Transcript BIOMES
TERRESTRIAL BIOMES OF THE WORLD BIOME Earth A region of the __________ characterized by the animals ________ plants and __________ that live there. All parts of the biome have about climate the same ___________ (precipitation & temperature range) Six Major Terrestrial Biomes •Tundra •Taiga •Deciduous Forest •Grassland •Desert •Tropical Forest IDENTIFY THE BIOME Photo #1 Photo #2 Deciduous Forest Taiga Photo #3 Desert Photo #6 Tropical Forest Photo #4 Tundra Grassland Photo #5 Biomes can be categorized differently or more specifically Chaparral Temperate Deciduous Forest Arctic Tundra Alpine Tundra Desert Scrub Coniferous Forest Boreal Forest Savanna How is a Biome a System? A system is a series of parts working together to perform a specific function All the characteristics of each biome are dependent upon each other in order to function effectively ANIMALS PLANTS CLIMATE LAND ADAPTATION a structure or response that helps an organism survive Structural A part of an organism that helps it to survive Fur Size of tail Behavioral An action or response that helps an organism to survive Migration Hibernation ACTIVITY • Categorize the adaptations as either BEHAVIORAL OR STRUCTURAL • Make hypotheses about how the adaptations specifically help an organism to survive “A snow leopard has spots which is a structural adaptation. This adaptation allows it to hide more successfully. Therefore, it can survive longer. Surviving longer allows it to reproduce and create more of its species.” BEHAVIORAL Avoiding bad tasting prey M igr atin g Hunting Dormancy Bi r d calls Nocturnal STRUCTURAL Cactus spines Webbed feet Sharp teeth Thin narrow leaves Long, pointed beak Prehensil e tail BEHAVIORAL OR STRUCTURAL? BEHAVIORAL STRUCTURAL Migrating Sharp teeth Dormancy Thin narrow leaves Nocturnal Prehensile tail Avoiding bad tasting prey Cactus spines Hunting Webbed feet Bird calls Long, pointed beak ADAPTATION TRIVIA Why do animals adapt? What happens if they don’t? **BONUS: describe the two types of adaptations ANSWER They adapt so that they can survive If they don’t, then they will die *structural adaptation is something the organism HAS behavioral adaptation is something the organism DOES Tundra The youngest biome Tundra Locations Some Tundra locations include: • Alaska • Canada • Greenland • Siberia •Finland • Norway •Russia •Sweden Tundra Climate Harsh Winter many months of cold and darkness Summer 6-8 weeks long hours of day light and little/no darkness thin, top layer of the earth thaws and forms puddles Permanently frozen sub-soil permafrost Tundra Animals Animals of the tundra biome must adapt to the cold and harsh conditions Caribou mass migrations search of food thick fur & skin enter frigid rivers hooves wide to support surfaces like mud and snow help the caribou to dig and swim Lemmings Small bodies and short limbs, ears and tail to conserve heat sharp little teeth to gnaw through roots to find food Insects Hatch in ponds/ puddles in the summer black flies deer flies mosquitoes food for many animals and birds Birds Arctic tern Gulls Sandpipers Foxes Snowy Owl Musk Ox migrate Trivia? Why do some animals in the tundra migrate to other areas in the winter? Answer Limited food supply Cold weather To Breed Tundra Plants Grow quickly in the summer Do not last long Few trees Sedges energy stored in the plant's bulbs makes it grow rapidly when the temperature reaches 50ºF and above Woody Shrubs dwarfed because of the extreme cold and winds protected from extreme weather by a cover of dead and living non woody plants not enough water deep in the soil for trees to grow can’t survive the harsh winds Small Grasses Mosses Lichens Heaths have hard evergreen leaves that can withstand strong winds and cold temperatures. Rosette an association of fungi and algae which live together as one organism Lichen Sedge Woody Shrub leaves surround a central bud during winter the outside leaves of the plant die off the central bud is still protected by the remaining vegetation Heath Rosette ORGANISM ADAPTATION BEHAVIORAL HOW DOES IT OR HELP IT STRUCTURAL? SURVIVE? More Tundra Trivia What living things can survive in the Tundra? Answer