BIOMES CHAPTER 2 PowerPoint
NAME _______________________________________________ DATE ____________ PERIOD ______
 Biomes are large terrestrial regions characterized by similar ____________________________
________________________________________________ regardless of their global locations.
 Differences in average annual ___________________and ____________________________ help us
predict what type of desert, grassland or forest biome we would see in a given region- climate
TUNDRA
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The region north of the tree line and near the ________________________________.
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Unique area due to sun’s low angle for much of the year. Has a ____________, severe climate.
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____________ plants with a growing season of less than 60 days. Most are ______________ and
grow in marshy plains. ______________ and willows are common.
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Little precipitation and low temperature.
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___________________________ (frozen soil)
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Animals such as caribou, arctic fox, reindeer and snowy owl.
NORTHERN CONIFEROUS FOREST (TAIGA, ________________________)
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forest in Canada, northern US, parts of Europe and Asia)
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Cool-cold with more precipitation and a longer growing season than the tundra.
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Lots of _______________________________ trees such as pine, spruce and fir.
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Dense forests allow little ________________________to reach the ground. Little
_________________________ on the shady forest floor.
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Big mammals such as elk, deer, moose, bear, and smaller animals such as weasels, snowshoe hares
and lots of birds.
DECIDUOUS FOREST This is the biome we live in!
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Temperature is moderate, climate has warm, humid summers and cold winters. Rainfall is from 3060 inches/year.
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Dominated by broadleaf, ________________________ trees and soil is rich with ___________.
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High productivity and diversity of organisms
GRASSLANDS
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Also called _____________, ___________________ (S. America), steppes (Russia, Asia, and Europe).
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Are usually located in the ________________________ of continents.
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Not enough precipitation to support tree growth, but enough for lots of grasses. Often used as
farmlands.
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Animals found are bison, antelope, coyote, badgers, prairie dogs, rattlesnakes. Have lots of insects.
DESERTS
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Receive less than 10 inches of rainfall/year.
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Plants and animals are adapted to __________________ water.
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Largest are the Sahara and ________________. Sahara is getting larger due to drought, __________
_________________ and _______________________________ for fuel.
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Occur in the _____________________ of continents and on the leeward side of mountains.
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Ecosystems are easily damaged and are severely affected by human activities such as
_________________, city growth, _________________________________, and
______________________.
TROPICAL FORESTS
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Located near the _________________________.
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Contain the greatest plant and animal ___________________________ of all ecosystems.
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Soils are thin and ________________________.
No freezing and lots of moisture.
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Largest rain forests occur in the _______________________________ of South America.
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Major reservoirs for the production of atmospheric _______ and the consumption of CO2.
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Many forests are being cleared for ________________________, ____________________ and
lumber.
SHRUBLANDS
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Covered by shrubby vegetation with hard, thick, waxy leaves that are _______________________
resistant.
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Climate is hot and dry in the summer and cool/cold, and wet in the winter.
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Coast of California-______________________
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Subject to fire.
AQUATIC ECOSYSTEMS
FRESHWATER – inland waters with few salts. Can be flowing (river) or standing (lake)
FLOWING WATERS
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Springs → Brooks → Streams → Creeks → Rivers
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Rivers
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Erode banks
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Carry sediment which get deposited and forms fertile soils.
STANDING WATERS
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The water is _________________________________.
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Puddles, ponds, bogs and ______________________.
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Salt concentrations may vary.
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All are temporary because they will eventually fill with sediment (____________________________).
WETLAND AREAS
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Swamps- shallow with trees and shrubs (Okefenokee Swamp)
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Bogs- shallow with trees and shrubs. Accumulates a deposit of peat (dead plants) such as Sphagnum
moss. Water is acidic and low in _________________________.
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Marshes – ____________________________________ (Florida Everglades)
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Swamps and Marshes are areas of breeding and rearing habitats for insects, birds, amphibians,
reptiles, shrimp
MARINE WATERS
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All the oceans are connected and form one large ecosystem.
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Moderates earth’s _____________________ by absorbing the sun’s energy in the summer and
releasing it in the winters.
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Dissolved salts/minerals increase with ___________ and nearness to the equator. Salinity is less near
the shoreline.
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Most productivity is along the continental shelf, shorelines and in the
___________________________.
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Small phytoplankton called ______________________produce a large part of earth’s oxygen.
ESTUARIES
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Transitional zones between freshwater and open ocean.
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Also called bays, coves, sounds, and are sheltered from direct wind and ocean waves.
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Are very productive regions and are considered a _________________________for many sea
animals.
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Chesapeake Bay in Virginia is the largest in the world.
MANGROVES
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Trees and shrubs that grow in___________________ coastal sediment habitats in the tropics and
subtropics
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Plants have physiological adaptations to overcome the problems of anoxia (low oxygen), high salinity
and frequent _____________________________________________.
CORAL REEFS - the marine equivalent of _______________________________________ forests.
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habitat for _______ of all marine species.
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are underwater structures made from ____________________________________ secreted by
_________________ which are tiny, living animals.
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grow best in _____________, ___________________, clear, sunny and agitated waters.