Earth’s BiomesEarth’s Biomes

Content Standard 15: Identify Content Standard 15: Identify biomes based on biomes based on

environmental factors & environmental factors & native organisms.native organisms.

Earth’s BiomesEarth’s Biomes

► All organisms interact with living & nonliving All organisms interact with living & nonliving things in their environment.things in their environment.

► Because the environment is so complex, Because the environment is so complex, scientists divide it into different regions. scientists divide it into different regions. These regions are determined largely by their These regions are determined largely by their abiotic factors.abiotic factors. Soil compositionSoil composition Amount of light, water & inorganic nutrientsAmount of light, water & inorganic nutrients Altitude (height above sea level)Altitude (height above sea level) Latitude (distance from the equator)Latitude (distance from the equator) Climate (long-term weather pattern in an area, Climate (long-term weather pattern in an area,

including average high & low temperatures & including average high & low temperatures & amounts & types of precipitation)amounts & types of precipitation)

BiomesBiomes

►The major ecosystems of Earth are The major ecosystems of Earth are called biomes.called biomes.

►A A biome biome covers a wide area & is covers a wide area & is characterized by specific physical characterized by specific physical conditions & types of organisms.conditions & types of organisms.

►The 6 major biomes on land are The 6 major biomes on land are characterized by their climate, characterized by their climate, latitude, altitude, & proximity to water, latitude, altitude, & proximity to water, including oceans, lakes & rivers.including oceans, lakes & rivers.

Regardless of their actual location, similar Regardless of their actual location, similar biomes around the globe have similar groups biomes around the globe have similar groups of organisms that possess similar adaptations of organisms that possess similar adaptations to the environment.to the environment.

BiomesBiomes

►The major terrestrial biomes are tundra, The major terrestrial biomes are tundra, deserts, tropical rain forests, deserts, tropical rain forests, grasslands, taiga (coniferous forests), & grasslands, taiga (coniferous forests), & temperate deciduous forests.temperate deciduous forests.

►Each of these terrestrial biomes is Each of these terrestrial biomes is characterized by a set of abiotic factors characterized by a set of abiotic factors & a unique community of organisms.& a unique community of organisms.

►2 key abiotic factors that define each 2 key abiotic factors that define each biome are its average annual amount of biome are its average annual amount of precipitation & its temperature range precipitation & its temperature range over the course of the year.over the course of the year.

BiomeBiome Average Yearly Average Yearly Precipitation (in)Precipitation (in)

Yearly Temperature Yearly Temperature Range (Range (°F)°F)

TundraTundra 6 - 106 - 10 -29 – 54-29 – 54

DesertDesert <10<10 28 – 12028 – 120

Tropical Rain Tropical Rain ForestForest

>80>80 68 – 9568 – 95

GrasslandGrassland 20 - 3520 - 35 -40 – 100-40 – 100

Taiga Taiga (Coniferous (Coniferous Forest)Forest)

16 – 4016 – 40 -22 – 86-22 – 86

Temperate Temperate Deciduous Deciduous ForestForest

30 – 6030 – 60 -22 – 86-22 – 86

Terrestrial Biomes: TundraTerrestrial Biomes: Tundra

►The The tundratundra is a cold, dry biome that is a cold, dry biome that receives an average of 15 to 25 cm (6 receives an average of 15 to 25 cm (6 to 10 in) of precipitation (mostly snow to 10 in) of precipitation (mostly snow or ice) each year.or ice) each year.

►The tundra is located in the Arctic & The tundra is located in the Arctic & Antarctic regions & at the tops of high Antarctic regions & at the tops of high mountains in temperate zones.mountains in temperate zones.

►A defining feature of the tundra is A defining feature of the tundra is permafrostpermafrost, a layer of permanently , a layer of permanently frozen subsoil.frozen subsoil.

