Tundra,
Temperate Grassland,
Coniferous Forest,
& Temperate Broadleaf
By Ross, Ryan, Gwen, & Jamie
E-Block
Tundra
Ross Stanley
Basic Facts
• Temperature range:
-Extremely cold in winter, average
temperatures range between -90 to -30 degrees
Fahrenheit.
• Summers are far more temperate, with an average
temperature of 45-60 degrees Fahrenheit.
More basic facts
• Tundra is located at the latitude of 75-60 degrees
N.
• Annual precipitation is extremely low, only
around 6-10 inches/year.
Impression
• Barren, to say the least. Not very favorable for tall
plants. While summer images show a relatively
green area, all the plants appear to be small,
scrubby bushes, and not large trees. I'd assume this
is due to wind. In most cases, animals appear to be
rather small and scrubby as well. This makes sense
because there are is a relatively low amount of
nutrients available. Carnivorous predators do
appear quite large, however.
Bearberries
• The bearberry has undergone a series of
adaptations to permit it to survive the harsh
weather of the tundra, explaining why it
cannot be found in other biomes. These
adaptations have made it inappropriate for it
to grow elsewhere.
Bearberries
• They grow extremely short in order to avoid high
winds
• It has hairy leaves, in order to trap the little heat
that is available.
• A high photosynthetic capability, to capture the
abundant sunlight the tundra can offer.
• It can also grow extremely well in poor soil, which
is an advantage on the tundra.
Arctic Moss
• Arctic Moss is another example of a plant that
lives only in the tundra. It, too, has adaptations
that make it suitable for tundra life, and nowhere
else.
• They require a much lower nitrogen level than
other plants, which permit them to grow in Arctic
lakes.
• As a result of nutrient starvation, the growth time
of these plants are extremely slow, growing at a
rate of about 5 cm/yr.
Polar Bear
• The polar bear is built for the tundra, and would be quite
uncomfortable anywhere else.
• Obviously, they are the top-level predator in a tundra
ecosystem.
• Due to their thick fur, a polar bear would not be very
happy in warmer climates.
• Their primary sources of food are also tundra-based
animals.
• Due to ecological competition, in other biomes, a polar
bear would likely have to compete with other top-level
predators, a position which they are not accustomed to on
the tundra.
Musk Ox
• Herbivore, suited well to the tundra because of its long
coat. It can subsist on the scrubby grasses and lichens
common to the tundra.
• It also does not have very many predators, only the Arctic
Wolf, and in some cases polar bears (however polar bears
only tend to hunt the sick and elderly)
• In other biomes, its niche is well-filled, as there are plenty
of other large herbivores. The musk-ox enjoys a safe niche
on the tundra.
Abiotic Factors: Wind
• The reason that the tundra has such short, stubbly plants is
due to wind. Wind is so intense in the tundra that it would
blow most tall trees over. As a result, plants have to adapt
to the intense winds by being short, as well as by clumping
together, to avoid being blown away.
Abiotic Factors: Permafrost
• Permafrost is a condition in which there is a permanent layer of frozen
soil below the earth.
• This adds an added layer of difficulty to survival.
• Obviously, this makes it so reptiles and other heat-dependant species
cannot live on the tundra.
• Many small mammals will have to deal with this and adapt, as they
cannot burrow to escape winter.
• This is evident by their fur, as well as fat storage, which can be used in
hibernation.
Disturbances
• The tundra is a relatively calm area. Perhaps the greatest disturbance
that could occur would be human change.
• Assuming a disturbance would occur, secondary succession is the most
likely process the tundra will undergo.
• Campbell states that in many cases, some of the first species to arrive
after the lichens would be small, shrub-like plants. This actually does
make up the majority of tundra grassland, so it would be safe to say
that the tundra would restore to normal, even though it may take some
time.
Endnote: Information Citations
•
http://ths.sps.lane.edu/biomes/tundra4/tundra4c.html
•
http://www.blueplanetbiomes.org/tundra_climate.htmhttp://www.ri.net/schools
/West_Warwick/manateeproject/Tundra/plant.htm
http://www.blueplanetbiomes.org/tundra_plant_page.htm
http://www.gardensablaze.com/HerbUvaUrsi.htm
http://www.arctic.uoguelph.ca/cpl/arcticnews/updates/slowmoss.htm
http://www.polarbearsinternational.org/polar-bears/faq
http://www.blueplanetbiomes.org/musk_ox.htm
http://www.marietta.edu/~biol/biomes/tundra.htm
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Endnote: Image Citations
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http://www.cas.vanderbilt.edu/bioimages/biohires/ecoregions/h51117tundra33
02.jpg
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/6/67/Tundra_looking_south_
toward_Brooks_Range,_Alaska.jpg
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/9/95/Arctostaphylos-uvaursi.JPG
http://i.pbase.com/o6/30/33230/1/83009540.XLMTbM6S._MG_0484.jpg
http://news.bbc.co.uk/media/images/41906000/jpg/_41906050_polarbear_416
_ap.jpg
http://www.alaska.net/~moxfarm/muskox1.jpg
Coniferous Forest
Biome
Gwendolyn Stoll, Jamie Chan, Ryan Chan, Ross Stanley
Temperature
• Seasonal: cold, dry, winters and
warm, mild summers.
