Transcript Everything is Connected

Biomes and Climate
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Climate
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Average weather
conditions of an area
over a long period of
time
Mainly precipitation and
temperatures
3 Climate Zones on
Earth
1. Tropical
2. Temperate
3. Polar
Natural Factors that
affect climate
1. Latitude
(distance from
the equator)
Natural Factors that
affect climate
2. Prevailing
winds in the
Atmosphere
Natural Factors that
affect climate
3. Mountain
formations
(topography)
Natural Factors that
affect climate
4. Large Water
Bodies
Natural Factors that
affect climate
5. Ocean Currents
Biomes
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Region of similar climate
Similar plant/animal life
Tropical Zone
~ The region that surrounds the equator
~ Receive the most solar radiation
~Temperatures are usually hot, except at high
elevations
~ Includes :
Tropical Rain Forests
Tropical Savannas
Tropical Deserts
Temperate Zones
~ The climate zone between the Tropics
and the polar zone
~ Receive less solar energy than latitudes
in the Tropics
~ Temperatures tend to be lower than the Tropics
~Includes:
Temperate Forest
Temperate Grassland
Chaparral
Temperate Desert
Polar Zone
~The North or South Pole and its
surrounding area
~Has the coldest average temperatures
(below freezing all winter and cool
summers)
~Includes:
Tundra
Taiga
Marine Biomes
~Shaped by abiotic factors – temperature,
water depth, amount of sunlight that passes
into the water. The largest of all biomes.
Water covers ¾ of the Earth
~Organisms of all sizes can be found
~Includes
Freshwater
Saltwater
Freshwater and Saltwater
Freshwater includes: ponds, lakes, streams,
rivers, and wetlands
Saltwater includes: oceans, coral reefs,
estuaries
Rain Forest Biome (Tropical)
Temperature: Warm and wet; seasons do not
vary
Precipitation: Lots of rain (more than
200cm/yr)
Soil: Thin and Nutrient Poor
Plants/Animals: greatest number of any
biome; most diverse place on Earth
Savanna (Tropical)
Temperature: usually
very warm
Precipitation: dry
season 4-8 months
followed by short
periods of rain
Soil: nutrient poor (grass fires during the dry season
leave the soils nutrient enriched)
Plants/Animals: tall grasses, trees, and thorny
shrubs, lions, crocodiles and elephants
Africa and South America
Tropical Desert Biome (Tropical)
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Temperature: extremely hot
usually with cooler nights
Precipitation: driest place on
Earth.
Soil: poor in organic matter
which is needed for plant
growth.
Plants/Animals: only those
that have adapted to
live with little water:
snakes, rats, plants that are
able to store water.
Temperate Forest (Temperate)
Temperature: Cool winters; warm summers/mild
Precipitation: regular and plenty of it
Soil: very fertile and organically rich
1. Deciduous forest (temperate)
~Trees lose leaves
~Lots of animal and plant types
2. Coniferous forest (temperate)
~Tall pine trees, small plants
~Lots of animals
Temperate Grassland (Temperate)
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Temperatures vary: Winters are cold;
Summers are hot
Precipitation: seasonal; some regions receive
too little rainfall for trees to grow
Soil: most fertile soils of all biomes
Chaparral
(temperate)
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Temp: Hot, dry
summers; Cool, wet
winters
Moderate
precipitation
Low lying plants
mostly
Rocky/Poor soil
Temperate Desert (temperate)
• Temperature: Tend to be cold deserts
(light snow during the winter)
• Precipitation: less than 25cm yearly
• Soil: poor in organic matter
• These deserts can be hot in the daytime,
but they are often VERY cold at night
Tundra Biome (Polar)
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Temperatures are very cold
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Short summers with almost 24 hrs of light
Long cold winters with almost 24hrs of night
Precipitation is very limited
Soil is frozen most of the year with only
the top layer thawing in the summer
Taiga (Polar)
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Temp: Long cold winters;
Short summers
Precipitation is moderate
Soil: acidic which most
plants cannot grow in.
Majority of the trees are
evergreen.
Microclimates
 The climate of a small
area.
 Alpine Biome is an
example
 Mountain tops
 Above tree line
 All around world—even in
the Tropics!