Transcript Plant Adaptations

World Biomes
Biomes
A biome is a region of the biosphere with a
particular climate and specific characteristics.
A specific biome has the same type of
dominant communities (similar wildlife).
IMPORTANT
• In a biome, the number, growth,
and survival of organisms depend
on biotic & abiotic factors such as
soil composition, temperature,
water, etc.
• There are SIX main land biomes.
They are known as “Terrestrial”
Tropical
Rainforest
Earth's most complex
land biome
Location: Found near equator…
Temperature: little variation in
temperatures. Usually ranges
from 68-93 degrees farenheit.
No distinct seasonal changes.
http://www.cotf.edu/ete/modules/msese/earthsysflr/
Tropical
Rainforest
Precipitation:
Very humid, and often receives
more than 100 inches of rain
per year.
http://www.cotf.edu/ete/modules/msese/earthsysflr/
Tropical Rainforest
Abiotic factors
 both hot and moist;
 ideal for bacteria and other
microorganisms; they quickly
decompose matter on the
forest floor allowing nutrients to
be recycled.
 Soil in the tropical rainforests is
very nutrient poor.
 Shallow topsoil
 High in carbon and other fossil
fuels as well as mercury and
gold.
http://www.cotf.edu/ete/modules/msese/earthsysfl
Bougainvillea
Tropical Rainforest
Plant adaptations
* drip tips and waxy surfaces
allow water to run off, to
discourage growth of bacteria
and fungi
* prop and stilt roots help hold
up plants in the shallow soil
* some plants climb on others to
reach the sunlight
* plants have shallow roots to
help capture nutrients from the
top level of soil.
Bangul Bamboo
Amazing
diversity of
animals and
wildlife.
Poison
frog
lemur
capybara
toucan
anteater
butterfly
Aye-aye
Tropical
Rainforest
Animal
Adaptations
Toucans have adapted by
developing a long, large bill.
This adaptation allows this
bird to reach fruit on
branches that are too small
to support the bird's weight.
The bill also is used to cut
the fruit from the tree.
The sloth uses a
behavioral adaptation
and camouflage to
survive in the rainforest. It
moves very, very slowly
and spends most of its
time hanging upside
down from trees. Bluegreen algae grows on its
fur giving the sloth a
greenish color and
making it more difficult for
predators to spot.
http://www.blueplanetbiomes.org/rnfrst_animal_page.htm
Threats to the Tropical
Rainforest
 Humans strip the rainforests
for uses including logging and
cattle ranching.
 In addition to the plants and
animals that are displaced by
this destruction, entire
civilizations of people are
also without a home.
 You can help by promoting
sustainable use of the
rainforests’ products
http://www.blueplanetbiomes.org/rnfrst_animal_page.htm
Rainforest Video
http://www.runet.edu/~swoodwar/CLASSES/GEOG235/biomes/tbdf/tbdf.html
Temperate Deciduous Forests
Location:Deciduous forests can be found in the
eastern half of North America, and the middle of
Europe, as well as parts of Asia.
Much of the human population (including us!) lives in this
biome
Temperate Deciduous Forests
Abiotic Factors
• Temperature: average temperature in temperate deciduous
forests is 50°F
•
Seasonal Temp:Summers are mild, and average about
70°F (21°C), while winter temperatures are often well below
freezing.
Temperate Deciduous Forests
Abiotic Factors
 Precipitation: 30–100 in/yr in all forms (snow, rain, hail,
fog, etc.)
 Soils: Deep soil layers, rich in nutrients
 Rocks: Limestone/Sandstone
Plants of Deciduous Forests
White Oak
Birch tree
Maple
Dogwood
Lady Fern
Temperate Deciduous forest
Plant adaptations
Plants in the Temperate
deciduous forests adjust their
growth and activity to the seasons
• thin, broad, light-weight leaves.
of the year.
This type of leaf structure easily
captures the sunlight
Geulder Rose
• Many trees leaves change color
in different seasons, and lose
their leaves in the winter. This
way the tree can focus on
feeding its trunk only.
Rabbit
Squirrel
White-tail deer
Fox
Temperate Deciduous
Forest
Animal Adaptations
 Lose Winter Coat
 Migration and hibernation
are two adaptations used by
the animals in this biome
 The nuts and seeds that are
plentiful during the summer
are gathered by squirrels,
chipmunks, and some jays,
and are stored in the hollows
of trees for use during the
winter months
http://www.blueplanetbiomes.org/deciduous_animal_page.htm
Threats to Temperate Deciduous
Forests
Many forests are
cleared to
provide housing
for humans.
