant and Animal Life

Adaptations: • Long arms, legs and tails

to swing through trees and avoid ground predators

• Wings to avoid ground predators

• Elongated/slender fingers or beaks to reach food in narrow, difficult-to-reach places

• Camouflage to hunt prey or hide from predators

The Aye-AyeThis is a small primate that

resides primarily in Madagascar that has evolved to feed nocturnally in order to avoid day-time predators. It

has large eyes and uses echolocation. The aye-aye

also possesses an especially elongated middle finger which it uses to scoop insects from

small holes in trees that otherwise could not be

reached.

The Venus Fly TrapSince sunlight can be so scarce on the floor of the

rainforest, there are plants that are carnivorous. The

venus fly trap has adapted to obtain nutrients from animal matter – specifically insects, which it attracts with sweet

nectar.

Human Impact

Environmental In the process of deforestation, humans cut down trees (every second, a section the size of a football field is cut down). The

amount of rainforest on the planet has been reduced from 14

to 6 percent. The absence of trees leads to endangerment and

extinction, habitat loss, soil erosion, and climate change.

SocialIndigenous people that live in the rainforests lose their homes and their cultures to deforestation. Also, medicine is being limited

because of the decreasing availability of ingredients that we

get from rainforest plants.

Temperate Deciduous Forests :a type of forest characterized by trees that seasonally shed their leaves; the trees of deciduous forests usually produce nuts and winged seeds.

ClimateThe average

annual temperature in

a deciduous forest is 50° F. The average

rainfall is 30 to 60 inches a

year.

Location on Planet:

Animal and Plant Life

Adaptations Migration: the torpid or resting

state in which some animals pass the winter

Adaptation: the making of something suitable for a new use or purpose; modification

The SquirrelOne adaptation that is extremely

beneficial to a squirrel's lifestyle is the anatomy of their back legs. Squirrels are able to rotate their hind feet which allows them to descend down a tree head first. This is helpful for avoiding predation as well as reaching for food and traveling

from tree to tree. They also have a heightened olfactory sense. This aids them

in their search for food. A good memory also helps them to rediscover the food that they have hidden and stored for

winter.The Oak Tree

This is a deciduous tree. This means it drops its leaves in the fall, and grows new ones in the spring. Its thin, broad, light-

weight leaves capture lots of energy from the sun in the warm weather. In cold

weather, the leaves cause too much water loss, and can be weighed down by snow, and so they fall from the tree. Another

adaptation includes thick bark that protects against cold temperatures.

Human Impact

Humans cut down large areas of temperate deciduous forests for the valuable timber and rich

soil. While there is a need for these items, the forests suffer terribly from deforestation. Also, the

nutrients in the forests’ soil is considerably decreased, which lessens the abundance of overall plant life. Another way that humans are impacting

deciduous forests is through pollution. The increased release of toxins into the atmosphere

leads to acid rain, which causes more damage to deciduous forests than any other factor.

Taigas

CLIMATE LOCATION ON PLANET

The taiga climate is for the most part dominated by cold arctic air. Exceptionally cold winds bring cold air from the Arctic Circle. The temperatures fall even more on clear nights when there is no cloud cover. Winter, with its freezing cold temperatures, lasts for six to seven months. Summer is a rainy, hot and short season in the taiga. Fall is the shortest season for taiga. Spring brings flowers, the frozen ponds melt, and the animals come out from hibernation.

Animal and Plant Life

Adaptations• Migration to warmer regions

in the winter• Ability to produce a layer of

insulation (feathers or fur)

The ErmineThe ermine is a small mammal that resides in northern

biomes such as tundras, as well as taigas. It is a carnivore with very sharp teeth. Its flexible spine

allows it to do the "marten run" in which the hind feet are tucked in by the front feet, causing the back to arch, and then extend. In the summer, its coat is

chocolate brown with a white underbelly and a black tip on the tail. In the winter the coat turns entirely

white except for the black end of its tail, which protects it from predators.

The Evergreen TreeThis is a primary tree of the taiga biome. Its cone shape helps prevent damage. It never loses its

needles, and they help to keep the tree warm during the winter. Its branches droop downward to shed

excess snow.