The Tundra BiomeThe Tundra Biome

TundraTundraVegetationVegetation

Terrestrial Biomes: TundraTerrestrial Biomes: Tundra

►Summers are short & cool; winters are Summers are short & cool; winters are long, cold, & usually dark.long, cold, & usually dark.

►Tundra plants display stunted growth Tundra plants display stunted growth due to the freezing of the topsoil, harsh due to the freezing of the topsoil, harsh winds, cold, & a short growing season.winds, cold, & a short growing season.

►Tundra animals include migratory birds, Tundra animals include migratory birds, musk oxen, Arctic foxes, & caribou.musk oxen, Arctic foxes, & caribou.

►Many of these animals have fur that Many of these animals have fur that changes from brown in summer to changes from brown in summer to white in winter to help them blend with white in winter to help them blend with their surroundings & avoid predators.their surroundings & avoid predators.

Arctic Hare in Summer & Arctic Hare in Summer & WinterWinter

Terrestrial Biome: DesertTerrestrial Biome: Desert

►The The desertdesert is characterized by very is characterized by very dry conditions and less than 25 cm (10 dry conditions and less than 25 cm (10 in) of precipitation each year.in) of precipitation each year.

►Desert soils are mineral rich but Desert soils are mineral rich but contain little organic matter.contain little organic matter.

►Deserts can be hot, cold, or very Deserts can be hot, cold, or very variable in their temperatures.variable in their temperatures.

►Desert organisms are adapted to Desert organisms are adapted to temperature extremes & to temperature extremes & to temperatures that may vary by more temperatures that may vary by more than 19than 19°C (66°F) on a daily basis.°C (66°F) on a daily basis.

Deserts are located in Africa, Asia, Deserts are located in Africa, Asia, the Middle East, North & South the Middle East, North & South America, & Antarctica.America, & Antarctica.

Terrestrial Biome: DesertTerrestrial Biome: Desert

►Most desert plants are adapted for Most desert plants are adapted for storing water.storing water.

►Snakes, lizards, jackrabbits, & rodents Snakes, lizards, jackrabbits, & rodents are common animals in hot deserts.are common animals in hot deserts.

►Many of these are active only at night Many of these are active only at night when temperatures are cooler. Some when temperatures are cooler. Some burrow into the ground during daylight burrow into the ground during daylight hours to escape the hot sun.hours to escape the hot sun.

Terrestrial Biome: Tropical Rain Terrestrial Biome: Tropical Rain ForestForest

►The The tropical rain foresttropical rain forest has greater has greater biodiversity than all other terrestrial biodiversity than all other terrestrial biomes combined.biomes combined.

►A tropical rain forest is characterized A tropical rain forest is characterized by nutrient-poor soils, warm year-by nutrient-poor soils, warm year-round temperatures, & average yearly round temperatures, & average yearly precipitation of 200 to 400 cm (80 to precipitation of 200 to 400 cm (80 to 160 inches) in the form of rain or mist.160 inches) in the form of rain or mist.

Terrestrial Biome: Tropical Rain Terrestrial Biome: Tropical Rain ForestForest

► Trees in the tropical Trees in the tropical rain forest are very rain forest are very tall & form a dense tall & form a dense covering called the covering called the canopy that shades canopy that shades the lower layers.the lower layers.

Tropical rain forests are located near the Tropical rain forests are located near the equator in South & Central America, equator in South & Central America, southeastern Asia, Africa, southern India, & southeastern Asia, Africa, southern India, & northern Australia.northern Australia.

Terrestrial Biomes: Terrestrial Biomes: GrasslandsGrasslands

►Grasslands have warm to hot summers Grasslands have warm to hot summers & cool to cold winters & receive 50 to & cool to cold winters & receive 50 to 90 cm (20 to 35 in) of precipitation 90 cm (20 to 35 in) of precipitation each year.each year.

►Precipitation in this biome is seasonal, Precipitation in this biome is seasonal, occurring mostly in the spring & fall.occurring mostly in the spring & fall.