• ranges from 140 C to 20 C
• average summer temperature is 10
C
Annual
Percipitation
• average of 300 - 900 milliliters of rain
per year
• low evapotranspiration rate = mild
• Moisture rich soil = fertile
Latitude
• Coniferous forests typically found in
“Taiga” -- biome under the tundra
extending from Canada to the interior
to Alaska, some of north United
States, and areas in Southeast Asia
• Ranges between 86 and 98 North
General
Description
•
The coniferous tree biome is the largest terrestrial biome in the world. With
seasonal temperatures and moisture rich soil, this biome is perfect for tall,
sturdy, trees to grow. Pine and spruce trees are the most prevalent in these
areas, and common species for coniferous tree biomes are the brown bear
and the gray wolf. This biome includes lakes, many places for small animals
to borrow, and berries, making it a perfect place for omnivores of all kinds.
Since the winters are very cold, trees grow in a cone shape to help snow
slide off, and have waxy thin needles that wicks away moisture and protects
them from other harsh weather conditions. The animals in this biome have
Brown Bear
• thick fur coat for cold winters
• omnivore (coniferous biome provides
lakes (fish), plants, and smaller
animals)
Is able to hibernate during the winter
months to protect itself from the cold
eats the species of trees most common
in the coniferous tree area
Gray Wolf
• predators to large animal which are
common in the coniferous forest
biome (elk, moose, deer, bears)
• omnivores
• thick coat for cold winters
• stay in packs to stay fed and keep
warm during the cold months
Pine Trees
• Extremely common in Coniferous
forests
• Coniferous = Bearing Cones
• Pinecones fall close by and seeds
grow in rows --> avoids competition
for sunlight
• Triangular tree shape to avoid being
weighted down by snow in the winter
• grows in moist soil
Spruce Tree
• waxy needle-leaves to protect
themselves in the winter
• grow in a triangle shape so that snow
slides off
• grows well in mild climate and fertile
soil
• produces cones which spread in
rows so that there is no competition
for sunlight
Temperature
-- the warm summer months are perfect for the
species of trees that dominate the coniferous tree
biome
- mild temperature creates a moist soil which also
helps tall, study, trees flourish
- The cool months are suitable for pack species that
work together to stay warm and fed in the wintertime
Sunlight
- Enables plants to grow, so trees in this area form in
rows to avoid competition for sunlight.
- provides shade for animals such as bears and
wolves with a thick coat of fur
- creates partially sunny and partially shady areas
for different species to grow
- bushes and trees provide optimal hiding spots for
smaller animals of prey
Fire
If there was a forest fire in the coniferous tree
biome, it would be mainly advantageous to the
trees. The fire would release the seeds from the
pine cones and therefore induce reproduction
among tree species such as spruce or pine. The
animals would not benefit from this natural disaster
aside from afterwards having more plants to eat.
These forest fires and relatively common in the
coniferous forest biome and would not be a great
devastation to the area. The succession after this
disturbance would include new plants emerging
and more animals inhabiting the area as a result.
Works Cited
• http://www.enchantedlearning.com/bi
omes/taiga/taiga.shtml
• http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/Exp
eriments/Biome/bioconiferous.php
• http://www.idiotica.com/cranium/ency
clopedia/content/coniferous.htm
• http://rrmsbiomes.tripod.com/id3.html
• http://dendro.cnre.vt.edu/Forsite/ncfb
iome.htm
Pictures Cited
http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/Experiments/Biome/bioconiferous.php&docid=V
fJVXRJ7Kko5nM&w=350&h=263&ei=iL6ATo2QCfr0gGysNgW&zoom=1&iact=hc&vpx=113&vpy=157&dur=18&hovh=195&hovw=2
59&tx=186&ty=97&page=1&tbnh=151&tbnw=204&start=0&ndsp=10&ved=1t:429
,r:0,s:0&biw=1207&bih=510
- http://rrmsbiomes.tripod.com/sitebuildercontent/sitebuilderpictures/biometaigamap.gif
Temperate Grasslands
By Ryan Chan
Temperate Grasslands
• temperature range: -40ｰ to 70
ｰannual precipitation: 10 to
30 inchesarea: Canada,
United States, Russia, China,
Mongolia, Kazakhstan,
Argentina, Australia and
South Africa
Impression
• impression of biome: This biome is home to
vast amounts of open land. There are a lot
of different species of animals and
plants. The climate changes with the
seasons, and most rain occurs during two
wet seasons.