Burning of fossil
fuels is polluting
the environment
Mining
http://www.runet.edu/~swoodwar/CLASSES/GEOG235/biomes/tbdf/tbdf.html
Taiga
aka Northern Coniferous Forest
or Boreal Forest
The Taiga biome stretches across a large
portion of Canada, Europe and Asia.
TAIGA/CONIFEROUS FOREST
• Temperature: For
half the year the
average temperature
is below freezing; can
reach a high of 70ºF
during the summer
• Seasonal: Long
winters and long
summers (short
spring and autumn).
Taiga Temperatures
Low
High
Winter
-65 F
30 F
Summer
20 F
70 F
TAIGA/CONIFEROUS FOREST
• Precipitation: 12 - 33 inches, Although the cold
winters have some snowfall, most of the
precipitation comes during the warm, humid
summer months.
• Soils, Rocks, Minerals: soil is thin and lacking in
nutrients
• most common minerals that they mine are
metallic minerals like lead, gold, nickel, copper,
and zinc.
• Very short growing season
Taiga Plants
Very low diversity.
Taiga trees tend to be
conifers. Conifers, many of
which are evergreen,
produce cones in late winter
or early fall. If a cone
becomes fertilized, it grows
bigger. Only then do the
seeds inside develop. Once
the seeds ripen, the cone
dries up and the seed falls
out.
http://www.uwsp.edu/geo/faculty/ritter/geog101/modules/
ecosystems_biomes/biomes_northern_forest.html
Here there are many coniferous
trees such as spruce and fir
Taiga Plant adaptations
Fireweed
 Branches droop downward, which
helps shed excess snow.
 Roots long to anchor trees
 Needles lose less water and shed
snow more easily than broad leaves.
 Low sunlight and poor soil keeps
many plants from growing on forest
floor
Balsam Fir
moose
Red fox
Bald eagle
Snowshoe
hare
Black
bear
Bobcat
Moose
Animal
Adaptations of
the Taiga
 Adapt for cold winters
 Burrow, hibernate, warm
coat, insulation, etc.
 The ermine, a small
mammal, is a good example
of this adaptation. Its dark
brown summer coat changes
to white in the winter.
Threats to the Taiga
Mining operations can
irreparably damage
this fragile
ecosystem.
Pollution left behind
can also put animals
and plants at risk.
Taiga Video
Savannas (Grasslands)
Contain the greatest number of grazing animals on Earth.
Location: Found in the tropics…near equator , much of Africa and
Australia.
h
Tropical Savanna
Abiotic Factors
Temperature: The savanna climate has a temperature range of 68° to 86° F.
Dry and windy.
Seasonal: Whether winter or summer, the temperature does not change a lot.
Precipitation: There is an annual precipitation of 10 to 15 inches. From
December to February hardly any rain falls at all.
Tropical Savanna
Abiotic Factors
Other Environmental Factors (Soil, rocks, minerals):
Relatively flat area with varied soil types. Some areas are much
more fertile than others.
Rich in minerals: Copper, lead, zinc, silver, nickel, tin, gold, and
uranium. Other mineral resources include: diamonds, limestone and
silica as well as coal and petroleum.
FIRES ARE VERY COMMON IN THIS BIOME DUE TO THE LACK OF
RAINFALL
Plant life:
Mostly grasses
and wildflowers
Tropical Savanna
Plant
Adaptations
Whistling
Thorn
 Deep spreading root systems often
mat together thickly making sure that
even in drought, the plants are able to
get water.
Umbrella Thorn Acacia
 Many plants have thorns and sharp
leaves to protect against predation.
 During a fire, the root portions survive
to sprout again
 Some prairie trees have thick bark to
resist fire
Kangaroos Paws
Baobab
http://www.blueplanetbiomes.org/savanna_plant_page.htm
Wildabeast
zebra
giraffe
ANIMAL ADAPTATIONS:
* camouflage, burrowing, many animals are nocturnal
* Many animals travel in herds so that they are not singled out and attacked
* Many animals like the cheetah are equipped with speed as well. This allows them to catch
prey more easily, as well as escape predation.

Threats to the Tropical
Savanna
Invasive species
 Fire is prevalent
 The elephant is hunted for
the ivory in their tusks.
 Many endangered species
Elephant
 Because of their low elevation,
some savannas are threatened
by minor rises in sea level
associated with global climate
change
Koala
http://www.blueplanetbiomes.org/savanna_animal_page.htm
Savanna Biome Video
Lion King Clip
Desert
Ecosystems
 Location: Hot deserts--- North Africa and the deserts of the southwestern U.S., Mexico, and
Australia
 Cold deserts--- occur in the basin and range area of Utah and Nevada and in parts of western
Asia.
