Transcript Grassland Temperate Forest Rain Forest

Terrestrial Ecosystems
Grassland
Temperate Forest
Rain Forest
Terrestrial Ecosystems
Learning Objectives
• Describe the conditions of each terrestrial biome
• Explain plant and animal adaptations to each terrestrial
biome
• Compare and contrast plant and animal adaptations across
the terrestrial biomes
Terrestrial Biomes
Grassland
• Grassland biome, or prairie, is in middle latitudes in north
and south hemispheres
– Cold winters
– Hot, rainy summers
– Occasional droughts can last
for several years
– Tallgrass prairies are humid and wet
– Shortgrass prairies are dry with colder winters
Grassland
• Grassland plants:
– Sparse trees and shrubs along
streams and rivers
– Predominantly grasses and
wildflowers
• Adaptations of grassland plants:
–
–
–
–
Underground storage structures to survive after a fire
Growth points below soil surface to survive drought and fire
Long root systems
Go dormant to survive
cold winters
Grassland
• Grassland herbivores:
– Grass-eaters like deer
and rabbits
– Grass-seed eaters like
voles and mice
• Grassland predators:
– Birds of prey
– Foxes, weasels, coyotes,
and snakes
• Adaptations of
grassland animals:
– Cryptic coloration allows
predators and prey to
blend in
– Burrowing to protect
from predators and cold
winters
Grassland
• Grassland insects use forelimbs to burrow into ground
• Grassland is monarch butterfly habitat
– Larvae eat leaves and adults eat nectar
– Central Texas is monarch migration pathway
• Birds migrate to and from grasslands yearly
– Ex) Bobolink nests in northern grasslands and migrates to
southern grasslands during winter
Temperate Forest
• Temperate forest biome is between 30°and 55°north
and south latitudes
– Four distinct seasons
– Plentiful precipitation
– Average temperature is 10°C
Temperate Forest
• Temperate forest plants grow in five zones
– Forest canopy zone composed of tall trees
– Small-tree zone composed
of young and short trees
– Shrub zone
– Herb zone
– Ground zone composed of lichens and mosses
Temperate Forest
• Adaptations of temperate forest plants:
– Broad leaves to absorb as
much sunlight as possible
– Trees go dormant during
winter to minimize water loss
• Sealed off leaves change colors
and drop
– Plants in lower zones start growing early in spring to maximize
new growth before larger trees block sunlight
Temperate Forests
• Temperate forest animals use cryptic
coloration to blend in
• Adaptations to survive cold winters:
– Hibernate
– Gather food in fall and burrow into
trees or the ground until spring
– Birds migrate to warmer climates
– Survive on nuts, acorns, and bark
– Herding to preserve body heat
Rain Forest
• Rain forest biome is within 10°north and south of the
equator
– Warm and wet throughout
the year
– High precipitation causes
infertile soil
– Mycorrhiza – mutualistic relationship in which fungi inhabit plant
roots
• Fungi trap water and minerals for plant
• Plant provides food for fungi
Rain Forest
• Rain forest trees can grow to be 80 m tall
– Trees are diverse and grow close together
• Lianas – woody vines rooted in the ground but climb trees
toward sunlight
• Epiphytes – plants that
grow on trees in order to
reach sunlight
Rain Forest
• Adaptations of rain forest plants:
– Buttresses at the base of tall
trees for stability
– Small, pointed leaves on tall
trees to minimize water loss
and sun damage
– Large leaves on understory
plants to absorb sunlight
– Grooves and drip spouts for rain runoff
– Oiling coating for rain runoff
– Lianas have hooks to help hold onto trees
Rain Forest
• Largest group of rain forest animals is insects
• Adaptations of rain forest animals:
– Arboreal – live in trees
– Prehensile tails and strong limbs to
swing between trees
– Long claws to dig bugs out of trees
– Nocturnal
– Birds have long, strong beaks to release body heat, crush food,
and climb trees
– Strong feet to grasp tree limbs
Rain Forest
• Functions of bright colors in the rain forest:
– Cryptic coloration to blend in with plants and flowers
– Allow male birds to attract females
– Used by poisonous animals as a
warning to predators
– Used to surprise and escape from
predators
Terrestrial Biomes
Biome
Conditions
Grasslands Drought
Frequent fires
Rainy, hot summers
Cold winters
Temperate Four distinct seasons
forest
Hot summers
Cold winters
Plentiful precipitation
Plant adaptations
Underground storage structures
Growth points below soil surface
Long roots
Dormancy
Dormancy
Lose leaves in winter
Broad leaves
Rain forest Warm
Wet
Constant temperature
and rainfall
Buttresses
Dry, pointed leaves in top of
canopy
Grooved leaves
Oily coating
Large leaves
Upward-growing vines
Mycorrhizae
Animal adaptations
Cryptic coloration
Burrowing
Migration
Cryptic coloration
Hibernation
Migration
Burrowing
Food storage
Long claws
Strong legs and arms
Prehensile tails
Bright colors
Nocturnal
Arboreal
Large beaks