Plants
• 2 plant species: buffalo grass and crazy weed- These two plants thrive
in temperate grasslands because large grazing animals eat trees and
shrubs when they are small and young. Occasional fires and seasonal
droughts also prevent larger plants from growing, making it easier for
grasses to grow. Grasses can absorb a lot of sunlight here and can
survive fairly harsh winters.
Animals
• 2 animal species: bison and bobcats- The bison graze on
the abundant grass and other small shrubs and trees. The
plants and grass remain annually and the large grazing
animal can migrate around the area, always finding
food. The bobcats prey on large grazing animals, which
occur in large herds. The bobcat can prey on weaker and
smaller members of the herd.
Abiotic Factors
• 2 abiotic factors: seasonal drought and occasional
fires-They both prevent shrubs and trees from
growing, keeping the area grassy. Occasional fires
clear areas of detritus, allowing new plants to
grow. Seasonal drought helps determine what
kind of plants find temperate grasslands hospitable
as an environment.
Disturbance
• Imagine a fire sweeps across the
grassland. The detritus serves as fuel for
the fire. Within a month after the fire, small
vegetation grows back. Grasses emerge
from the land. Grazing animals can return
and eat the grass
Bibliography
• "BC Grasslands"
http://www.bcgrasslands.org/docs/BCBF29F932C
96255.pdf"Blue Planet Biomes"
http://www.blueplanetbiomes.org/grasslands.htm"
National Geographic"
http://environment.nationalgeographic.com/enviro
nment/habitats/grassland-profile/
Temperate Broadleaf
Deciduous Forest
By Jamie Chan
Temperature
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Temperate broadleaf forests occur in
areas where there are warm summers
and cold winters.
These forests experience a wide range
of temperatures, but annual average
temperatures range from 3˚C to 15.6
˚C.
There is a 6 -month growing season
during the spring and summer of
warmer temperatures, and a 6-month
non-growing season during the fall and
winter, due to temperature-induced
drought.
In temperate broadleaf forests,
snowfall is more common in the
northern regions, but decreases greatly
toward the south.
Annual Precipitation
• Temperate broadleaf forests
occur in relatively warm and
rainy climates.
• The precipitation here is often
spread throughout the year.
• Temperate broadleaf forests
generally experience 20-60
inches of precipitation annually.
• The dry season in East Asia
occurs in the winter, but in the
Mediterranean climate zones
they occur during the summer.
Latitude
• Temperate broadleaf
forests are located in 3
major regions: eastern and
central Europe, eastern
Asia (including Korea and
Japan), as well as eastern
North America.
• In this forest zone, a
decrease in latitude results
in the appearance of more
broadleaf tree species.
Description
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Temperate broadleaf forests are known for their colorchanging leaves; in the autumn their leaves change from
green to a variety of reds, oranges, and golds.
This color change occurs during the short days of fall,
when plants withdraw chlorophyll from their leaves.
They briefly display other pigments before their leaves
fall, and then enter an extended period of dormancy.
The typical structure of these forests is made up of 4
layers. There are generally 1-2 tree layers, in addition to
a shrub layer, and an herb layer.
The uppermost canopy, composed of tall, full-sized trees
ranges from 100 to 200 feet, and below that a shadetolerant understory of 3 layers, ranges from 30 to 50
feet.
The top of the understory includes a sub-canopy of
smaller sapling trees, below that a shrub layer of low
growing woody plants, and at the bottom a ground cover
where there is a herbaceous layer.
The majority of the biodiversity here is concentrated
closer to the forest ground, with the highest diversity
being outside the tropics.
Plant Species
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Temperate deciduous trees shed their leaves each
fall, and grow a new assemblage each spring.
On each continent, a different variety of trees
occur.
The height of a tree stratum (layer) can range from
60 -100 feet.
The Quercus (oak), and Acer (maple) are both
dominant broadleaf trees.
Oak trees reside in the temperate broadleaf forest,
because they thrive on moist, well-drained soil,
and require locations where water does not collect
after precipitation.
Maple trees reside here due to the rich, fertile soil
present, and the constant supply of water through
precipitation.