►Soils are rich in nutrients & organic Soils are rich in nutrients & organic matter. Much of this organic matter is matter. Much of this organic matter is found in a thick layer of topsoil located found in a thick layer of topsoil located at the soil surface.at the soil surface.

Grasslands are located in central Grasslands are located in central Asia, N. America, Australia, central Asia, N. America, Australia, central Europe, Africa, & S. America.Europe, Africa, & S. America.

Terrestrial Biomes: Terrestrial Biomes: GrasslandsGrasslands

►Plants include numerous grasses & Plants include numerous grasses & herbs.herbs.

►Animals include coyotes, badgers, Animals include coyotes, badgers, mule deer, rabbits, prairie dogs, bison, mule deer, rabbits, prairie dogs, bison, & many birds & insects.& many birds & insects.

Terrestrial Biomes: Temperate Terrestrial Biomes: Temperate Deciduous ForestsDeciduous Forests

►Temperate deciduous forestsTemperate deciduous forests are are characterized by broad-leafed trees characterized by broad-leafed trees that shed their leaves in the fall & that shed their leaves in the fall & sprout them in the spring.sprout them in the spring.

►Rainfall & temperatures are moderate. Rainfall & temperatures are moderate. This causes rapid decomposition of This causes rapid decomposition of organic matter.organic matter.

►This results in soil that is rich in both This results in soil that is rich in both nutrients & organic matter.nutrients & organic matter.

Deciduous forests are located in Deciduous forests are located in N. America, Europe & Asia.N. America, Europe & Asia.

Typical animals of these regions include foxes, Typical animals of these regions include foxes, squirrels, raccoons, deer, turtles, a wide squirrels, raccoons, deer, turtles, a wide variety of birds, and insects. Fungi are also variety of birds, and insects. Fungi are also common in this biome.common in this biome.

Terrestrial Biomes: TaigaTerrestrial Biomes: Taiga

►The The taigataiga is a cold to cool, moderately is a cold to cool, moderately wet biome that is located in the wet biome that is located in the northern parts of N. America, Europe, northern parts of N. America, Europe, & Asia.& Asia.

Terrestrial Biomes: TaigaTerrestrial Biomes: Taiga

►The taiga is sometimes called the The taiga is sometimes called the coniferous forest biome because of the coniferous forest biome because of the cone-bearing (coniferous) trees that cone-bearing (coniferous) trees that cover its landscape.cover its landscape.

►Soils in the taiga tend to be acidic.Soils in the taiga tend to be acidic.► In addition to coniferous trees, mosses In addition to coniferous trees, mosses

thrive in the acidic soil of this biome.thrive in the acidic soil of this biome.

Typical animals of this biome include Typical animals of this biome include black bears, moose, elk, deer, wolves, black bears, moose, elk, deer, wolves, squirrels, and a variety of insects.squirrels, and a variety of insects.

Terrestrial Biomes: WetlandsTerrestrial Biomes: Wetlands

►A A wetlandwetland is a land ecosystem in which is a land ecosystem in which water covers the soil or is present near water covers the soil or is present near the soil surface for at least part of the the soil surface for at least part of the year.year.

►Wetlands are a cross between a Wetlands are a cross between a terrestrial ecosystem & an aquatic terrestrial ecosystem & an aquatic ecosystem & can have either moving or ecosystem & can have either moving or standing water.standing water.

►Wetlands serve as breeding grounds for Wetlands serve as breeding grounds for many species of birds, fish, amphibians, many species of birds, fish, amphibians, insects, & other animals.insects, & other animals.

Terrestrial Biomes: WetlandsTerrestrial Biomes: Wetlands

►Freshwater wetlands include bogs, Freshwater wetlands include bogs, swamps, & marshes.swamps, & marshes.

