Scott Anderson, Rebecca Dombrowski and Michael West

Scott Anderson, Rebecca Dombrowski and Michael

West

Scott Anderson, Rebecca Dombrowski and Michael

West

Coastal and Southern Alaska

Coastal and Southern Alaska

Monday July 3rdMonday July 3rd Climate

Precipitation Weather Maritime Affects Winds/Pressure Systems

Ecosystem Disturbances Succession Limiting Factors Biosphere

Specific Plants Land Activities

Fauna

Climate Precipitation Weather Maritime Affects Winds/Pressure Systems

Ecosystem Disturbances Succession Limiting Factors Biosphere

Specific Plants Land Activities

Fauna

PrecipitationPrecipitationAverage annual precipitation

ranges from 21 to 78 in.Fall/Winter MonthsKodiak: 5 in. in summer 7 in. in

winter

Average annual precipitation ranges from 21 to 78 in.

Fall/Winter MonthsKodiak: 5 in. in summer 7 in. in

winter

Weather and HazardsWeather and Hazards

ModerateAvg. 30’s in Winter 50’s in

SummerTemps can range into the -20’s

ModerateAvg. 30’s in Winter 50’s in

SummerTemps can range into the -20’s

InsolationInsolation

Tilt 18-6 hrs.Albedo

Tilt 18-6 hrs.Albedo

Pressure Systems and Winds

Pressure Systems and Winds

Aleutian Low, North Pacific High

High winds, sometimes up to 50 mph in winter

Aleutian Low, North Pacific High

High winds, sometimes up to 50 mph in winter

Disturbances: Oil SpillsDisturbances: Oil Spills

Disturbances: Artic Fox

Disturbances: Artic Fox

Secondary SuccessionSecondary Succession

Primary SuccessionPrimary Succession

Recovery from FoxRecovery from Fox

Changes seen in past 30 years as fox are removed from the islands• Some bird populations have

stabilized, while others face extinction

Stability

Changes seen in past 30 years as fox are removed from the islands• Some bird populations have

stabilized, while others face extinction

Stability

Fox FreeFox Free

Limiting FactorsLimiting Factors

InsolationHigh Winds and Intense Storms

• Islands are Devoid of Trees Introduced Species

InsolationHigh Winds and Intense Storms

• Islands are Devoid of Trees Introduced Species

Disturbance RegimesDisturbance Regimes

Volcanic ActivityEarthquakesTsunamisLandslidesConstant High winds and

Storms

Volcanic ActivityEarthquakesTsunamisLandslidesConstant High winds and

Storms

Volcanic ActivityVolcanic Activity

Ghost ForestGhost Forest

Tundra and Temperate Rainforest

Tundra and Temperate Rainforest

Land ActivitiesLand Activities

Hikes Flora FaunaGlaciersVolcanoes

Hikes Flora FaunaGlaciersVolcanoes

BiosphereBiosphere Sufficient sunlight penetrates the canopy to support

a well-developed under story composed of shrubs, a layer of herbaceous plants, and then often a ground cover of mosses and ferns. This stratification beneath the canopy provides a numerous habitats for a variety of insects and birds. The deciduous forest also contains many members of the rodent family, which serve as a food source for bobcats, wolves, and foxes. This area also is a home for deer and black bears. Winters are not as cold as in the taiga, so many amphibian and reptiles are able to survive.

Scientists say that there is more biomass in this biome than in any other biome on earth. There may be 500 tons of living things per acre here! That translates down to about 206 pounds per square yard, about the same as one good sized human adult per square yard.

Sufficient sunlight penetrates the canopy to support a well-developed under story composed of shrubs, a layer of herbaceous plants, and then often a ground cover of mosses and ferns. This stratification beneath the canopy provides a numerous habitats for a variety of insects and birds. The deciduous forest also contains many members of the rodent family, which serve as a food source for bobcats, wolves, and foxes. This area also is a home for deer and black bears. Winters are not as cold as in the taiga, so many amphibian and reptiles are able to survive.

Scientists say that there is more biomass in this biome than in any other biome on earth. There may be 500 tons of living things per acre here! That translates down to about 206 pounds per square yard, about the same as one good sized human adult per square yard.

TreesTrees the topmost layer of the temperate rain forest on the western edge the topmost layer of the temperate rain forest on the western edge

of North America is dominated by four kinds of tall coniferous trees. of North America is dominated by four kinds of tall coniferous trees. These are:These are:    The Douglas-Fir:The Sitka SpruceThe Western Red CedarThe     The Douglas-Fir:The Sitka SpruceThe Western Red CedarThe Western Hemlock When these trees are full grown, they are Western Hemlock When these trees are full grown, they are between 130 to 280 feet tall.In some areas other conifers dominate. between 130 to 280 feet tall.In some areas other conifers dominate. For example, in California redwood trees grow in the temperate rain For example, in California redwood trees grow in the temperate rain forest. forest.

