Copy the questions and write your answers.
Consider the different levels of organization in an ecosystem (from Friday’s worksheet)…
1) How do population and community differ?
2) How do community and ecosystem differ?

CO: I will identify biomes and compare adaptations in each.
LO: I will write notes and draw a picture to represent each biome.

Important Vocabulary:
• Biotic factor: living organisms in a biome
• Abiotic factor: non -living things in a biome
• Adaptations: a characteristic that differs among organisms that increases an organism’s chance of survival

 Biomes are a group of ecosystems with similar
(temperature and rainfall) and
.

 Location:
- Found near equator
- Little variation in temperatures
- No distinct seasons
Earth's most complex land biome http://www.cotf.edu/ete/modules/msese/earthsysflr/

http://www.cotf.edu/ete/modules/msese/earthsysfl
Tropical Rainforest
• Abiotic factors
 high biodiversity
 both hot and moist
 ideal for decomposters
(bacteria, microorganisms)
 A lot of rainfall

 Plant Adaptation examples
1. Most sunlight does not reach floor
2. Plants grow in layers
(“ canopy ”)
3. Shallow, wide roots

 Animal Adaptation examples
1. Adapted to levels in canopy (claws, eye size, etc)
2. Camouflage
Slender Loris http://www.blueplanetbiomes.org/rnfrst_animal_page.htm

2) Temperate Deciduous Forests
• Location:
 Temperate zone
 Where most the human population lives
 Has 4 seasons

Temperate Deciduous Forests
 Abiotic Factors
 Deep, nutrient-rich soil
 Average precipitation in all forms
 Has abundant amount of deciduous (leaf bearing trees)

 Plant adaptations
 High diversity due to increased sunlight
 Trees become dormant in winter

 Animal Adaptation examples
 Lose winter coat
 Adapt to many seasons
 Eat from different layers of the forest

aka Northern Coniferous Forest or Boreal Forest
 Location: Found only in Northern Hemisphere

• Abiotic factors
 Winters are long and cold
 Precipitation is mostly snow
 Soil poor in nutrients
 Short growing season

Taiga Plant adaptations
Balsam Fir
Fireweed
 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 http://www.inchinapinch.com/hab_pgs/terres/coniferous/plants.htm

 Animal Adaptations examples
 Adapt for cold winters
 Burrow, hibernate
 Warm coat, insulation

4) Grasslands
• Location: Found in the right above and below equator
• Contain the greatest number of grazing animals on Earth.

• Abiotic Factors
 Rainy and dry season
 Amount of precipitation supports tall grasses but only occasional trees.
 Fire plays a large role in this ecosystem

 Plant Adaptation examples
 Grows in groups
 Resistance to drought
 Thorns and sharp leaves to protect against predation.

 Animal Adaptation examples
• Adapt for short rainy season— migrate as necessary
• Reproduce during rainy season—ensures more young survive

5) Desert
 Location: Various depending on type of desert
 Mainly near equator
 Abiotic Factors:
 Less than 10 inches of rain per year
 Poor soil quality

• Plant Adaptation examples:
 Spines
 Thick, waxy cuticle
 Shallow, broad roots

Animal Adaptation examples:
 Get water from food
 Burrow during day
 Large ears
 Smaller animals = less surface area

6) Tundra
 Location: Found north of the Arctic Circle
 Abiotic Factors:
 Cold temperatures
 Low precipitation
 Short growing season

 Plant Adaptation examples:
 Grow close to the ground
 Shallow roots to absorb the limited water resources.

 Animal Adaptation examples :

Insulation (thick coat)
 Migrate often
 Few predators

 Location: Covers nearly
¾ of the Earth’s surface.
 Abiotic Factors:
 Most productive in shallow waters (where sunlight is available)

 Plant adaptation examples:
- Plants are micro and macroscopic
- Have floating plants ( kelp shown here
)
- Developed relationship with marine animals http://www.calstatela.edu/faculty/eviau/edit557/oceans/norma/onfrm.htm

 Animal Adaptation examples :
 Phytoplankton : base of marine food chain
 Gills, fins
 Eye positions and shapes