► In addition to providing habitat for In addition to providing habitat for many species, wetlands serve an many species, wetlands serve an important role in helping to cleanse & important role in helping to cleanse & purify water that moves through the purify water that moves through the environment.environment.

Aquatic BiomesAquatic Biomes

►Aquatic ecosystems are defined by Aquatic ecosystems are defined by their salinity, chemistry, depth, flow, & their salinity, chemistry, depth, flow, & water temperature.water temperature.

►Salinity is used to divide aquatic Salinity is used to divide aquatic biomes into 2 large groups: freshwater biomes into 2 large groups: freshwater biomes & marine biomes.biomes & marine biomes.

►As its name implies, a freshwater As its name implies, a freshwater biome is an aquatic ecosystem whose biome is an aquatic ecosystem whose primary feature is freshwater. The primary feature is freshwater. The marine biome is an aquatic biome marine biome is an aquatic biome whose main feature is salt water.whose main feature is salt water.

Aquatic Biomes: FreshwaterAquatic Biomes: Freshwater

► Two main types of freshwater biomes are flowing-Two main types of freshwater biomes are flowing-water ecosystems & standing-water ecosystems. water ecosystems & standing-water ecosystems.

► Flowing-water ecosystems include rivers, streams, Flowing-water ecosystems include rivers, streams, creeks, & brooks.creeks, & brooks.

► Organisms that live in these ecosystems are adapted Organisms that live in these ecosystems are adapted to seasonal changes in water level & rate of flow.to seasonal changes in water level & rate of flow.

► Standing-water ecosystems include lakes & ponds.Standing-water ecosystems include lakes & ponds.► Water generally flows into & out of these ecosystems Water generally flows into & out of these ecosystems

& circulates within them.& circulates within them.► The standing water of these ecosystem provides The standing water of these ecosystem provides

habitat for many different organisms.habitat for many different organisms.

Aquatic Biomes: MarineAquatic Biomes: Marine

►Marine biomes are defined by water that Marine biomes are defined by water that is high in salt content. They vary in is high in salt content. They vary in their distance from the shore & in the their distance from the shore & in the depth of the water.depth of the water.

►Unique communities of organisms, such Unique communities of organisms, such as the intertidal organisms found on as the intertidal organisms found on beaches, live at the edges of marine beaches, live at the edges of marine ecosystems.ecosystems.

►Water depth affects pressure & the Water depth affects pressure & the amount of light that penetrates the amount of light that penetrates the water.water.

Moving from the shore toward the open Moving from the shore toward the open ocean, marine ecosystems include the ocean, marine ecosystems include the intertidal zone, the coastal (neritic ocean), and intertidal zone, the coastal (neritic ocean), and the open ocean.the open ocean.

Aquatic Biomes: MarineAquatic Biomes: Marine

►Organisms that live in the intertidal Organisms that live in the intertidal zone are directly affected by the twice-zone are directly affected by the twice-daily rise & fall of the tide.daily rise & fall of the tide.

►Sometimes they are completely Sometimes they are completely submerged in water; at other times submerged in water; at other times they are exposed to the air & sunlight.they are exposed to the air & sunlight.

Aquatic Biomes: MarineAquatic Biomes: Marine

►Organisms in the coastal ocean live on Organisms in the coastal ocean live on the shallow shelf that extends from the shallow shelf that extends from the low-tide line to the deep ocean.the low-tide line to the deep ocean.

►This region is known as the This region is known as the neritic neritic zonezone..

►The neritic zone is shallow enough to The neritic zone is shallow enough to allow sunlight to penetrate its water & allow sunlight to penetrate its water & reach the ocean bottom.reach the ocean bottom.

►The region is also shallow enough to The region is also shallow enough to keep the water pressure moderate.keep the water pressure moderate.

