Chapter 1 Section 4 Biomes Contain Many Species

Objectives: 1. Describe how biomes vary by region and how

they are classified by the plant life they support 2. Explain that different ecosystems make up

biomes 3. Describe different land and water biomes

Regions of Earth are Classified into Biomes

A biome is a large geographic area that are similar in climate and have similar organisms

Climate describes long-term weather patterns of a region (Avg. Rainfall & Avg. Temp.)

Climate and abiotic factors are important factors that influence which organisms can live where.

Biomes cover very large areas, so there are many ecosystems within biomes.

Biomes There are six major land biomes and two major

water biomes 1. Taiga 2. Tundra 3. Desert 4. Grassland 5. Temperate Forest 6. Tropical Forest

Water Biomes 1. Freshwater 2. Marine Biomes

TAIGA

Taiga Found in the northern regions of the Earth Characterized by long cold winters and short cool

summers. Temperatures range from -40 to 20 degrees

Celsius Receives 30 – 60 cm of precipitation Evergreen (conifers) tree dominant the

landscapes Primary Consumers: Deer, Elk, Hares, Beavers Predators: Lynx, Owls, Bears, Wolves

TUNDRA

Tundra Found in the northern most and southern most

parts of the Earth. A long cold winter and a short cool summer. Temperatures range from -50 to 18 degrees Celsius Less than 25cm of precipitation per year Permafrost is a deep layer of permanently frozen

soil (below the surface soil) Plants: Moss, Grasses, Shrubs Primary Consumers: Rodents, Caribou, Musk Oxen Predators: Grizzly Bears, White Fox, Owls

DESERT

Desert Found toward the middle latitudes. Receive less than 25cm of precipitation. The organisms here get by on very little

precipitation Producers: Cactus, grass, shrubs Primary Consumers: Kangaroo Rat, Ground

Squirrel Secondary Consumer: Collared Lizard, Scorpion Predators: Snakes, Owls, Foxes

Grasslands

Grassland Receive 50 – 90 cm of rainfall per year Enough for grasses but forests Warm summers (30 degrees Celsius) cold winters Home to some of the largest animals on Earth Primary Consumers: Bison, Wild Horses, Gazelle,

Zebra, Elephant Predators: Wolves, Tigers, Lions, Cheetah

Temperate ForestsDeciduous Forest

Coniferous Forest (Taiga or

Boreal)

Temperate Forest Receive 75 – 150cm of precipitation per year A deciduous forest contains deciduous trees (shed

their leaves) Oak, Maple A coniferous forest contains conifers They support a wide range of animals Primary Consumers: Mice, Chipmunks, Raccoon,

Deer Predators: Bobcats, Foxes, Coyote, Wolves,

Mountain Lions

TROPICAL RAIN FOREST

Tropical Forests Located near the equator where the weather is

warm all year (25 deg. Celsius) It’s the wettest land biome (250 – 400 cm of rain) More organisms live in the tropical rain forests

than anywhere else on Earth Ex. Toucan, Orangutan, Boa Constrictor, Red

Eyed Tree Frog

FRESHWATER BIOME

Freshwater Freshwater biomes are rivers, streams, lakes,

ponds Estuary is where the freshwater of a river meets

the saltwater of an ocean. They are often called marshes or wetlands.

MARINE BIOME

Marine Biomes Marine biomes are saltwater biomes. Three main types: coastal, open ocean, deep

ocean. Beaches are part of the coastal ocean biome. Crabs and clams thrive here. Many types of fish and other marine animals No plants in the open ocean. The deep ocean is very cold and dark. Animals here feed on materials that fall down from

upper levels. Home to many bizarre looking creatures.

Deep Ocean Organisms

Viperfish Dragonfish

Long-Nosed Chimaera Deep Sea Gulper Eel