did you ever wonder
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Did you ever wonder. How cacti can survive the hot climate of the desert? Thick, waxy coat to prevent the loss of water through transpiration . Biomes . Unit 5: Biosphere Ms. Thind. Biome. Planetary ecosystem that has evolved under certain climatic conditions - PowerPoint PPT PresentationTRANSCRIPT
Did you ever wonder.... How cacti can
survive the hot climate of the desert?
Thick, waxy coat to prevent the loss of water through transpiration
Biomes Unit 5: BiosphereMs. Thind
Biome Planetary ecosystem that has evolved
under certain climatic conditions Varieties of plant and animal species 8 major biomes Each unique due to temperature and
precipitation differences
Ice cap Regions covered in ice: Greenland,
Antarctica
Tundra Polar regions Climate conditions:
long, cold winters, short summers.
Plant species: mosses, lichens, spring flowers
Plants have adapted to cold conditions by growing close to the ground and remaining dormant
Tundra Animal species: snow
owl, polar bear and during migration periods: caribou and deer
Permafrost layer in soil. Due to summer melt lakes and ponds abundance of insects and mosquitos. brings many bird species during summer months
Threats to the Tundra: Oil and gas development in Alaska Melting of permafrost more
lakes/ponds/more insects disrupting the food chain
Air pollution mosses and lichens dying a vital producer
Coniferous Forest Coniferous evergreen
forests of the northern hemisphere
Climate: winter very cold, warm summers, rainfall mostly in summer, conditions due to lack of ocean influence
Plant species: trees: cedar, fir spruce, hemlock (in areas of high precipitation), pine in drier locations.
Coniferous Forest Layer of decaying evergreen needles
makes soil acidic = limited number of species of plants
Conifers can thrive in top layer of acidic soil
Trees are referred to as: microtherms- able to survive in low temperatures
Animal Species: moose, bears, elk, coyotes, beetles, squirrels, and deer
Temperate Rainforest Coast of Pacific NW Climate conditions: westerly winds bring
moisture from Pacific, ocean influence moderates temperature
Plant species: Coniferous trees, cedar trees (in areas of abundant rainfall), ferns and shrubs, mossy forest floor
Threats to Coniferous and Temperate Rainforests: Clear cutting Urban development
Grassland or Savannas Exist from tropical areas to N and S
temperate regions In areas where rainfall is too low for trees Grasses can reach 10m Tropical grasslands - Climate conditions: 6 months of wet weather, 6 months of dry weather (tropical wet/dry)
- large herds of grazing animals: elephants, zebra, lions
Grassland or Savannas Temperate Grassland: developed in
semi-arid regions: The Prairies Steppe Pampas Veld North America Russia to
China Argentina South Africa
- In rainshadow of the Rockies
- Was home to herds of bison, elk, antelope
- Short grasses
- Supports varieties of grasslands
- Supports several grass varieties
- Large number of herbivores
Threats to Grassland Biomes: Tropical savannas: frequent fires in dry
season, grazing animals at risk from hunters
Human activity: mining, national parks, tourism and urban developments.
Human usage of the savanna biome is increasing degradation of vegetation and soil resource
The prairies: grassland gone due to cultivation
Temperate Deciduous Forest Eastern NA, Great
Lakes area, parts of Western Europe
Climate conditions: cold winters, warm springs, hot summers
Plant species: oak, beech, maple, hickory
Temperate Deciduous Forest Trees lose their leaves as winter
approaches Leaf litter adds nutrients to soil
annually When spring reaches soil is exposed to
the sun and variety of wild flowers grow Animal Species: deer, racoons, coyote,
squirrels, insects, birds
Chaparral, Maquis, or Sclerophyll Found in Mediterranean type climate Climate conditions: hot, dry summers,
mild and wet winter temperatures Plant species: manzanita, mountain
mahogany, scrub oak with thick bark and leathery leaves
Schlerophyll: plant type that has adapted to hot, dry conditions of the Mediterranean
Chaparral, Maquis, or Sclerophyll All schlerophylls
have hard leaves and thorns to prevent water loss through transpiration
Scherophyll forests: small trees, olive, tea and acacia trees
Threats Natural and human induced forest fires
in dry shrub land areas Housing development is increasing the
number of landslides b/c of the removal of chaparral vegetation
Desert and Semi-Desert 1. Hot deserts. Climate conditions: 20-30°
N and S of equator, high temperature all year round, little vegetation.
2. Temperate deserts. Farther from equator, hot summers, mild winters, short cold spell.
3. Cold deserts. Hot summers, cold winters eg: Gobi Desert in the heart of Asia
Desert and Semi Desert Desert biomes have
vegetation that has adapted to dry conditions
Plant species: Xerophyte: drought loving plants
eg: cacti
Animal species: snakes, lizards, hawks, vultures, rabbits, mice
How do plants and animals adapt to dry conditions? Plants have deep roots to tap into to get
moisture deep under the sand Waxy coat on plants limits
transpiration Extensive network of roots to collect
water during short rainfall periods Some animals have thick skin to
minimize moisture loss
Tropical Rainforest Tropical low pressure belt Climate conditions: wet and high
temperatures all year round Plant species: megatherms- plants
that need constant heat, most of the vegetation is called tropical deciduous forest
Lianas: hanging vines
Tropical Rainforest Tall trees create a canopy that blocks
sunlight for shade tolerant plant species below
Trees have shallow root systems because of the abundance of rainfall
Tall trees have buttress roots to give them extra support to compete for sunlight
Tropical Rainforest clear cutting Deforestation degradation of soil soil in rainforest is only rich due to leaf
litter on the ground once trees have been cleared the soil will remain nutrient for a few years burning of forests