Topic Biomes

Topic: Biomes Learning Objective/Outcome: Keywords/Questions Notes What is the tundra A cold desert. sometimes referred to as? What is the average precipitation in the tundra? 25 cm/yr. What is the average temperature in the tundra? -12°C. What is permafrost? A layer of permanently frozen soil typical of the tundra. What kinds of plants grown in the tundra? Low growing species of lichens, mosses, and grasses all adapted to drought and cold. Which organisms inhabit the tundra during the summer? Many insects and migratory bird. Which organisms stay in the tundra year round? Caribou, lemmings, artic hare, fox, musk ox, and many small rodents. What is the world’s largest biome? The taiga. What is the average precipitation in the taiga? 60 cm/yr. What is the average temperature in the taiga? 0°C. What kinds of trees grow in the taiga? Cone-bearing evergreen trees. What kinds of plants inhabit the forest floor of the taiga? Lichens and mosses. Why do these kinds of The dense forest overhead limits the variety of plant life, since it blocks out plants grow on the sunlight. forest floor of the taiga? What kinds of animals Many carnivores such as bears, wolves, and lynx, which fed on moose, live in the taiga? snowshoe hare, and shrews. What is the temperate deciduous forest biome known for? For having four distinct seasons. What temperature is reached in the temperate deciduous forest in the summer? 30°C. What is the low temperature reached in the temperate deciduous forest in the winter? -30°C. What is the average temperature in the temperate deciduous forest? 10°C. What is the average precipitation in the temperate deciduous forest? 100 cm/yr. What kinds of trees live in the temperate deciduous forest? Deciduous trees, which drop their leaves every fall. What kinds of plants grow on the shady forest floor of the temperate deciduous forest? Shrubs, ferns, herbs, and mosses. What kind of wildlife live in the temperate deciduous forest? Many kinds of birds, insects, amphibian, reptiles, raccoons, squirrels, skunks, wood mice, deer, bears, bobcats, cougars, wolves, and coyotes. What is the defining characteristic of rainforests? The significant amount of rain they receive. What are the two types of rainforests? Temperate and tropical. How do temperate rainforests differ from Temperate rainforests are cooler and dryer than tropical rainforests. tropical rainforests? Describe the climate of temperate rainforests. They have an average temperature of 10°C and receive around 300 cm of rain/year. Describe the climate of tropical rainforests. They have a fairly constant temperature around 25°C all year and can get up to 600 cm of rain/year. List and define the layers of the rainforest. - Emergent layer has trees that protrude out over the rest. - Canopy consists of tall overlapping trees that shade the rest of the forest. - Understory has small trees and shrubs which receive little sunlight and compete with canopy tree roots for nutrients. - Forest floor is covered with detritus, dead or decaying organic matter. Moss, ferns, and fungi may live there. Are rainforests highly biodiverse? What percent of plant and animal species is the rainforest estimated to contain? Yes. 50%. What kinds of animals Just about every type of animal can be found there: insects, amphibians, can be found in the birds, reptiles, and mammals. rainforest? How much rainfall do deserts receive each year? Less than 25 cm/yr. What adaptations have plants developed to live in the desert? Plants are tough and wiry with small or no leaves, water resistant cuticles, and spines to deter consumers. What adaptations have desert animals developed? Many are nocturnal or stay in the shade or under the ground to stay cool. They get most of their water from food, and they concentrate their urine to conserve fluids. How much rainfall do grasslands receive? 25 – 75 cm/yr. What prevents forests from growing where grasslands are? Dry seasons prevent forest growth and allow grasses to prevail. What is the difference The tropical climate is warm and humid while the temperate climate has between tropical and cold winters. temperate grassland climates? What is the yearly temperature range in the grassland? 20°C - 30°C. Many grazing animals such as buffalo, antelope, and zebra live there and are What kinds of animals preyed on by predators such as lions and coyotes. Many small mammals and live in the grassland? birds may also live there. What determined whether an aquatic biome is freshwater or marine? The salinity, which is the amount of salt in the water. What traits help to further classify aquatic biomes? The amount of sunlight and oxygen present. Describe freshwater ecosystems. They include flowing water habitats (rivers, creeks) and standing water habitats (lakes, ponds, wetlands). How much of the earth’s water is freshwater? What life do freshwater ecosystems support? Less than 3%. Of that, half is frozen. Fish, amphibians, crustaceans, plants, and microbes. What distinguishes marine ecosystems from freshwater ecosystems? Marine ecosystems have a high salt content. How much of the earth’s oxygen is supplied by marine ecosystems? Nearly half of it. What are some examples of marine ecosystems? Oceans, seas, coastal inlets, tide pools, and estuaries. Summary A biomes are large geographical areas which have similar ecosystems and climates (temperature and precipitation). Seven major biomes were discussed: tundra, taiga, temperate deciduous forest, rainforest, desert, grassland, and aquatic. These biomes support a great amount of biodiversity in plant and animal life.