          Small shade-loving trees, such as dogwoods and vine maples, Small shade-loving trees, such as dogwoods and vine maples, form the understory level. Beneath the trees, shrubs such as wild form the understory level. Beneath the trees, shrubs such as wild currants, thimbleberries, and huckleberries grow in the filtered currants, thimbleberries, and huckleberries grow in the filtered sunlight. Sword ferns, salal, and Oregan grape plants also thrive sunlight. Sword ferns, salal, and Oregan grape plants also thrive here.here.

At the ground level, the earth is littered with dead fir needles, At the ground level, the earth is littered with dead fir needles, leaves, twigs, and fallen trees. These lie on and under a thick carpet leaves, twigs, and fallen trees. These lie on and under a thick carpet of mosses, lichens, grasses, and small plants, such as Oregon oxalis of mosses, lichens, grasses, and small plants, such as Oregon oxalis (which has leaves like a shamrock). The rocks are green with moss, (which has leaves like a shamrock). The rocks are green with moss, and the tree trunks and branches are covered with moss and algae. and the tree trunks and branches are covered with moss and algae. These low-growing plants are shade tolerant. Here and there one These low-growing plants are shade tolerant. Here and there one may find toadstools, mushrooms, and other kinds of fungi: these may find toadstools, mushrooms, and other kinds of fungi: these saprophites (organisms that digest dead organic matter) help to saprophites (organisms that digest dead organic matter) help to recycle the dead material on the forest floor.recycle the dead material on the forest floor.

the topmost layer of the temperate rain forest on the western edge the topmost layer of the temperate rain forest on the western edge of North America is dominated by four kinds of tall coniferous trees. of North America is dominated by four kinds of tall coniferous trees. These are:These are:    The Douglas-Fir:The Sitka SpruceThe Western Red CedarThe     The Douglas-Fir:The Sitka SpruceThe Western Red CedarThe Western Hemlock When these trees are full grown, they are Western Hemlock When these trees are full grown, they are between 130 to 280 feet tall.In some areas other conifers dominate. between 130 to 280 feet tall.In some areas other conifers dominate. For example, in California redwood trees grow in the temperate rain For example, in California redwood trees grow in the temperate rain forest. forest.

          Small shade-loving trees, such as dogwoods and vine maples, Small shade-loving trees, such as dogwoods and vine maples, form the understory level. Beneath the trees, shrubs such as wild form the understory level. Beneath the trees, shrubs such as wild currants, thimbleberries, and huckleberries grow in the filtered currants, thimbleberries, and huckleberries grow in the filtered sunlight. Sword ferns, salal, and Oregan grape plants also thrive sunlight. Sword ferns, salal, and Oregan grape plants also thrive here.here.

At the ground level, the earth is littered with dead fir needles, At the ground level, the earth is littered with dead fir needles, leaves, twigs, and fallen trees. These lie on and under a thick carpet leaves, twigs, and fallen trees. These lie on and under a thick carpet of mosses, lichens, grasses, and small plants, such as Oregon oxalis of mosses, lichens, grasses, and small plants, such as Oregon oxalis (which has leaves like a shamrock). The rocks are green with moss, (which has leaves like a shamrock). The rocks are green with moss, and the tree trunks and branches are covered with moss and algae. and the tree trunks and branches are covered with moss and algae. These low-growing plants are shade tolerant. Here and there one These low-growing plants are shade tolerant. Here and there one may find toadstools, mushrooms, and other kinds of fungi: these may find toadstools, mushrooms, and other kinds of fungi: these saprophites (organisms that digest dead organic matter) help to saprophites (organisms that digest dead organic matter) help to recycle the dead material on the forest floor.recycle the dead material on the forest floor.

AnimalsAnimals

Most of the animals in this forest live on or near the ground, where there is lots of food, and the trees provide shelter from sun, wind, and rain. Beetles burrow in the moss and hide in the bark of trees. Wood peckers and birds eat the insects. Grass is eaten by the voles (cute little mouse-like animals) and the deer.

Most of the animals in this forest live on or near the ground, where there is lots of food, and the trees provide shelter from sun, wind, and rain. Beetles burrow in the moss and hide in the bark of trees. Wood peckers and birds eat the insects. Grass is eaten by the voles (cute little mouse-like animals) and the deer.

ConclusionConclusionCome See Coastal AlaskaCome See Coastal Alaska