THE WORLD’S MAJOR BIOMES Objectives: I CAN … Analyze the environments and the interdependence among organisms found in the world’s major biomes. I CAN … Identify the biotic and abiotic elements of the major biomes. Think about it… 1) What’s the difference between a biome and an ecosystem? 2) How would you define an animal adaptation? Biomes & Adaptations • An ecosystem is the interaction of living (biotic) and nonliving (abiotic) things in an environment. An ecosystem can be large or small. (Remember the Five Levels of Environmental Organization?) • A biome is a large geographic area defined by characteristic climate features, plant and animal life. Biomes are generally found in bands of latitude around the planet. The have similar biotic and abiotic factors. • The organisms living in a particular biome have adapted to the terrain and weather of that region. An adaptation is a way an organism’s physical features or behavior. World’s Major Biomes Tropical Rainforest • Located near equator • Covers less than 2% of Earth’s total surface area, but home to 50% of Earth’s plants and animals. • Greatest biodiversity: Home to 15 million species of plants and animals • Endangered Biome – threatened by mining and logging practices Tropical Rainforest Abiotic Factors • Warm temps and high rainfall allow a lot of plant growth • Average temperatures: Day 34* C/93 F Night 20* C/68 F • Average yearly rainfall up to 400 cm (157.5 in) • Less than 1 cm of topsoil • Sunlight is a limiting factor • Little light reaches ground Tropical Rainforest Plant Adaptations Plants grow in 4 layers: forest floor, understory, canopy, and emergent layer Examples: bamboo, banana trees, orchids, insect-eating pitcher plants Trees form a continuous green roof or canopy Canopy prevents sunlight reaching floor Soil so thin plants have shallow, wide roots. Some plants have roots above ground for support Most of nutrients are found in the plants not the soil Tropical Rainforest ? Poison Arrow Frog Why do animals need adaptations? Tree sloth’s fur covered in algae Animal Adaptations ? • Behavior • Structural (physical) • Camouflage ? Many symbiotic relationships ? Animals adapt to living on their forest level Toucan’s long beak can snag hard to reach fruit Temperate Deciduous Forests Location: Found in temperate zone (about 480 north latitude) Much of the human population lives in this biome Temperate Deciduous Forests Abiotic Factors Characterized by an abundance of deciduous (leaf bearing) trees 4 seasons Leaves change color and fall off Soils: Deep soil layers, rich in nutrients Average yearly rainfall: 75 cm to 125 cm (29.5 in. to 49 in.) Average Temps: Summer 28* C (82 F) Winter 6* C (43 F) Lady Fern Temperate Deciduous Forest Plant Adaptations White Birch More diversity in the deciduous forest vs. the coniferous forest due to increased sunlight. Trees adapt to varied climate by becoming dormant in winter Deciduous forests grow in layers More sunlight reaches the ground compared to a rainforest so you will find more ground dwelling plants. Geulder Rose Temperate Deciduous Forest Animal Adaptations Bald Eagle Fox Turtle Lose Winter Coat Adapt to many seasons Eat from different layers of the forest Physical features Coniferous Forest a.k.a. Taiga Location: Found only in Northern Hemisphere Coniferous Forest Abiotic factors Average Yearly Rainfall 35 cm to 75 cm (14 in to 29.5 in) Soil poor in nutrients and very acidic Trees prevent sunlight from reaching ground Average temperatures: Summer 14* C / 57* F Winter -10* C / 14* F Coniferous Forest Plant adaptations Fireweed Waxy coating helps tree conserve water protects needles from cold weather stay green all year, do not loose leaves Coniferous (needle-bearing) trees are abundant – produces seeds in cones Roots long to anchor trees Needles long, thin with waxy coating Low sunlight and poor soil keeps plants from growing on forest floor Balsam Fir Animal Adaptations Coniferous Forest Moose fur traps air to act as an insulator Adapt for cold winters Burrow, hibernate, warm coat, insulation, etc. Some birds migrate south Snowshoe Hares change fur color each season Bears hibernate underground Grasslands Made up of mainly grasses, small flowering plants, and few trees. Two kinds: Temperate Grasslands and Savannas Savannas Contains 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 Savannas Abiotic Factors Two seasons: Wet and dry season (Fires occur often in dry season) Average yearly rainfall: 150 cm (59 in.) Average Temperatures: Dry season 34* C (93* F) Wet season 16* C (61* F) Whistling Thorn Umbrella Thorn Acacia Savannas Plant Adaptations Kangaroos Paws Baobab tree Grows in Tufts Resistance to Drought Many plants have thorns and sharp leaves to protect against predators. Savannas Animal Adaptations • Adapt for short rainy season migration • Limited food leads to vertical feeding (trees) • Live in herds (Zebras striped pattern makes hard for lion to pick single zebra from group) • Camouflage Temperate Grasslands Prairies and Steppes ABIOTIC FACTORS Average yearly rainfall: 25 cm to 75 cm (10 in to 29.5 in) Characteristic high Winds Average temperatures: Summer 30* C (86* F) Winter 0* C (32* F) Grasslands (Prairie) Plant Adaptations Sod-forming grasses that won’t dry out or blow away in wind. Fleabane Buffalo Grass Grasslands (Prairie) Animal Adaptations Many adaptations to survive extremes Bison Broad, flat topped teeth to chew grasses Prairie dog Prairie Rattlesnake What is its adaptation? front paws can dig easily to hide underground Some animals nocturnal for protection Desert BIOME • Very hot • Very dry • Organisms have special adaptations Desert Abiotic factors Less than 10 in/year of rain Little to no topsoil due to high winds Minerals not deep in soil Too dry for decay Average Temperatures: Summer 38* C (100* F) Winter 7* C (45* F) Barrel Cactus Desert Plant Adaptations: Ocotollio Spines Cactuses store water Thick, waxy cuticle Shallow, broad roots near surface to take up water quickly after rain Joshua Tree Thorny Devil drinks water through its skin Desert Animal Adaptations: Jackrabbit Get water from food Thick outer coat Burrow underground during day Large ears Nocturnal – active at night Some animals have salt glands to secrete salt without a loss of water Tundra Very cold temperatures and very little rainfall. TWO TYPES: Polar Tundra (a.k.a. Arctic) Alpine Tundra Polar Tundra is found near North and South Poles. Alpine Tundra is found at the tops of tall mountains. http://www.runet.edu/~swoodwar/CLA SSES/G EOG235 /biome s/tundr a/tundr a.html Tundra Abiotic Factors Average Yearly Rainfall 30 cm to 50 cm (12 in to 20 in) Average Temps: Summer 12* C (54* F) Winter -26*C (-15* F) Permafrost – layer of soil below surface stays frozen Summer melting - soil becomes very muddy Plant Adaptations Tundra Growing close to the ground helps resist wind and cold Shallow roots to absorb the limited water resources Above elevation called “tree line” (trees cannot grow on a mountain) cotton grass Arctic fox Tundra ? Animal Adaptations Migration & hibernation Few predators Little Competition Mountain goat has rough pads on each toe provides grip Small ears reduces heat loss Insulation, thick coat Polar Bears can close their nostrils to swim underwater Putting it together • BIOME PROJECT – Total of SIX Biomes • Create poster presentations to illustrate differences among the world’s major biomes. • • • • • Coniferous Forest FOR EACH BIOME: Temperate Deciduous Forest Colored Illustration includes: Alpine or Polar Tundra 2 abiotic & 2 biotic factors Tropical Rain Forest Write 2 interesting facts Desert Describe 2 organisms adaptations • Grasslands: Temperate Grasslands or Savannas