Transcript Biomes Introduction PPT

Biomes of the World
Biomes
Two types
Terrestrial
Tundra
Desert
Rainforest
Are determined by
Aquatic
Freshwater
Climate
Marine
which determines
the local
Plant
community
Grassland
Deciduous
Forest
which determines
the local
Taiga
Animal
community
Biomes and climate
• Climate depends
on many factors:
– latitude,
– precipitation,
– elevation,
– topography, and
– distance from large
bodies of water.
Biomes and climate
• Scientists divide the planet into climate regions
called biomes.
• Earth has six main land biomes: deserts,
grasslands/Savanna, temperate deciduous
forests, rainforests, taiga/coniferous forest,
and tundras.
• 2 main Aquatic Biomes: Marine and
Freshwater
• Each biome has a unique set of plants and
animals that thrive in its climate.
Biomes and climate
• Each biome has a unique set of plants
and animals that thrive in its climate.
• The Serengeti is home to thousands of
predators species and 1.6 million herbivores.
Biomes and climate
• Humidity is related to
plant and animal
diversity.
• From the poles to the
equator, humidity and
the diversity of plants
and animal increases.
Plants and animals in biomes
• A biome consists of plant and
animal communities.
• The plants and animals in a
community survive in a
shared environment.
• They have adaptations that
make them a successful
specie in the biome.
Tundra
• High northern latitudes
• Not much rain
• Cold harsh winters and short cold
summer
• Permafrost-frozen soil
• Main plants : mosses short grasses—
no trees
• Animals—polar bears, wolves, hares
Taiga/Coniferous Forest
• Mid to high latitudes
• Cold winters/cool summers
• About 20 inches of rain
• Thin poor soil
• Plants—conifers(pines etc)
• Animals—lynx, reptiles, birds, rodents
Prairie Grasslands
• Mid latitudes
• 10-30 inches of rain
• Cool Winters/hot summer
• Plants- long grasses, scattered small
shrubs and trees
• Animals: large herbivores buffalo,
insects, prairie dogs
Deciduous Forest
• Mid latitudes
• 30-50 inches of rain
• 4 Seasons
• Very rich topsoil
• Plants– trees that lose leaves—oak,
maple
• Animals—wolves, deer, small
mammals, reptiles
Desert
• Mid latitudes
• Less than 10 inches of rain
• Generally hot days and cool nights
• Poor soil
• Plants: cacti, small shrubs
• Animals: snakes, reptiles, camels, birds
Savanna
• Mid latitudes/ Africa
• Wet and Dry season
• 10-30 inches of rain
• Plants—long grasses and sparse trees
near water holes
• Animals: Elephants, Lions, and Zebras
Tropical Rainforest
• Near equator
• Hot year round
• 89-100inches of rain
• Poor soil
• Greatest diversity of animals and plants
• Plants: orchids, ferns large trees
• Animals: elephants, monkeys, snakes,
frogs, parrots