BIOMESPP. 105-123
BIOMES Different climates lead to different
communities of organisms, especially vegetation
Average temperature and precipitation
Soil
http://www.discovery.com/tv-shows/other-shows/videos/assignment-discovery-shorts-iii-biomes-deserts
/
DESERTSTropical, temperate, polarDetermined by precipitation, not
temperatureLarger deserts are inland on
continentsExtreme temperatures between
day and night
TROPICAL DESERTS Hot, dry year
round Few plants Hard, windblown
sand and rocks (TV Westerns)
Sahara/Namib Africa
http://i.livescience.com/images/i/000/030/972/i02/shutterstock_93404287.jpg?1347483719
More precipitation than tropical
Summer days—high temps
Winter days—low temps.
Mojave—S. CA
TEMPERATE DESERTS
http://ww2.valdosta.edu/~mhmorgan/Mojave%20pic%203.jpg
TEMPERATE DESERTS Drought-resistant
shrubs Cacti/Succulents Animals—Insects,
reptiles, small mammals, predator birds
http://carranzabanuelos3.weebly.com/uploads/2/6/8/3/26838685/5531298_orig.jpg
COLD DESERTSCold winters,
summers warm/hot
Low precipitation
Sparse vegetation
Gobi, Chinahttp://static.guim.co.uk/sys-images/Travel/Pix/pictures/2012/4/26/1335451740107/The-Gobi-desert-in-Mongol-008.jpg
DESERT PLANT ADAPTATIONSShed leaves in
hot, dry periods to conserve water
Mesquite, creosote
http://texastreeplanting.tamu.edu/treepictures/mesquite_honey.jpg
http://www.redcliffsdesertreserve.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/Creosote-bush-in-flower-2.jpg
DESERT PLANT ADAPTATIONS Succulent (fleshy) to
store water in tissues No leaves (no
evapotranspiration Spines reduce water
loss and protect from herbivores
Deep roots to reach groundwater
Saguarohttp://traveladdictsnet.c.presscdn.com/wp-content/uploads/blogger/-AwzhosmtWgE/UZwPnmvkLUI/AAAAAAAAHOI/_ooZo_DRur8/s400/Arizona-Saguaro-Cactus.jpg
DESERT PLANT ADAPTATIONS Evergreen plants
with waxy coating to reduce water loss
Stomata open at night to get carbon dioxide
Texas Mountain Laurel
http://www.indianolatx.com/AIndPics/Plants/laurelpods60366_39.jpg
DESERT ANIMAL ADAPTATIONSSmall, scales NocturnalConcentrated
waste Insects get
water from dew/food
http://blog.uvm.edu/cgoodnig/files/2014/10/fennec-fox.jpg
DESERT SOILS Long recovery period from disturbances Slow plant growth, low species diversity Slow nutrient recycling due to sparse
bacteria Lack of water Nutrient-poor, mineral rich
GRASSLANDSMostly interiors of continents; too
moist for deserts; too dry for forests
Not enough moisture for treesLow precipitation, various average
temperatureshttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v
=q_t15sZh0-s
SAVANNA PLANT ADAPTATIONS o Widely clumped
trees with thorns to protect from herbivores
o Drought and fire resistant
o Deep roots to reach groundwater
http://room42.wikispaces.com/file/view/4savanna.jpg/34448245/499x312/4savanna.jpg
SAVANNA ANIMAL ADAPTATIONS Farsighted, fast Grazing at different
areas to reduce competition
Migration in dry periods
Giraffes, zebra, antelopes, lions, hyenas, humans
http://thegreatsavanna.weebly.com/uploads/1/4/2/8/14284847/4794163.gif?1352213180
DISTRIBUTION Interior of continents North America (prairies) South America (pampas) Eurasia (steppes) Midwestern/West U.S. and Canada
(short-grass and tall-grass prairies)
TUNDRA—POLAR GRASSLANDS PLANT ADAPTATIONS Low-growing to
escape bitter winds; conserve heat
Permafrost—short, shallow roots
Lichens, moss, grass, dwarf shrubs
http://schmoker.org/TundraLife/Photos/MossCampion-cushions-6.jpg
TUNDRA—POLAR GRASSLANDS ANIMAL ADAPTATIONS Migratory birds Thick fur (snowy
fox, oxen) Feathers (snowy
owl) Burrowing
(lemmings) http://www.discovery.com/tv-sh
ows/other-shows/videos/assignment-discovery-shorts-iii-biomes-tundra/
http://thetundrabiome01.weebly.com/uploads/1/8/5/1/18519458/288476185_orig.jpg
MOUNTAIN BIOMESOne-fourth of earth’s land surfaceDramatic changes in altitudes,
climate, soil, vegetation over short distances
Steep slopes create soil erosion (landslides) or humans (timber cutting, agriculture)
ECOLOGICAL ROLES OF MOUNTAINSMajority world’s forest
(biodiversity habitat)Sanctuaries for animal species75% freshwater stored in glacial
ice (most in mountain area)Hydrologic cycle
PLANT ADAPTATIONSShape of trees
shed snowWaxy needles
to reduce water loss
http://cache4.asset-cache.net/gc/108730806-coniferous-trees-with-snow-gettyimages.jpg?v=1&c=IWSAsset&k=2&d=ceKD2LJv%2B89nRRmKG4p7F25lwYzldmzv8rVsukLv7yM%3D
ANIMAL ADAPTATIONS Migratory birds Hibernation Thick coats
http://oakdome.com/k5/lesson-plans/powerpoint/images/taiga-forest-ecosystems/3-taiga-forest-ecosystem.gif
PLANT ADAPTATIONSBroadleaf
evergreens to catch light through dense canopy
Climbing vines to reach sunlight
http://www.apethana.com/gallery/data/media/4/Lianas%20in%20Interior%20of%20Lowland%20Rainforest,%20La%20Selva%20Biological%20Station,%20Costa%20Rica.jpg
ANIMAL ADAPTATIONSBirds with
beaks to eat fruits/nuts
Climbing animals to escape dense vegetation
http://www.animalsinthetropicalrainforest.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/Animals-In-The-Tropical-Rainforest1-300x226.jpg
TROPICAL RAINFOREST Nutrient-poor soil Fast decomposition due to moist, warm
climate with plenty of vegetation on forest flower
Fast uptake by dense vegetation creates the nutrient-poor soil
TROPICAL DRY RAINFORESTWarm year round with wet/dry
seasonLower tree heights; less dense
TEMPERATE RAINFOREST Coastal areas with ample rainfall and
moisture from dense ocean fog Ocean moderates climate (mild winters
and cool summers) Coast of North America (Canada to
Northern California)
TEMPERATE DECIDUOUS FOREST Moderate average temperature with
changing seasons Long, warm summers and cold (not
severe) winters Abundant precipitation Fertile soil—Slow decomposition with
ample leaf litter builds up nutrients
ANIMAL ADAPTATIONSHibernationMigratory birdsCamouflauge
http://www.buzzle.com/img/articleImages/335617-32323-1.jpg
DEGRADATION OF MOUNTAINSAgricultureTimber extraction Increasing tourismUrban air pollution Increased UV due to ozone
depletionSoil damage from off road vehicles