small plants that grow rapidly insects that reproduce rapidly animals with heavy coats animals that migrate humans mosses, fungi, etc. HUMAN IMPACT one of Earth's three major carbon dioxide sinks a biomass which takes in more carbon dioxide than it releases. global warming is melting the permafrost every year several feet of tundra are lost as the tundra melts, the plant mass decomposes and returns carbon dioxide to the atmosphere. pollution from mining and drilling for oil has polluted the air, lakes and rivers a very fragile environment Difficult for animals to survive Human movement is disturbing feeding, breeding, and denning grounds starvation Alaskan oil pipeline built across a caribou migration route Pesticides used to control the hordes of insects foodchain THE TUNDRA located in the northern most part of the world not a cold and useless wasteland a very fragile environment the plants and animals must adapt to the long, cold winters and the short but abundant summers the smallest stresses can bring about their destruction TUNDRA TRIVIA How have humans impacted the Tundra biome? ANSWERS Global Warming- creates carbon dioxide sinks Drilling for oil- pollutes air, land, water & animals The use of pesticides harms animals Taiga The largest biome Other Names for the Taiga Coniferous Forest Boreal Forest Taiga Locations Some Taiga locations are: Canada Northern Europe Northern Asia Russia Scandinavia Alaska Taiga Climate long cold winters moderate summers “swamp forest” -- Nickname melting snow causes swampy conditions in the early summer Taiga Trivia Why is the taiga nicknamed “swamp forest?” Answer The melting snow causes the ground to be oversaturated with water which leads to swampy (muddy) conditions. Taiga Animals Need to be well adapted cow moose elk deer lemmings mice shrews voles resident animals live in snow tunnels beavers snow shoe hares survive all year red squirrels bears chipmunk lynxes wolves wolverines ermine ptarmigan hermit thrushes cedar waxwings hibernate PREDATORS ~ remain active migrate Taiga Plants CONIFERS produce seeds in cones important link in the food chain Evergreen habit leaves remain green during the winter when temperatures rise plants can begin photosynthesis right away Dark color dark green needles allow more sun light and heat to be absorbed the process of photosynthesis is accelerated Needleleaf trees which have needles instead of leaves Waxy coatings on needles prevents moisture from evaporating in drying winds prevent snow from collecting on them Trees are an important resource lumber Pulp Types of Conifers Evergreen spruce Tamarack fir Pine Aspen Scots pine Fir Spruce Shaded Ground limited sunlight prevents plants from growing few plants survive ~ grow in open area or clearing in the summer, the plants are food for grazing animals ORGANISM ADAPTATION BEHAVIORAL OR STRUCTURAL? HOW DOES IT HELP IT SURVIVE? Work on page 5 (Taiga) And page 16 (Venn Diagram) HUMAN IMPACT Deforestation may soon cause the Taiga’s disappearance Acid rain air pollution from the burning of fossil fuels is the major cause of acid rain does not usually kill trees directly weakens the trees by damaging their leaves, limiting the nutrients available to them Global Warming temperature changes over the next century may occur at rates 15 to 50 times faster than historical averages organisms will have trouble responding to these changes THE TAIGA South of the Tundra All animals and plants have adaptations Trees are an important resource Deforestation needs to be managed more carefully More Trivia What are some of the living conditions of the taiga? Answer long cold winters mountainous moderate summers animals that remain active conifer trees swampy in the early summer Can you… Compare and Contrast the Tundra and the Taiga? See page 16 TAIGA TUNDRA See page 16 TAIGA •Soil is not permanently frozen •The largest biome •Many Conifer Trees TUNDRA •Long, cold winters •Animals/plants with Adaptations • Located in the north •Permanently frozen subsoil •The coldest & youngest biome •Few/no trees Deciduous Forest Deciduous Forest Locations Some Deciduous Forest Locations: South of Taiga Europe North America