Human Impact

Deforestation: Current extensive logging in taiga forests may soon lead to their disappearance.

Acid Rain: Air pollution from the burning of fossil fuels is causing rain to be more acidic, which weakens the trees and limits the amounts of nutrients available to them.

Global Warming: Biologists and scientists think temperature changes over the next century may occur at rates 15 to 50 times faster than historical averages. Organisms will have trouble responding to these changes and will face even greater odds of surviving. Extreme changes in temperature and precipitation could cause climatic zones to shift.

Savannas

CLIMATE LOCATION ON PLANET

In the savanna climate, there is a distinct dry season in the winter. Savannas get all their rain in the summer months. The temperature ranges from 68° to 86° F. In the winter, it is usually about 68° to 78° F. In the summer the temperature ranges from 78° to 86° F. The temperature does not change much - when it does, it’s very gradual. Annual precipitation is around 10 to 30 inches of rain.

Animal and Plant Life

Adapataions• Long legs or wings to travel

and migrate• Long mechanisms/features

to reach far-away food and water

• Storage mechanisms for food/water/energy during dry seasons

The ZebraSince its vibrant colors make it easy to spot, this

mammal lives in herds to protect it from predators. This actually acts as camouflage, so that one may not

be spotted as an individual.

Acacia SenegalAcacia senegal is a low branching shrub or tree that

starts out small and may grow to 7 meters high (maximum 15 meters). The tree flowers during the

rainy season and loses its leaves during the dry season. When water is only available at great depth,

deeply penetrating tap roots can develop, and the tree will grow considerably larger than normal.

Human Impact

Humans haven caused a lot of changes to the landscape of and the animals in savanna biomes over a long period of time. Large areas of savannas have been turned into farmland for growing crops and for rearing cattle. Sometimes, fires are started by humans and they spread quickly through grasses and damage the soils. Moreover, a large number of animals have been hunted for their valuable body parts.

Chaparrals

CLIMATE LOCATION ON PLANET

In the winter, the Chapparal climate (which is also known as the Mediterranean climate), is mild and moist, but not often rainy. During the summer it is very hot and dry. The temperature is usually mild but it can range from very hot to nearly freezing. The temperature range is between 30° and 100° F.This biome only gets about 10-17 inches of rain all year, and most of it comes in the winter.

Animal and Plant Life

Adaptations• Hard exteriors to survive

long periods of dryness• Hairy exteriors to collect

and use moisture out of the air

Black-tailed JackrabbitThough it is called a jackrabbit, it is actually a hare.

They are born with fur for protection against the harsh, dry weather conditions. They have huge ears,

through which blood flow can be regulated, which helps the jackrabbit to absorb heat or cool off. It has long legs, and can reach speeds upwards of 36 mph.

The soles of their feet are covered with fur, which cushions their step. Their silver and tan fur blends in

well with the chaparral landscape.

Blue OakBlue oaks are adapted to drought and dry climates.

They can survive temperatures above 100° F for several weeks at a time. In deep, moist soil it can grow

up to 60 feet. It is a winter deciduous tree, but will sometimes shed its leaves during severely hot and dry

years and go dormant.

Human Impact

Mainly, humans build tourist attractions in the chaparral biome. One of the major threats is humans coming in and building industries and factories. This affects organisms that depend on natural forest fires to survive. The biome is being simplified to suit modern human needs. As a result, more and more organisms are becoming threatened and endangered. Sustainable revolution is very important in this biome. It is important to have an environment that both humans, plants, and animals can live in. With this evolution, involves cooperation between humans and other organisms. Conservation biology is occurring in the biome. It is a research study that researches the effects that humans have on the environment. Restoration ecology, however, is restoring the environment so that it can be safe for organisms to live. This is also taking place in the chaparrals.

Deserts

CLIMATE LOCATION ON PLANET

Approximately one inch of rain falls in dry deserts per year. The average annual temperature of these miles of hot sand is 64° F. The climate is very dry; in the day time, temperatures usually exceed 70 degrees while night time temperatures can be freezing.

