Ecological Levels of Ecological Levels of Organization - BIOMESOrganization - BIOMES

Earth’sBiomes

Tropical & Temperate Rain Forest

Desert

Grassland / Savanna / Steppe / Prairie

(Temperate) Deciduous Forest

Taiga / Coniferous Forest

Tundra

Water Biomes

Earth’s BiomesEarth’s BiomesAreas with similar abiotic factors

(soil, water & climate) usually have similar biotic factors (plants & animals).

Climate – average weather pattern in an area over a long period of time.◦Precipitation & temperature

Biome – a group of ecosystems with similar climates & organisms◦Contains related ecosystems

Terrestrial Biomes – Terrestrial Biomes – Graphic OrganizerGraphic Organizer

Climate: Plants: Animals:

Illustration of biome. Distinguishing characteristics:

(distinguishes it from other biomes)

-Temperature-Precipitation

-Examples-Adaptations

-Examples-Adaptations

Terrestrial or Land BiomesTerrestrial or Land BiomesTundraTaiga / Coniferous (Boreal) ForestTemperate Deciduous ForestGrasslands (Savanna, Steppe,

Prairie)DesertsTropical Rain ForestTemperate Rain Forest

TundraTundraCold, dry region; cold desertClimate:

◦Precipitation – 30 – 50 cm of rain/yr.◦Avg. temperature – summer 12˚C; winter -

26˚C Slow decomposition due to cold temperatures.

Polar tundras – found near the North Pole◦permafrost – layer of soil that stays frozen

all the time; only the surface thaws◦Plants: shallow-rooted plants (grasses &

small shrubs); mosses; lichens; no trees◦Animals: insects, migratory birds (ducks,

geese, shorebirds & songbirds); hawks; owls; arctic hares; musk oxen; wolves; caribou; reindeer

Tundra (continued)Tundra (continued)Alpine tundra – top of tall

mountains◦Also has permafrost◦Found above the “tree line”◦Gets plenty of sunlight &

precipitation

Coniferous ForestsConiferous Forestsaka: the taiga or boreal forestsConifers – trees that produce seeds in

cones; needles; aka: evergreen treesClimate:

◦ Precipitation - 35 – 75 cm of rain or snow/yr.◦ Average temperature – summer 14˚ C, winter

-10˚ CPlants: coniferous trees (Douglas fir,

spruce); few large plantsAnimals: squirrels; insects; birds

(finches, chickadees, jays); herbivores (porcupines, elk, moose, ); bears; foxes; lynx◦ Migration & hibernation

Taiga/Coniferous (Boreal) Taiga/Coniferous (Boreal) ForestForest

Temperate Deciduous Temperate Deciduous ForestsForestsDeciduous – “to fall off” – trees that

shed their leaves to save water during the winter or during the dry season

Have 4 distinct seasons in a year (fall, winter, spring, summer)

Climate:◦ Precipitation – 75 – 125 cm of rain/yr.◦ Average temperature – summer 28˚ C,

winter 6 ˚ CPlants: deciduous trees (oaks, maples);

ferns; mossesAnimals: deer, bears, snakes,

woodpeckers, chipmunks, opossums, mice, skunks

Temperate Deciduous Temperate Deciduous ForestForest

GrasslandsGrasslands aka: steppes, prairies, savannas, pampas Found on every continent except Antarctica Temperate Grassland

◦ Climate: Precipitation – 25 – 75 cm of rain/yr. Average temperature – summer 30˚C; winter 0˚C

◦ Plants: grasses; flowering plants; few trees; crops – wheat, rye, barley, corn

◦ Animals: small, seed-eating animals (prairie dogs & mice); large grass-eaters (bison); kangaroos; cattle & sheep

Savannas (Africa)◦ Climate:

Precipitation – 50 - 130 cm rain/yr. Average temperature – dry season 34˚C; wet season 16˚C

◦ Plants: scattered clumps of trees; grasses◦ Animals: large herbivores (elephants, giraffes,

zebras, wildebeests)

GrasslandsGrasslands

DesertsDesertsDriest biome on EarthClimate:

◦ Precipitation – less than 25 cm of rain/yr.◦ Avg. temperature – summer 38˚C; winter 7˚C

Temperature shifts from day to night Ex: Gobi desert in Asia – freezing temperatures in the

winterPlants: cacti

◦ Adaptations – grow far apart; shallow roots; store water; waxy-coated leaves

Animals: toads, tortoises, kangaroo rat, scorpions, few large animals; reptiles◦ Adaptations – nocturnal (active at night);

dormant during dry season; store water; big ears

DesertsDeserts

Tropical Rain ForestsTropical Rain ForestsHave more biological diversity that any

other place on EarthClimate:

◦ Precipitation – 200 – 600 cm of rain/yr.◦ Average temperature – daytime 34˚ C;

nighttime 20˚ C Warmer than temperate rain forests due to

location near the equatorPlants: ferns, orchids, tall trees; low

growing plants that don’t need much light

Animals: birds (parrots); insects; snakes; frogs; monkeys; lizards◦ canopy – tree tops

Tropical Rain ForestsTropical Rain Forests

Temperate Rain ForestsTemperate Rain ForestsFound in New Zealand, southern Chile,

& the Pacific Northwest of the U.S.Climate:

◦Precipitation – 200 cm – 400 cm of rainfall/yr.

◦Avg. temperature – 9˚C – 12˚CPlants: trees with needlelike leaves

(Douglas fir, cedar, spruce)Animals: black bear; cougar; bobcat;

northern spotted owl; amphibians

Temperate Rain ForestsTemperate Rain Forests

Mountains & IceMountains & IceMountains can contain many

different biomes.◦Temperature & precipitation change

with elevationIce

◦Usually fits in with the tundra biome

Mountains

Water Biomes…Water Biomes…

1. Examples of freshwater biomes:

2. Why is shallow water important to plant life?

3. Producers:4. Consumers:5. Examples of

adaptations:

1. Oceans contain many habitats. These habitat differ in…

2. Adaptations organisms have to live in:1. Intertidal

zone2. Neritic zone3. Surface zone4. Deep zone

1. Define estuary –2. Why is an

estuary a rich habitat for living things?

3. Producers:4. Consumers:

Illustration of Freshwater

Biome (Pond Life)

Illustration of Marine Biome

(Ocean)

Illustration of Estuary

Aquatic CommunitiesAquatic CommunitiesFreshwaterMarineEstuary

Aquatic CommunitiesAquatic Communities

Important Abiotic Factors:Land biomes – climate

Aquatic communities◦water depth◦water temperature◦amount of sunlight◦amounts of dissolved oxygen & salt

in water

FreshwaterFreshwater

Examples of Freshwater Biomes◦Rivers & streams◦Lakes & ponds◦Wetlands (marshes, swamps, bogs)

Freshwater (continued)Freshwater (continued)

Why is shallow water important to plant life?◦It permits sunlight to shine through

for photosynthesis.◦This will provide more food for

consumers.

Freshwater (continued)Freshwater (continued)Examples of Producers:

◦Algae◦Plants

Examples of Consumers:◦Fish◦Frogs◦Insects (along shoreline)◦Snails◦Salamanders

Freshwater (continued)Freshwater (continued)Adaptations:

◦ Still water: insects, snails, frogs, salamanders

◦ Moving water: Trout = streamlined bodies Frogs = suction cups to hold onto rocks

Marine Biomes Marine Biomes (Saltwater (Saltwater Ecosystems)Ecosystems)About 95% of the water on the

surface of Earth contains high concentrations of salt.

Examples:OceansSeasInland saltwater lakes

MarineMarine Oceans contain many habitats.

These habitats differ in:◦ Sunlight amount◦ Water temperature◦ Wave action◦ Water pressure

MarineMarine Adaptations:

◦ Intertidal zone Need to withstand the pounding action

of waves, sudden changes in temperature, & being covered with water & then exposed to air

Barnacles & sea stars cling to rocks Clams & crabs burrow in the sand

Marine (for foldable) - Marine (for foldable) - AdaptationsAdaptations

◦ Neritic zone Shallow water permits photosynthesis

for producers Schools of fish feed on algae Coral reefs in warm waters

Marine (for foldable) - Marine (for foldable) - AdaptationsAdaptations

◦ Surface zone (open ocean) Algae photosynthesis Larger fish (tuna, swordfish) and whales

depend directly or indirectly on algae for food

Marine (for foldable) - Marine (for foldable) - AdaptationsAdaptations

◦ Deep zone Dark! Some organisms produce light (glowing

squid & the angler fish)

EstuaryEstuaryEstuary = found where freshwater of a river meets salt water of the ocean.An estuary is a rich habitat for living things because the shallow water for

photosynthesis and large supply of nutrients carried by the river.Producers: marsh grasses & algaeConsumers: crabs, worms, oysters & fish

EstuaryEstuary