Transcript File
Biomes & Succession • Biome - a certain physical environment that has a set of plants and animals that is characteristic of that environment • Terrestrial biomes (Biomes found on land) • Aquatic biomes (Biomes found in water) Terrestrial Biomes!!! Tundra Biome • Cold, high winds, short growing season • Layer of subsoil that always remains frozen (permafrost) • A few centimeters during the summer thaws, this gives plants a chance to grow, so plants must grow quickly during the summer in the tundra (plants are small) • When the ground freezes the roots are crushed and the plant dies • Animals have to have thick fur and large stores of fat for keeping warm • cold-blooded reptiles or amphibians can’t live in the tundra since they are ectothermic and it stays too cold. • Ex food chain: grass rodents owls Coniferous Forest (Taiga) Biome • Cool summers and cold winters (sometimes harsh winters) • More hospitable to plants (redwoods, firs, spruces, hemlocks), plenty of rain – extra rain and plants means extra animals • animals in the Taiga have insulation with heavy fur and/or fat because it still gets cold in the winters – some animals in this biome hibernate during the winters • Ex food chain: trees beaver bobcat Deciduous (Temperate) Forest Biome • The state of Mississippi and most of the eastern US • Trees: some conifers, but many deciduous trees – Deciduous trees - trees that shed their leaves in the winter – many trees because of abundant rainfall • Forest floor covered in humus: decaying organic matter that makes the soil fertile • Four distinct seasons: warm summers, cool winters, spring, and fall • Many plants mean many animals – ex: deer, bears raccoons, turkeys, squirrels • Ex: food chain: grass insect ant beetle larva skunk Grassland Biome • Makes up the largest part of the US including the middle part of the country over to the west coast • Contains fertile soil, moderate precipitation, cold winters, and hot summers • covered by grasses that are resistant to drought, cold, and fire (which sweep through occasionally) • Do not receive enough precipitation to support trees – Ex of animals: insects, reptiles, birds, herbivores (buffalo, antelope, prairie dogs), and predators • Ex food chain: grass prairie dog coyote Chaparral Biome (shrubland) • Part of southern California • hot, dry summers and mild, cool, rainy winters • woody shrubs with leathery leaves or needles – Example animals: insects, spiders, lizards, snakes, chipmunks • ex food chain: bitter cherry tree quail grey fox moutain coyote Desert Biome • Compared to the tundra because of the lack of precipitation (less than 25cm for both of them) and biodiversity • Many deserts are cold during the night and hot during the day • Organisms have to be adapted to dry conditions and extremes and temperature changes • Plants: • cacti or succulents which can store water • scarce plant life (non-fertile soil) • deep roots to absorb nutrients and water from the soil • Ex of Animals: bobcats, mountain lions, owl, hawks, antelope, sheep, and rats, snakes, lizards • Ex food chain: cactus kangaroo rat desert fox rattlesnake Savanna Biome • Grasses and small clusters of trees and shrubs • Usually warm and a seasonal rainfall which has thunderstorms and lightening – Lightening usually starts wildfires • Herbivores live here ex: antelope, zebra, giraffe, Insects especially termites, birds, ostriches, storks, eagles • carnivores: lions, leopards, jackals, hyenas • found in Africa, South America, Middle East and Australia • Ex food chain: grass zebra leopard Tropical Rain Forest Biome • More species than all the other biomes combined – the most biodiverse terrestrial biome • located in regions near the equator – temperatures are warm year- round – receives a lot of rain • many types of plants and animals • Canopy: 210 feet high; – below the canopy is a place for shade-loving plants like ferns, orchids, and bromeliads, insects like butterflies, ants, beetles, fish like the piranha, retiles like the boa constrictors amphibians like the poison arrow frogs; birds like parakeets, parrots; herbivores like the sloth; and other animals like monkeys, anteaters, and jaguars • Ex food chain: algae aquatic insect pirahna anaconda