Aquatic Biomes: MarineAquatic Biomes: Marine

►Coral reefs & kelp forests thrive in the Coral reefs & kelp forests thrive in the neritic zone. These areas provide neritic zone. These areas provide abundant resources such as food & abundant resources such as food & shelter for other ocean-dwelling shelter for other ocean-dwelling organisms. Most aquatic life lives in organisms. Most aquatic life lives in this ocean region.this ocean region.

Aquatic Biomes: MarineAquatic Biomes: Marine

►The deep ocean lies beyond the The deep ocean lies beyond the coastal shelves of the continents.coastal shelves of the continents.

►The deep ocean covers about 60% of The deep ocean covers about 60% of Earth’s surface.Earth’s surface.

►Although it covers the largest area, the Although it covers the largest area, the deep ocean actually serves as home to deep ocean actually serves as home to the fewest ocean species.the fewest ocean species.

►Organisms that live in the deepest Organisms that live in the deepest parts of this region need to be adapted parts of this region need to be adapted to a cold, dark, & extremely high-to a cold, dark, & extremely high-pressure environment.pressure environment.

EstuariesEstuaries

► EstuariesEstuaries are areas where freshwater are areas where freshwater meets the salty water of the sea.meets the salty water of the sea.

► Estuaries contain brackish water—a mixture Estuaries contain brackish water—a mixture of freshwater & salt water.of freshwater & salt water.

► The concentration of salt in water can The concentration of salt in water can change frequently because of variations in change frequently because of variations in rainfall, changes in ocean conditions such as rainfall, changes in ocean conditions such as waves, tides, & currents, & wind.waves, tides, & currents, & wind.

► Estuaries also have constantly changing Estuaries also have constantly changing water levels that are affected by the rise & water levels that are affected by the rise & fall of the ocean tides.fall of the ocean tides.

► 2 ecosystems that form in estuaries are salt 2 ecosystems that form in estuaries are salt marshes & mangrove swamps.marshes & mangrove swamps.

Salt MarshSalt Marsh

Mangrove SwampMangrove Swamp

Which terrestrial biome is Which terrestrial biome is characterized by permafrost?characterized by permafrost?

A.A. RiverRiver

B.B. DesertDesert

C.C. TundraTundra

D.D. Tropical Rain ForestTropical Rain Forest

Which biome receives very little rainfall Which biome receives very little rainfall throughout the year & includes snakes, throughout the year & includes snakes, lizards, & jackrabbits as its lizards, & jackrabbits as its characteristic animal species?characteristic animal species?

A.A. DesertDesert

B.B. Temperate Deciduous ForestTemperate Deciduous Forest

C.C. TaigaTaiga

D.D. TundraTundra

What is the correct arrangement What is the correct arrangement of ocean zones moving away of ocean zones moving away from the shoreline?from the shoreline?

A.A. Benthic Zone Benthic Zone → Neritic Zone → Intertidal Zone → Open → Neritic Zone → Intertidal Zone → Open OceanOcean

B.B. Intertidal Zone → Open Ocean → Coastal ZoneIntertidal Zone → Open Ocean → Coastal Zone

C.C. Intertidal Zone → Neritic Zone → Open OceanIntertidal Zone → Neritic Zone → Open Ocean

D.D. Neritic Zone → Open Ocean → Intertidal ZoneNeritic Zone → Open Ocean → Intertidal Zone

Which of these is a freshwater Which of these is a freshwater biome?biome?

A.A. TundraTundra

B.B. EstuaryEstuary

C.C. OceanOcean

D.D. River River

What land biome has the What land biome has the greatest variety of life?greatest variety of life?

A.A. Tropical Rain ForestTropical Rain Forest

B.B. DesertDesert

C.C. TundraTundra

D.D. GrasslandGrassland

PowerPoint adapted PowerPoint adapted from the Standard 15 from the Standard 15 (Lesson 20) lesson in (Lesson 20) lesson in

the Coach book.the Coach book.

Alabama AHSGE Coach, Alabama AHSGE Coach, BiologyBiology

Triumph Learning, 2009Triumph Learning, 2009