Desert Abiotic
factors
 Average Temp: 25 degrees at
night, 100 degrees during the
day.
 Seasonal: Very little
differences between seasons
 Precipitation: <8 in/yr. of
rain
While there are many types of
deserts, they all share one
characteristic: They are the
driest places on Earth!
ABIOTIC FACTORS
 Soil: Little to no topsoil due to high winds.
 Minerals: Minerals not deep in soil.
 Too dry for decay
Cactus and other
succulents grow
here.
Wide variety
Barrel Cactus
Desert Plant
Adaptations:
 Spines for protection
 Succulent plants
store water in fleshy
leaves, stems or
roots
 Thick, waxy cuticle
 Shallow, broad roots

Ocotollio
Joshua Tree
http://www.blueplanetbiomes.org/desert_plant_page.htm
Kangaroo
Coyote
Scorpion
geck
Roadrunne
r
Armadillo Lizard
DESERT ANIMAL
ADAPTATIONS
* Avoiding Heat: Many animals
only come out early morning
or at night when it is cooler.
They burrow during the day.
Bob Cat
* Long appendages and
enormous ears that cool them
off
* Lighter coloration, which
reflects heat and acts as
camouflage in desert
surroundings
Javelina
* Living in sealed underground
dens to recycle moisture from
http://www.blueplanetbiomes.org/world_biomes.htm
Threats to the Desert
Residential development
Off road recreational
activities destroy habitat
for plants and animals.
Some plants are removed by
collectors, endangering the
population.
Sonoran Desert
Dry Desert
Tundra
Location:
Found
north of
the Arctic
Circle
http://www.runet.edu/~swoodwar/CLASSES/GEOG235/biomes/tundra/tundra.html
Tundra Abiotic Factors
 Average annual temperature is around 50
degrees
 Seasonal Temperatures: Winter is usually
around -30 degrees, but summer can get up to
55 degrees which allows for some life to survive
http://www.cotf.edu/ete/modules/msese/earthsysflr/taiga.html
TUNDRA
 Precipitation: <25 in/year
 Other environmental factors:
 Permafrost layer (hard layer of frost at the
surface of the soil)
 Short growing season
 Relatively rocky
Lichen
s
Mosses
Plants do not
grow very tall
here
Shrubs
Wildflowers
Perennials
Woody shrubs
Heaths
Examples of Tundra Plants
http://www.runet.edu/~swoodwar/CLASSES/GEOG235/biomes/tundra/tundra.html
Tundra Plant Adaptations
Tundra plants can grow at temperatures
(27ºF to 36ºF) which is cooler than any
other plant in the world
Small and low growing plants because o
the lack of nutrients found in the soil.
Also being close to the dark, warmth,
absorbent soil helps to keep plants from
freezing.
Plants are also dark and hairy. The
darkness of their flesh absorbs solar heat
and the hair helps to trap the heat and
keep it close to the surface of the plant
Some plants also grow in clumps in
order to break harsh winds and protect
each other from the cold.
Bear
Caribo
u
Snow owl
Fox
Penguin
Polar
Bears
Tundra Animal
Adaptations
Blubber Lab
• thick, insulating cover of feathers or fur.
• color changing feathers or fur: brown in summer, and white in winter.
• thick fat layer gained quickly during spring in order to have continual energy and warmth
during winter months.
• In the spring, since food is still scarce, bears may dig up roots or even eat seaweed found
along water sides. In the summer the brown bear's diet is more complete. They will hunt
for salmon and eat berries.
Threats to the Tundra
Tufted Saxifrage
One of the
most
fragile
biomes on
the planet
Oil drilling is
proposed in
Alaska and
other areas!
Polar Bear
The tundra is
slow to
recover from
damage.
Tundra Video
Tundra BrainPop
•
•
•
•
•
Freshwater Ecosystems
Very low salinity
Ponds, lakes, marshes, swamps, bogs, rivers
Lake are the deepest of fresh water systems
Lakes are fed by underground aquifer or stream
Ponds are fed by rainfall and may be seasonal
http://mbgnet.mobot.org/fresh/
Ponds
Microscopic Animals
and Algae
•
•
•
•
Sun can reach bottom
Fed by rainfall
May be seasonal
Algae and plants
throughout
Lakes and ponds—Abiotic Factors
Littoral
zone:
nutrient rich
area found
close to shore
www.dnr.wi.gov
Benthic
zone:
bottom of the
lake where no
sunlight can
reach.
