What is Weather? What is Climate?
Biomes Notes
October 2012
Day-to Day conditions
Example: The weather in Beavercreek was
75 degrees yesterday
Oct 4­9:04 PM
What Abiotic and Biotic Factors
Characterize Biomes?
Abiotic Factors
-Proximity to mountain ranges
-Proximity to oceans
-Soil type
-Climate
Biotic Factors
- Animal Life
- Plant Life
Average conditions over
of Earth's atmosphere
over long periods
Example:Regions climate is defined by average
precipitation and temperature
Oct 4­9:07 PM
What is a Biome?
A biome is a regional climate community
Biomes are classified by average temperature
and precipitation
Terrestrial biomes=land biomes
Oct 4­9:23 PM
Tundra
Average precipitation: 15-25 cm per year (low)
Temperature range: -34-12 degrees Celsius (very cold)
Plant species: Adapted due to nutrient poor soil.
Seed dispersal by wind, avoid damage by laying low
to the ground
Some species have nitrogen fixing bacteria in the
roots
Contains short shrubs and grasses
Animal species: Many animal species migrate due to long
harsh winters
Examples: Polar bears, caribou, birds
Soil: Nutrient poor, permafrost-permanently frozen
subsoil
Characteristics: Cold temperatures, harsh winters,
short growing season
Oct 4­9:53 M
Oct 4­9:34 PM
Boreal Forest
Average Precipitation: 30-84 cm per year
Average Temperature: -54-21 Degrees Celsius
Plant Species:Broad band of dense conical shaped trees
Have wax-covered needle-like leaves that
prevent
excessive loss of water
Example: Evergreens
Animal Species: Staying warm is major challenge
Many species have feathers or fur
Small extremities
Examples: birds, beavers, deer,
mountain lions
Characteristics: Long, cold winters and summers are
mild
Sometimes referred to as the Taiga
Oct 4­10:05 PM
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Temperate Forest
Average Precipitation: 75-100 cm per year
Average Temperature: -30-30 Degrees Celsius
Plant Species:Coniferous trees
Deciduous trees lose leaves and are dormant in
the winter time
Examples: Oak, birch, and maple trees
Animal Species:Adapted to constantly changing seasons
(migration/hibernation)
Camouflage for animals that do not hibernate
Examples: squirrels, rabbits, skunks, birds,
deer
Characteristics: Well-defined seasons, summers are hot,
winters are cold
Oct 4­10:36 PM
Temperate Woodland and Shrubland
Average precipitation: 38–100 cm per year
Temperature range: 10°C–40°C
Plant Life: Mixed shrubs and evergreens
Dense, low plants that contain flammable oils make fire a constant threat
Some plants need fire to germinate seeds
Animal Life: Animals tend to be browsers
Characteristics: Summers are very hot and dry, winters are cool and wet
Oct 4­10:30 PM
Desert
Average precipitation: 2–26 cm per year
Temperature range: high: 20°C–49°C; low: ­18°C–10°C
Plant Life: Many plants store water in their tissues
Minimized leaf surface area cuts down water loss
Specialized photosynthesis in some plants, called C4
Animal Life:Animals receive water from the plants they eat
Large or elongated ears are supplied with many blood vessels, aides in the lose of body heat and regulate body temperature
Temperate Grassland
Average precipitation: 50–89 cm per year
Temperature range: ­40°C–38°C
Plant Life: Grassland Plants
Periodic fires and grazing by herbivores maintained plant communities
Animal Life: Camouflage and burrowing are two common protective adaptations Characteristics: Open, exposed environments causes predation to be constant threat for smaller animals
Oct 5­9:48 AM
Tropical Savanna
Average precipitation: 50–130 cm per year
Temperature range: 20°C–30°C
Plant Life:
Animal Life:Many animals migrate during the dry season
Characteristics: Receives more seasonal rain than desert, but less than tropical rainforest Frequent fires, compacted soil
Action from large animals prevent some areas from turning into dry forest
Characteristics: Varying temperature ranges from day to night
Oct 5­9:57 AM
Oct 5­10:05 AM
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Tropical Seasonal Forest
• Average precipitation: >200 cm per year
• Temperature range: 20°C–25°C
• Characteristics: rainfall is seasonal
• Plant Species: Adaptations for little amounts of precipitation
• Animal Species: Many of the animals will migrate in search of food and water
Oct 5­4:30 PM
May 20­4:33 AM
Tropical Rain Forest
Average precipitation: 200–1000 cm per year
Temperature range: 24°C–27°C
Abiotic factors: humid all year; hot and wet
What other information can we add to this slide?
Many groups presented on Tropical Rain Forest
List abiotic and biotic characteristics for this section on your notes sheets
Oct 5­4:40 PM
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