Both of these trees possess broad, thin leaves that
grow rapidly.
Oak
Maple
Animal Species
• Each major forest supports its own
assemblage of plants as well as animals.
• In temperate broadleaf forests located in
North America, herbivorous chipmunks as
well as omnivorous raccoons can be found.
• These animals exist in temperate broadleaf
forests, because they possess a routine of
storing food at low temperatures into trees
such as oaks or beeches.
• Manny mammals in this region hibernate
during the winter period, when food supply
is greatly reduced due to unfavorable
climatic conditions.
Abiotic Factors
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Sunlight avalibility is one abiotic factor that
affects temperate broadleaf forests, by
influencing how long the days last. This
triggers the chlorophyll in leaves to disappear,
and results in a change of color in the leaves.
Another abiotic factor that characterizes this
biome is the rich, fertile soil that develops at the
forest floor.
Broadleaf trees tend to be nutrient-demanding,
so their big leaves secure major nutrient bases.
When the autumn leaves fall, the leaves
contribute to the abundance of rich soil, which
decays rapidly in the spring, just before the
growing season begins.
The heavy tree cover during the warm, wet
summers allows a maximal buildup of organic
materials to form a well-developed layer of soil.
Ecological Disturbances
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Disturbances allow new dominant tree groups to grow from previous tree remains.
A new generation of trees, shrubs, and herbaceous plants will grow after a disturbance,
based on the seed dispersal ability and the environmental conditions (i.e. A drought will
cause a slower development rate).
After a disaster such as a fire occurs, the dominant “pioneer” trees grow, and enclose the
canopy. This reduces light levels, moderates the climate, and increases humidity, which
eliminates some shrubs and herbaceous plants.
Rapid growth of the pioneer trees leads to intense competition among nearby close-knit
trees.
Species diversity may decline due to the shade and absence of sun, reducing the amount
of available plant food for herbivores.
Pioneer trees reach maxiumum height, and the leave the understory to redevelop.
Gaps develop in the canopy, which creates windows of shade and light areas.
Bibliography-Text
"WWF - Temperate Broadleaf and Mixed Forest
Ecoregions." WWF - WWF. N.p., n.d. Web. 25
Sept. 2011. <http://wwf.panda.org/about_o
"Temperate Broadleaf Deciduous Forest."
radford.edu. N.p., n.d. Web. 11 Sept. 1923.
<www.radford.edu/~swoodwar/
"Temperate Broadleaf Forest - University of Puget
Sound." University of Puget Sound. N.p., n.d. Web.
25 Sept. 2011.
<http://www.pugetsound.edu/academics/academicresources/slater-museum/biodiversityresources/world-biomes/characteristics-ofbioclimatic/temperate-broadleaf-forest/>.
Bibliography-Photos
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Photograph. Web. <http://landscapeswallpaper.com/wp-content/uploads/Landscapeswallpaper/forestautumn-colors-1280.jpg>. (forest)
Photograph. Web. 26 Sept. 2011. <http://1.bp.blogspot.com/Z4N6Aj13PFo/TZjtFC9E3eI/AAAAAAAABz8/j767DN0gqsg/s1600/1220409177nax3FQw%255Bpixdaus.com
%255D.jpg>. (trees)
Photograph. Web. 26 Sept. 2011. <http://1.bp.blogspot.com/Z4N6Aj13PFo/TZjtFC9E3eI/AAAAAAAABz8/j767DN0gqsg/s1600/1220409177nax3FQw%255Bpixdaus.com
%255D.jpg>. (rain)
Photograph. Web. 26 Sept. 2011. <http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-269nA6a4a8/TeAeOsEh8iI/AAAAAAAAAEg/_uNz0ed9wIc/s1600/red-maple-tree1.jpg>. (maple)
Photograph. Web. 26 Sept. 2011. <http://farm1.static.flickr.com/169/374724267_7712e792de.jpg>. (maple)
Photograph. Web. 26 Sept. 2011.
<http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_DEVDzUuFZ2E/TQLSGPJcrxI/AAAAAAAAADE/3GF_MdeGbBg/s1600/bacchant
es.jpg>. (oak)
Photograph. Web. 26 Sept. 2011.
<https://bcsengage.wikispaces.com/file/view/chipmunk.jpg/53468956/chipmunk.jpg>. (chipmunk)
Photograph. Web. 26 Sept. 2011. <http://www.nativeanimalrescue.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/animalpicture-raccoon-wen-flickr-animalpicture.jpg>. (raccoon)
Photograph. Web. 26 Sept. 2011. <http://www.itsnature.org/Plant_Life/images/article-pics/maple-leaves.jpg>.
(maple leaf)