www.uwsp.edu
Lakes and ponds:
Plants and Animals
Adaptations
• Plants are floating
algae and plants
along shoreline
• Animals live in or
near water and use
the water as a
source of food, to
escape danger, or
to cool off
Threats to lakes and ponds
www.aquaticbiomes.gov
All water
systems
are being
polluted
and
degraded
by human
impact
Marsh
http://mbgnet.mobot.org/fresh/wetlands/
Uses:
 Tons of
animal/plant
homes
 Everglades
of Florida
Types: Brackish and
freshwater
Marsh—Plant
adaptations
• Very shallow with
land occasionally
exposed
• Saturated soil
• Low oxygen in water
and soil
• Emergent plants
Heron
http://www.blueplanetbiomes.org/world_biomes.htm
Swamp/Bogs
Location: Found on flat, poorly
drained land, often near streams
Swamps/Bogs Abiotic
factors
Land soaked because of poor drainage
Decay is slow - Soil is acidic
Swamps
Large trees/shrubs
Adapted to muddy soils
Bogs - moss is
dominant
http://mbgnet.mobot.org/fresh/wetlands/
Threats to Wetlands
www.kathimitchell.com
Previous backfilling
and clearing for
farmland or
development has
been a concern.
Hunting of alligators
http://www.ucmp.berkeley.edu/glossary/gloss5/bi
ome/aquatic.html
At headwaters,
Rivers
usually cold
and highly
oxygenated.
As it flows, it
will broaden
out, warm up
and this
completely
changes the
life you’ll find!
The characteristics of a river or stream change during the
journey from the source to the mouth. The temperature is
cooler at the source than it is at the mouth. The water is also
clearer, has higher oxygen levels, and freshwater fish such
as trout and heterotrophs can be found there. Towards the
middle part of the stream/river, the width increases, as does
species diversity — numerous aquatic green plants and
algae can be found. Toward the mouth of the river/stream,
the water becomes murky from all the sediments that it has
picked up upstream, decreasing the amount of light that can
penetrate through the water. Since there is less light, there is
less diversity of flora, and because of the lower oxygen
levels, fish that require less oxygen, such as catfish and
carp, can be found.
River: Plant and Animal
Adaptations
www.3d-screensaverdownloads.com
www.cs.dartmouth.edu
Will vary based
on where in
the river they
are…at the
headwaters,
organisms
need to hang
on!
Threats to Rivers
Dams alter the
Industry uses water
flow of the
to dispose of waste
water
products
Runoff from homes
and other places
causes changes in
acidity, pollution,
etc.
www.nwk.usace.army.mil
Estuaries
http://mbgnet.mobot.org/salt/sandy/
• Fresh and salt water
meet
Plant and Animal Adaptations of
Estuaries
Very productive
biome because
it receives lots
of light and
nutrients
Manatee and
goose
Often used as
nursery for
young
www.lookoutnow.com & www.visualparadox.com
Threats to Estuaries
 Many ports are found on
estuaries—pollution
 Human population
pers-erf.org
www.davenewbould.co.uk
Freshwater Biomes
Aquatic Biomes
Saltwater Biomes
Marine biomes have much less
temperature change than the
terrestrial biomes.
Coral Reefs
•
•
•
•
Close to equator
Consistent water temperature
Shallow water
Low in Nutrients
Animal adaptations of
the Coral Reef
Plentiful
amounts of
zooplankton
and
phytoplankton
• Breeding area for
many fish
• Many fish are
camouflaged within
the colorful coral
Threats to the Coral Reefs
Temperature is important,
too hot or too cold and
the animals can’t live
there to create limestone
Human intrusion (scuba diving)
is damaging if you
touch/step on the reef
Pollution is also a concern.
www.calacademy.org
Oceans
http://mbgnet.mobot.org/salt/sandy/
Ocean Abiotic factors
Temperature range
depending on
location.
Life in the ocean is
very diverse.
Covers nearly
¾ of the
Earth’s
surface.
http://www.worldbiomes.com/bio
mes_aquatic.htm
Ocean Plant adaptations
Plants can anchor on rocks or the ocean
floor. Some plants, such as kelp are able to
move freely. Plants are made to survive in
high salt content.
http://www.calstatela.edu/faculty/eviau/edit557/oceans/norma/onfrm.htm
Ocean Animal Adaptations
Hammerhead
Fish and other organisms that
live underwater can take
their oxygen from the
water, either through their
gills or their skin.
Many ocean animals are coldblooded (ectothermic) and
their internal body temperature
is the same as their
surrounding environment.
Lion fish
* lungs and rib cages collapse
when diving to deep depths.
http://www.kidzworld.com/site/p1951.htm
Threats to
the Oceans
While the
oceans are
vast, they
are
becoming
more
polluted
Overfishing
and some
fishing
methods are
destroying
fishing
grounds.
Saltwater Biome
Biomes