Warm, wet and humid all year roundNutrient poor soil-high rate of decompositionDifferent layers within the forest create a

variety of nichesEmergent, upper and lower canopies, forest

floorAmount of sunlight determines what lives in

each layer

Tropical Rain Forests

Plants Bengal bamboo, Strangler Figs, jambu, orchids

Shallow roots systems Epiphytes (ex. Orchids) will grow on tree branches and tap into

the tree with their root systems to obtain nutrients Fast growers

Animals New World Monkeys, African Forest Elephants, King

Cobra, Vampire Bat, Jambu Fruit Dove, Toco Toucan, Kinkajo

Arboreal-live up in the trees; long arms, prehensile tails, etc. Camouflage Strong beaks to break open seeds

Tropical Rainforest Organisms

Environmental IssuesDeforestation

Agriculture, cattle, resources, etc.Poachers

Hunt and collect animals for exotic pet trades

Biodiversity: high

Tropical Rainforest Environmental Issues and Biodiversity

Most decidous forests lie between 30 and 60 degrees north and south latitudes

4 seasons: our weather patternsFertile soil

Deciduous Forest

Plants Walnut trees, chestnut trees, maple trees, oak trees

Lose leaves during fallDormant during winter-saves water

AnimalsAmerican Black Bear, Coyote, Duckbill

Platypus, Eastern Chipmunk, White-tailed deerCamouflage, hibernate-fat layer, store food, etc.

Deciduous Organisms

Environmental IssuesDeforestation

FarmlandUrbanizationResources

OverhuntingPollution (air, water, land, etc.)

Biodiversity: medium to high

Deciduous Environmental Issues and Biodiversity

Think Canada4 Seasons

Colder temps than deciduousAbout the same precipitation than deciduous

Acidic soils from the needles from the trees-deter other plants from growing around them

Coniferous Forests

PlantsWhite Spruce, Balsam Fir, Pine, Cedar, Douglas Fir

Triangular shapeBranches are flexibleThick barkNeedle-lie leaves to prevent water loss; needles are

acidicAnimals

Lynx, Wolverines, Bobcats, Minks, Caribou, Elk, Moose, White RabbitsThick fur coat Camouflage Hibernate in the winter-protective layer of fat

Coniferous Organisms

Environmental IssuesDeforestation

For homes, roads, resourcesPollution (air, water, land)

Biodiversity-less then tropical or deciduous, more then everything else (medium to high)

Coniferous Environmental Issues and Biodiversity

4 seasonsLess precip then forests more then

desert/tundraNatural fires are common-rejuvenate landWindy

Chaparral

Plants:Coyote bush, common sage brush, chaparral

sweetpea, purple needle grass: lots of grasses and bushes-very few trees Deep roots, fire retardant leaves, waxy coatings on

leaves

Animals:Coyote, rattlesnake, jackrabbit, puma, golden

jackal, bezoar goatCamouflage, nocturnal, go without water for long

periods of time

Chaparral Organisms

Environmental IssuesFire suppressionUrbanization-causes erosion and destruction of

habitatUsed for agriculture

BiodiversityMedium to low

Chaparral Environmental Issues and Biodiversity

Hint: think The Lion King2 seasons

Wet and dryNatural fires are commonWindyNutrient poor soil

Savanna

PlantsGrasses

Grow in clumps to save water, grow quickly, deep roots

AnimalsElephants, lions, zebras, gazelles, giraffes, etc.

Migrating herbivorescamouflage

Savanna Organisms

Environmental IssuesOverhuntingOvergrazingFire suppressionUrbanization

BiodiversityMedium to low

Savanna Environmental Issues and Biodiversity

Middle of the USFertile soilWindyNatural fires are common to rejuvenate land

Prairie

PlantsGrasses

Deep root systems and able to rejuvenate quickly after fire

AnimalsBadgers, coyotes, prairie dogs, etc.

Burrow-strong front clawsCamouflage

Prairie Organisms

Environmental IssuesLand converted to farmland

Less genetic diversity, more erosion, increased pesticide usage

Fire suppression

Biodiversity: medium to low

Prairie Environmental Issues and Biodiversity

Usually found between 15 and 30 degrees latitude

Usually hot, always dryWinds shape landscapeNutrient poor soil

Deserts

PlantsCacti, brittle bush, joshua tree

Sharp spines, fleshy insides, leathery leaves, shallow root systems

AnimalsLizards, desert tortoise, cactus wren, fennec

fox, jerboaCamouflage, estivate: burrow during the day,

nocturnal at night, large ears to release heat

Desert Organisms

Environmental IssuesOvergrazingExcessive off road vehicles usage, nuclear

testing sites, etc.

Biodiversity: low

Desert Environmental Issues and Biodiversity

Cold and dryPermafrost2 seasons: long cold winter and short warm

summerPolar winds

Tundra

PlantsSedges, arctic willow, arctic moss, lichens,

caribou mossGrow close to the ground, shallow root systems,

short hairsNo trees due to high winds and shallow root

systems

AnimalsArctic fox, musk oxen, snowy owl, polar bear,

caribou, arctic hare, lemmingsCamouflage, thick fur, layers of fat

Tundra Organisms

Environmental IssuesExtraction of nonrenewable resources-oil

drilling, building of roads, etc.Global warming (from the burning of fossil

fuels)-thaws permafrost-leads to a positive feedback loop

Biodiversity: low

Tundra Environmental Issues and Biodiversity