The Biosphere

Biosphere = anywhere on or above the surface of the earth where organisms live.

-2 parts-Terrestrial-Aquatic

Climate = the weather conditions in a particular region.

Biosphere is broken up into different climates

Why are their different climates?

Solar Energy Topography –(Rain Shadow) Distance to water body

Rain Shadow

Terrestrial Communities (Biome) Each community consists of plants, animals, bacteria, etc.

that are adapted to living in a certain climate. Types

Tundra Coniferous Forest Deciduous Forest Tropical Forest Shrublands Grasslands Deserts

Tundra

Found at North and South poles Only small plants; grass and flowers (spring) Very few animals live here year around Most animals migrate here (spring)

Coniferous Forest

Found in Northern Latitudes Main organism: Conifers

Deciduous Forest

Main organism: Deciduous Trees

Forest has layers; Canopy / Understory Trees / shrubs / moss and lichen

Tropical Forest

Centered around the Equator

Shrubland aka Chaparral Subject to fires

Plants are adapted thick leaves to prevent desiccationDeep roots to survive fireSeeds that need fire

Grasslands

Main organism: grass Rarely trees or shrubs Aka – Savanna

Deserts

Not that much moisture Little to no vegetation

Aquatic Communities

Freshwater Marine Brackish –mix of both