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World Biomes
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Tropical Rainforest
Abiotic factors
 high biodiversity and biomass
 both hot and moist;
 ideal for bacteria and other microorganisms; they quickly decompose matter on the
forest floor allowing nutrients to be recycled.
 <1 cm of topsoil
 About 100 in/yr of rainfall
Bougainvillea
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Sunlight is a major limiting factor
Plants grow in layers (canopy receives most light)
Shallow, wide roots since soil is so thin and poor in nutrients
Little sun reaches the floor
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 Many symbiotic relationships
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 Live in different levels of canopy
Threats to the Tropical Rainforest
The Temperate Rainforest
Pacific Coastal Forest
Climate and Geography
• Temperate Rainforest is defined as a forest in the mid-latitudes that receives more
than 50-60 inches of rainfall a year (rainfall in SE AK varies from 48-300 inches per
year)
• Mild, wet winters and cool, foggy or cloudy summers
• Winter temperatures rarely drop below freezing, and summer temperatures seldom
exceed 80°
• Can be found in the Pacific NW of North America, New Zealand, Tasmania and
Patagonia.
Temperate Rainforest Map
Climate and Geography
• The temperate rain forests of the Pacific Northwest develop where moisture-rich air
from the Pacific Ocean rise and become trapped by coastal mountain ranges
• The moisture then condenses and returns to earth in the form of heavy rainfall and,
at higher elevations, snow.
Climate and Geography
• Basic characteristics/requirements for a temperate rainforest:
– Proximity to coast
– Presence of coastal mountains
– Minimal seasonal temperature variations (cool summers, mild winters)
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– Minimal seasonal temperature variations (cool summers, mild winters)
– Lots of precipitation (hence the title ‘rainforest’)
Trees of the Temperate Rainforest
• Although climate of the Pacific Northwest varies considerably from Alaska to
California, there are certain species of trees that are present throughout, which
climatically unifies the region.
• These indicator
trees are Sitka Spruce
and Western Hemlock
Trees of the Temperate Rainforest
• Because of ideal growing conditions (lots of moisture, lack of temperature extremes),
trees in the coastal rainforest grow very large.
Trees of the Temperate Rainforest
• Other indicators of the Temperate Rainforest are:
– Nurse logs - usually fallen Sitka
Spruce upon which seedlings of
trees grow.
– Colonnades - trees standing in a row as a result of getting their start on nurse
logs.
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– A profusion of lichens and mosses.
Animals of the Temperate Rainforest
• While the trees and plants that make up the temperate rain forest are important, the
animals that live there are equally vital.
And some more animals…
• A trip to the Temperate Rainforest wouldn’t be complete with out
encountering……..SLUGS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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Temperate Deciduous Forests
Location:
 found in temperate zone
(about 480 North latitude)
 Much of the human population lives in this biome
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 Characterized by an abundance of deciduous (leaf bearing) trees
Characterized by 4 seasons
More diversity in the deciduous forest vs. the coniferous forest due to
increased sunlight.
Trees adapt to varied climate by becoming dormant in winter
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 Lose Winter Coat
 Adapt to many seasons
 Eat from different layers of the forest
Threats to Temperate Deciduous Forests
Taiga
aka Northern Coniferous Forest or Boreal Forest
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Taiga
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Taiga
Abiotic factors
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 Winters are long and cold
 Averages 100 in/yr precipitation—mostly snow
 Soil poor in nutrients and very acidic
 Growing season is very short
Balsam Fir
 Coniferous (needle-bearing) trees are abundant
 Roots long to anchor trees
 Needles long, thin and waxy
 Low sunlight and poor soil keeps plants from growing on forest floor
Moose
 Adapt for cold winters
 Burrow, hibernate, warm coat, insulation, etc
Threats to the Taiga
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Savannas (Tropical Grasslands)
Contain the greatest number of grazing animals on Earth.
Location: Found in the tropics…near equator
Amount of precipitation supports tall grasses but only occasional trees.
The word savanna stems from an Amerind term for plai
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Tropical Savanna
Abiotic Factors
Rainy and dry season
25-150 in/yr precipitation
Fire plays a large role in this ecosystem
Whistling Thorn
Umbrella Thorn Acacia
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Adapt for short rainy season—migrate as necessary
Limited food leads to vertical feeding
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Prairie and Steppe:
Grassland areas
 Characteristic high Winds
Sod-forming grasses that won’t dry out or blow away in wind.
Fleabane
Many adaptations to survive extremes
Grasslands
http://www.blueplanetbiomes.org/grasslands.htm
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Desert Abiotic factors
 <10 in/yr of rain
 Little to no topsoil due to high winds.
 Minerals not deep in soil.
 Too dry for decay
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Joshua Tree
Desert Plant Adaptations:
 Spines
 Succulents
 Thick, waxy cuticle
 Shallow, broad roots
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Desert Animal Adaptations:
 Get water from food
 Thick outer coat
 Burrow during day
 Large ears
 Smaller animals =
less surface area
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Tundra Abiotic Factors
 <25 in of rain /year
 Temp rarely higher than 100C
 Permafrost layer
 Short growing season
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Perennials
Woody shrubs
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Many visitors, migration
Few predators
Little Competition
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Mountain Vegetation (Alpine Biome)
General Information
• Similar to tundra/artic biomes
– High mountain areas: 10,000 ft+
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– High mountain areas: 10,000 ft+
– Average temperature
• Summer: 10-15 C
• Winter: Below freezing
– Limiting Factors: several temperature, lack of CO2, high UV wavelengths, etc.
– Precipitation: 30 cm/year
Species Diversity
• Plant life- Growing season is about 180 days, and the soil is well-drained.
– Tussock grasses, dwarf trees, small-leafed shrubs, heaths
• Animals- only warm-blooded animals can be found
– Mountain goats, sheep, elk, insects including beetles, grasshoppers, and
butterflies.
People in the Alpines
• Populations in the alpine biome are specially adapted to the living conditions
– Larger lung capacity
– More hemoglobin in blood
• The Sherpas are the world’s highest living population
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