What is a
biome?
A biome is a region of
Earth where the climate
determines the types of
plants that live there. The
plants determine the
types of animals.
What makes each
biome different
from another?
Each biome has a unique
community of plants and
animals. The type
depends on the climate
and other abiotic factors.
Name the main abiotic
factor of a biome. How
does it affect the biome?
Climate is the main factor
of a biome. Biomes
closer to the poles receive
less solar energy and have
colder climates. Biomes
closer to the equator
have more solar energy
and have warmer
climates.
What are some
other abiotic
factors of a biome?
Other abiotic
factors of a biome
are soil type,
amount of sunlight,
and amount of
water that is
available
What is an adaptation?
Give an example of a
plant and animal
adaptation.
An adaptation is a feature
that allow organisms to
survive and reproduce.
An example of a plant
adaptation is a deciduous
tree that loses its leaves
in the winter. An example
of an animal adaptation is
a thick fur coat.
How are
ecosystems related
to biomes?
A biome is a large area of
land. Within each biome
are smaller areas called
ecosystems. The
ecosystems are specific
communities of
organisms and their
environment.
Describe the biotic
and abiotic factors
of the tundra.
Biotic factors: mosses,
woody shrubs, musk
oxen, ground squirrels
Abiotic factors: low
average temperature,
little precipitation, ground
contains permafrost, high
mountains, cold and
windy
Describe the biotic
and abiotic factors
of the taiga.
Biotic factors: coniferous
trees, migratory birds,
wolves, owls, elk,
snowshoe hares
Abiotic factors: low
average temperature,
more precipitation, thin,
acidic, nutrient – poor
soil, seasons change
Describe the biotic and
abiotic factors of the
temperate deciduous
forest.
Biotic factors: deciduous
trees, songbirds,
chipmunks and black
bears, deer, bobcats
Abiotic factors: nutrient
– rich soil, moderate
precipitation, hot
summers and cold
winters
Describe the biotic and
abiotic factors of the
temperate rain forest.
Biotic factors: coniferous
trees, mosses, ferns,
spotted owls, shrews, elk,
cougars
Abiotic factors: long,
cool wet season and a dry
summer, nutrient – rich
soil
Describe the biotic and
abiotic factors of the
tropical rain forest.
Biotic factors: orchids,
birds, monkeys, sloths,
jaguars, snakes and
anteaters
Abiotic factors: warm
throughout the year,
receives more rain than
any other biome, acidic
and nutrient – poor soil
What biome do you
think you live in?
We live in the temperate
deciduous forest biome.
What are the three
main types of
aquatic
ecosystems?
The three main
types of aquatic
ecosystems are
freshwater
ecosystems,
estuaries and
marine ecosystems
Describe each
ecosystem.
Freshwater
ecosystems can
be found in
rivers, lakes and
wetlands.
Describe
estuaries.
Rivers and oceans
form estuaries
where they meet at
the coastline.
Describe
marine
ecosystems.
Marine ecosystems
are found in the
oceans
What abiotic
factors affect
aquatic
ecosystems?
The abiotic factors
that affect aquatic
ecosystems are
water temperature,
water depth, water
pH, salinity, and rate
of water flow.
Describe the
organisms that live
in a freshwater
ecosystem
Some of the
organisms that live in
a freshwater system
are protists such as
algae and amoeba,
frogs, insects, clams,
bacteria, worms,
turtles, fish and ducks.
What is a
wetland?
A wetland is an area
of land that is
saturated, or soaked
with water for at least
part of the year. Bogs,
marshes, and swamps
are types of wetlands
How are wetlands
a benefit to the
community?
In a wetland, water
collects and is filtered.
This process removes
pollutants from the
water. Wetlands also
protect nearby land and
shore from floods and
erosion because they can
hold water.
Name one adaptation
an organism has that
allows it to live in fast
moving water.
One adaptation is the
immature black fly. It
attaches itself to rocks
so it won’t get washed
away.
Rhizoids allow mosses
to stick to rocks.
What is a unique
feature of the
organisms that
live in an
estuary?
Organisms in
estuaries must be
able to survive
constantly changing
salt levels due to
the rise and fall of
tides.
Name and describe
the four zones that
make up the marine
ecosystem
The intertidal zone is the land
between high and low tides
that includes beaches and
rocky shores. Organisms
adapt to changing water
depths, wave action, exposure
to air and changing salinity.
Some organisms include
crabs, seagrass, barnacles,
anemones
Name and describe
the four zones that
make up the marine
ecosystem
The neritic zone is the
underwater zone from the
shore to the edge of the
continental shelf. Light
reaches the bottom of the
zone, so algae and plants can
live there. Coral reefs and kelp
forests are found here.
Some organisms include fish
anemones, coral, shrimp,
brittle stars, and sea otters.
Name and describe
the four zones that
make up the marine
ecosystem
The bathyal zone extends
from the continental shelf to
its base and is considered
open ocean. It reaches depths
of 2,ooo meters.
Plankton float on the surface
where light is available. Other
organisms adapted to the
dark and cold are organisms
that include sharks, whales,
dolphins, fish and sea turtles.
Name the zones
that make up the
marine ecosystem
and describe the
four
The abyssal zone is the area of the
ocean below 2,000 meters. It has the
coldest and darkest conditions. No
light can reach the deep ocean.
Organisms must get energy in another
way. Microorganisms called archaea
convert chemicals released by
hydrothermal vents into usable
energy. Archaea , tubeworms, crabs,
clams and shrimp are part of the
hydrothermal vent ecosystem.
Why are
estuaries
important?
The mix of salt water and
nutrient – rich fresh water
in an estuary support
breeding grounds for
birds, fish, and shellfish
such as crabs and shrimp.
The grasses protect
coastal areas from erosion
and flooding.