Eastern Coast Deciduous Forest Climate Named for trees that shed their leaves annually only to be regrown again Moist Four Distinct Seasons Hot summers Cold winters Spring Autumn Deciduous Forest Animals deer squirrels ground hogs chipmunks large birds raccoons skunks Live at different levels depending on: nesting feeding habits protection In winter many animals are less active some hibernate some migrate Deciduous Forest Plants Arranged in Layers • Tree stratum • • • • Small tree or sapling layer • • shrubs like rhododendrons, azaleas, mountain laurels, and huckleberries. Herb layer • • short tree species and young trees Shrub layer • • the tallest layer 60 -100 feet high large oak, maple, beech, chestnut, hickory, elm, basswood, linden, walnut, or sweet gum trees short plants Ground layer • Lichens, mosses Deciduous means to fall off or shed Broad leafed trees are common In spring many flowers bloom Mosses and ferns grow in the shade ORGANISM ADAPTATION BEHAVIORAL HOW DOES IT OR HELP IT STRUCTURAL? SURVIVE? Deciduous Forest Trivia What is special about this biome? Answer We live there! Four Seasons HUMAN IMPACT many of the resources are being depleted heavily populated and industrialized air pollution logging urbanization building new homes an entire animal or plant species could be eliminated DECIDUOUS FOREST We live in this biome Four seasons Named for leaves that shed each season All animals and plants have adaptations Spread awareness to protect this biome Grasslands Grasslands Location The largest grassland biome is located in the interior of North America Southeastern South America Africa (Savanna) Australia New Zealand Grasslands Climate windy partly-dry similar to deciduous forest LESS precipitation Grasslands Animals bison wolves coyotes prairie dogs mice badgers birds Have special teeth or digestive systems to feed on grasses or large canine teeth to prey on other animals Ability to nest among plants may prey on smaller birds and mammals Many animals are colored so that they blend in with the Have legs or grasses allowing them to hide paws that help from predators them live in underground burrows Grasslands Plants dominated with grasses have roots that extend downward for over 9 feet to absorb moisture during dry periods have narrow leaves that lose less water to evaporation wild flowers grow among the grasses brightly colored flowers attract pollinators growing point is underground can survive fire and regrow few trees and shrubs in a grassland less than one tree per acre today, many of the grasses have been plowed over Cereal grains: wheat, oats, corn, barley, rice planted in their place ORGANISM ADAPTATION BEHAVIORAL HOW DOES IT OR HELP IT STRUCTURAL? SURVIVE? HUMAN IMPACT Many crops have been cultivated Poor agriculture practices Crops are not rotated properly all nutrients in the soil are stripped soil turns to dust nothing can grow in it for many years Cattle and livestock over grazed land animals need to compete for food THE GRASSLANDS Interior of North America Very windy conditions Few trees Overgrazing is ruining the land Must rotate crops properly to preserve soil The Desert Desert Locations Largest desert is the Sahara in Africa •Deserts are also located in •North America •Asia •Antarctica •Australia, etc. Desert Climate little or no precipitation less than 10 inches annually wide range in temperatures between day and night hot days cold nights some are just cold Gobi desert Antarctic desert ADAPTATION A structure or a response that helps an organism to survive Desert Animals Usually small in size Tight water-proof skin Burrow Nocturnal Light colored Reptiles Gila monster • Store fat in tail Roadrunners • Extract water from smaller animals Tortoises • • Get water from plants it eats Stores in “cabins” under it’s shell Gemsboks • Large teeth to dig under sand for seeds Addax • Special lining in stomach to store water Kangaroo rat • Powerful hind legs to escape predators Desert Plants not abundant adaptations to survive grow slowly uses less energy store water (succulents) can be used during dry periods thick, leathery leaves Prevents evaporation of water thin, needle-like leaves little