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Terrestrial biomes
This document describes the major biomes of the world. It discusses tropical rainforests, temperate rainforests, temperate deciduous forests, taiga, tropical savannas, grasslands and prairies, deserts, tundra. For each biome it outlines the climate, plant and animal adaptations that allow organisms to thrive in each distinctive environment.
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Terrestrial biomes
- 2. I. Biomes: areas thathave distinctive climates and organisms
- 4.
- 5. Tropical Rainforest once, 20% of earth; now 7% exist around equator, so strong sunlight and consistent climate.
- 6. Tropical Rainforest humid, always warm, never freezes, lots of rain (100-400 in. a year = 250-1000 cm/yr)
- 7. Tropical Rainforest Has poor soil. So how do many species of plants thrive?
- 8. answer: rapid decay of plants and animals constantly returning nutrients to the soil
- 9. plants grow inlayers (strata) for sunlight. Lots of light at canopy; little at bottom. Plants on forest floor often have huge leaves.
- 10. animals are often poisonousor camouflaged
- 11. Temperate Rain Forest occur in North & South America, Australia, & New Zealand
- 12. Temperate Rain Forest cool & humid Mild winters and summers for latitude 70 – 200 inches of rain per year (150 – 500 cm)
- 13. Temperate Rain Forest Only a few species of lush evergreen and deciduous trees on windward slopes Redwoods – tallest trees on earth Huge ferns, thick undergrowth
- 14. Temperate Rain Forest Numerous bird and mammal species – raccoons, gray wolf, white-tailed deer, bears, badgers, wild pigs, etc.
- 15. Temperate Deciduous Forests Leavesturn colors. Trees shed leaves each fall.
- 16. Temperate Deciduous Forests exist b/t30 degrees & 50 degrees north latitude, so seasonal variation
- 17. Temperate Deciduous Forests 30 -100 inches Precipitation (75-250 cm/yr)
- 18. soil rich &deep. Why? rain causes rapid decomposition of leaves
- 19. forests grow in layers migratory birds ; hibernating animals
- 20. Taiga: northern coniferous forest just below Arctic Circle
- 21. Taiga long, cold winters precipitation= snow constant daylight in summer
- 22. Taiga conifer trees: needle- shaped leaves (retain water, acidic)
- 23. Taiga soil forms slowly,is acidic; few plants on ground
- 24. Taiga migrating birds, burrowingand camouflaged animals
- 25.
- 26. Tropical Savanna near equator very little rain - less than 6 months of the year (4 –70 inches)
- 27. Tropical Savanna plants: long underground roots to survive fire and dry season, perennials; - thorny plants so animals won’t eat
- 28. Tropical Savanna Migratory herbivores follow rains- different herbivores eat plants of different heights.
- 29. Tropical Savanna Contains the largest number of grazing animals
- 30. Tropical Savanna predators follow mostly large land animals
- 31.
- 32. Temperate Grasslands & Prairies Rainfall – 25 – 88 cm/year (10 – 35 in/yr) Sizzling temperatures in summer buffalo 30º - 50º N latitude
- 33. Temperate Grasslands & Prairies Plant Adaptations - Root systems of plants form dense mats to survive drought and fire and hold the soil in place. - Few trees because of the drought, fire and constant wind.
- 34. Temperate Grasslands & Prairies Animal Adaptations - buffalos have thick coats to withstand the cold winters - prairie dogs & owls live in underground burrows to protect them from fire, elements and predators
- 35.
- 36. Deserts receive less than10 in. precip/yr (25 cm/ yr) extreme temp flux! Dry winds
- 37. Deserts soil rich in minerals, but poor in organic matter. Why?
- 38. Deserts ans: not enough waterto aid in decomposition.
- 39. Deserts plants: succulents :thick stems& leaves to store water -
- 40. Deserts spiny & thorny underground bulbs or wide root systems
- 41. Deserts animals: dry, scaly skin
- 42. Deserts some estivate (bury themselves in the ground & sleep through the dry season)
- 43. Deserts many nocturnal Kangaroo rat
- 44.
- 45.
- 46. Tundra biome w/o trees, grasses & shrubs grow in permanently frozen soil (permafrost)
- 47. Tundra 7 – 40inches of rain/year Only 2 or 3 months above freezing Long and cold winter Brief cool summer
- 48. Tundra plants: mosses & lichens(can grow w/o soil)
- 49. Tundra wide, shallow rootsanchor plants against wind
- 50. Tundra animals: migratory camouflage thick coats