The Ecosystem
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Transcript The Ecosystem
2.4 Biomes
Assessment Statements
2.4.1 Define the term biome
2.4.2 Explain the distribution, structure, and relative
productivity of tropical rainforests, deserts, tundra,
and any other biome
2.4.1 Define the term biome
A collection of
ecosystems sharing
similar climatic
conditions.
2.4.2 Explain the distribution, structure, and relative productivity
of tropical rainforests, deserts, tundra, and any other biome
Tropical Rainforest
Temperature: 26 C
Rainfall: Over 2500 mm/yr
Insolation (Light Level):
High
Distribution: Between the
tropics of cancer and
capricorn
Structure: Highly stratified
(Emergent, Canopy,
Understory, Immature,
and Herb layers)
Productivity: High
2.4.2 Explain the distribution, structure, and relative productivity
of tropical rainforests, deserts, tundra, and any other biome
Desert
Temperature: 45 C
Rainfall: Under 250 mm/yr
Insolation (Light Level):
High
Distribution: 30 o N and S
Structure: Little
vegetation, organisms
highly adapted to low
water and fluctuating
temperatures
Productivity: Very low
2.4.2 Explain the distribution, structure, and relative productivity
of tropical rainforests, deserts, tundra, and any other biome
Tundra
Temperature: Low down to
-50 C
Rainfall: Low
Insolation (Light Level): Low
Distribution: High Latitudes
Structure: Plants with
leathery leaves or
underground storage organs,
larger animals with fur
Productivity: Low
2.4.2 Explain the distribution, structure, and relative productivity
of tropical rainforests, deserts, tundra, and any other biome
Temperate forest
Temperature: cold winters,
hot summers
Rainfall: 500-1500 mm/yr
Insolation (Light Level):
varies through year
Distribution: 40 to 60 o N
Structure: Dominated by one
species of tree (evergreen or
deciduous) bigger shrub layer
due to less dense canopy
Productivity: Relatively high
2.4.2 Explain the distribution, structure, and relative productivity
of tropical rainforests, deserts, tundra, and any other biome
Grasslands
Temperature: cold winters, hot
summers, fluctuate wildly if
removed from the sea
Rainfall: 250-500 mm/yr
Insolation (Light Level): varies
through year
Distribution: Almost every
continent 16% of the earth’s
surface
Structure: Diverse grasses, with
a mat of slowly decomposing
vegetation
Productivity: Relatively low