Animal and Plant Life• The ability to store water

over long periods of time• Hard exteriors for

protection and body temperature regulation

Barrel CactusThis is a cylinder-shaped plant , and is one of the largest cacti in the North American Deserts. The cactus usually reaches 5-11 feet in height. It is

protected by sharp 3-4 inch spines.

Armadillo LizardThe nostrils of the Armadillo Lizard are formed into little tubes, which help the lizard smell for food or

predators. A ground-dwelling lizard, it is active in the daytime and feeds on a wide variety of insects, as well

as on spiders and other invertebrates. Its head is narrow in shape. It is fairly slow moving animal, but

when the Armadillo Lizard thinks it’s in danger, it can run considerably fast for safety.

Human Impact

The desert is very fragile in many ways, because of the scarcity of water and plants. Most plants that live in the desert take a long time (sometimes centuries) to grow. Once plants are destroyed, it will take many years for them to grow back. Since soil in the desert is held down by the plants roots, once plants are destroyed the soil is, too. The soil will quickly erode away in the strong winds. Many types of human activities hurt the desert. Off roading is one of these activities. Many people drive their off road vehicles in unrestricted areas all over the desert. Their vehicles leave tracks on the soil, which will scar the land for decades. These tracks also kill off vegetation. When vegetation is harmed, so are the animals. When vegetation dwindles in population, in popular off roading areas, so does the animal population. Animals that hide in the sand can also be harmed.

Tundras

CLIMATE

LOCATION ON PLANET

It is cold through all months of the year Summer is a brief period of milder climates when the sun shines almost 24 hours a day. The short summer lasts only 6 to 10 weeks. It never gets any warmer than 45 or 50° F. The warmer weather causes a layer of permafrost, to melt, creating bogs and shallow lakes that don't drain. The wind blows constantly.During the long winter months the sun barely rises and it is dark for most of the day. Winter temperatures don't reach above 20° F and average -20° to -30°F. The tundra is an unusually cold and dry climate. Precipitation totals 6-10 inches of rain a year.

Animal and Plant Life

• Thick skin and fur to survive harsh/cold temperatures

• Large feet that allow navigation through and over snow

Arctic FoxThe Arctic fox makes its home in small burrows in

frost-free ground, often in low mounds, or in rock piles. Because the Arctic fox is a scavenger it can usually

find food to eat. It has short legs and a long bushy tail that it uses as insulation by wrapping it around itself

when sleeping. Its long hair is white in the winter, and blue/grey in the summer. Its head has a stubby

muzzle, small ears, and large eyes. Its feet are lined with fur, which helps it conserve heat. The Arctic fox is

a predator, and has adapted a stealthy movement .

Arctic MossThe Arctic Moss is an aquatic plant that grows on the

bottom of tundra lake beds. Like all mosses, it is a bryophyte, meaning they have rhizoids (tiny rootlets) instead of roots. They have tiny leaves, usually only one cell thick. There are lots of leaves on the stem.

They do not have flowers. They can either reproduce by growing shoots or by sending out spores, which need to be wet to survive. It is very slow growing. It

grows as slow as one centimeter per year. It also lives a very long time; the shoots live seven to nine years,

the leaves live for four. It is brown in color. Its branches are crowded. It is one of the few plants on

the tundra.

Human Impact

Human influences in the Arctic are both seen and unseen. Human activity has seen a dramatic change in the arctic due to climate change. This is by far the worse impact human activity has had on the globe. Other human influences are the vast and untapped oil reserves in the Arctic have made it a target for oil companies. Oil and gas pipelines are a huge human influence in the Arctic. Garbage and other waste not to mention the impact of the oil and gas industry have left some parts of the Arctic polluted.

Sources

http://www.blueplanetbiomes.org/rainforest.htm http://

www.ehow.com/list_6862950_adaptations-animals-tropical-rainforest.html

https://sites.google.com/site/vivianstropicalrainforest/human-impact

http://www.cotf.edu/ete/modules/msese/earthsysflr/dforestA.html

http://www.geography.learnontheinternet.co.uk/topics/taiga.html#humans