water is lost roots are long and shallow absorb water Acacia trees & Ocotillos Shed leaves prevents the loss of moisture from evaporation slows the growth of the plant Creosote bush roots have chemicals to keep other plants from growing near Cacti Joshua tree ORGANISM ADAPTATION BEHAVIORAL HOW DOES IT OR HELP IT STRUCTURAL? SURVIVE? HUMAN IMPACT Off roading in unrestricted areas all over the desert leave tracks on the soil scar the land for decades kill off vegetation harms the animal population THE DESERT Very little precipitation Organisms have unique adaptations Off-road vehicles are destructive Tropical Forest Tropical Forest Locations Some Tropical Forest locations are: •Near the equator •South America •Central America •Southeast Asia •Australia Tropical Forest Climate Does not vary much Humid Little change in temperature Receives more rain than any other biome Have unique adaptations Tropical Forest Animals Camouflage Protective Resemblance Look like other organisms Leafhopper thorns Walking sticks sticks Poison display bright colors to warn predators they are deadly when eaten poison arrow frog bright red, yellow, or blue colored skin Heliconid butterflies brightly colored wings Many animals live in the treetops Sloths Sun bears Giant squirrels Lemurs Tropical porcupines Spider monkeys Pangolins Sifakas Tropical Forest Plants Very abundant over 1000 kinds Trees have broad green leaves stay green all year tall trees form a “roof” keep out sunlight few plants grow on the forest floor Strange and Beautiful Vines grow up trees towards the sunlight Tropical Forest Plants Amazing Adaptations Slick outer coating so rain slides off the leaf Drip tips help guide raindrops off of the plant Tannins make plants hard to digest Mimicry make themselves look like other trees Shed bark to get rid of epiphytes ORGANISM ADAPTATION BEHAVIORAL HOW DOES IT OR HELP IT STRUCTURAL? SURVIVE? Tropical Forest Layers Rainforest Strata (Layers) EMERGENTS Giant trees Many birds and insects CANOPY Upper parts of the trees Full of life: insects, birds, reptiles, mammals UNDERSTORY A dark, cool environment under the leaves, over the ground FOREST FLOOR Teeming with animal life, especially insects Largest animals in the rainforest TF Trivia Q: Scientists divide the rain forest into zones based on the living environment. What is the technical name for these zones? A: Strata Tropical Forest Trivia Q: Name two rainforest strata that receive the most sunlight. A: 1. Emergent 2. Canopy HUMAN IMPACT Deforestation Slash and burn farming Clearing land for industrial use or cattle ranching TROPICAL FOREST Home to many exotic plants and animals Located along the equator Four Layers Deforestation is a problem Attention to this exploitation will help to alleviate the problem TRIVIA List at least 4 organisms and their adaptations ANSWERS BIOME ORGANISM ADAPTATION Write down what you learned about the BIOMES of the WORLD I LEARNED… BIOME Tundra Taiga Deciduous Forest Grasslands Desert Tropical Forest FACT Conservation and Preservation of Biomes Because we share the world with many other species of plants and animals, we must consider the consequences of our actions. Over the past several decades, increasing human activity has rapidly destroyed or polluted many ecological habitats throughout the world. It is important to preserve all types of biomes as each houses many unique forms of life. However, the continued heavy exploitation of certain biomes, such as the forest, freshwater, and marine, may have more severe implications. http://www.ucmp.berkeley.edu/exhibits/biomes/index.php WHAT CAN YOU DO TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE? We can help to educate people about the consequences of their actions and the impact it has on our world biomes. We can all gain a better understanding of how to preserve the Earth's natural biomes The areas that have been destroyed will never go back to how they once were, however conservation and awareness will help keep them from getting worse. RESOURCES • Information • http://www.teachersfirst.com • http://www.teachersdomain.org • http://passporttoknowledge.com • Images • http://search.live.com/images