Unit 1 Lesson 7 - Terrestrial Biomes

What are the most important climatic factors?

Temperature and Precipitation

Where is the earth the warmest?

The Equator

Where is the Earth the coldest?

The Poles

Global rainfall depends on….

Wind circulation, which is driven by the sun

Describe the characteristics of a Tropical Rainforest

Highest precipitation/Stable Temperature/Large Tropical trees/High Biodiversity/ Nutrient-Poor Soils

Why do tropical rainforests have nutrient-poor soils?

All decaying organic matter is quickly sucked up by large vegetation

What are the three largest rainforests?

Amazon (South America)/ Indonesia Rainforest/ Congo in Africa

Describe the characteristics of a Hot Dessert

Hot but with low rainfall/Animals must have special adaptations for low precipitation

Describe the characteristics of a Savannah/ Tropical Grassland

Open grassland with scarce shrubs and trees/ Warm temperature/ Not enough precipitation to become a forest, but enough not to be a desert

Describe the characteristics of Temperate Grasslands

Cooler temperatures than tropical grasslands / Lower biodiversity than tropical grasslands/ Known for having the richest soils of all the biomes

Provide example(s) of a Temperate Grassland

Great Plains of America / Russian steppes

Describe the characteristics of a Temperate Rainforest

Receive a lot of rainfall/ Seen at higher latitudes/ Temperatures are much cooler

Which state has the most old-growth forest in the US?

Alaska

Describe the characteristics of a Temperate Deciduous Forest?

Mid-latitude forest/ Moderate Rainfall/ All four seasons

Describe the characteristics of a Coniferous Forest/Taiga

The largest terrestrial biome, with long, cold winters and short summers, is dominated by conifer trees, nutrient-poor soil and is home to cold-adapted animals.

Provide an example of a Taiga

Redwood forest

Describe the characteristics of a Chaparral

Hot, dry summers and mild, wet winters; dense, drought-resistant shrubs and small trees; periodic fires; thin, nutrient-poor soils.

Describe the characteristics of a Tundra

Cold, dry, treeless biome with permafrost; short growing season; low biodiversity; plants include mosses and lichens; animals adapted to extreme cold.

What is Primary Productivity?

A measure of producers in an ecosystem

How do you calculate Primary Productivity?

NPP = GPP – R

• GPP (Gross Primary Productivity): total energy captured by producers.

• R (Respiration): energy used by producers.

• NPP (Net Primary Productivity): energy available to consumers.

Which terrestrial biome has the highest NPP?

Tropical Rainforest

How does deforestation affect terrestrial biomes?

It reduces biodiversity, disrupts habitats, alters local climate, and releases stored carbon, contributing to climate change.

How does soil erosion affect terrestrial biomes?

It removes fertile topsoil, reduces plant growth, decreases biodiversity, increases desertification risk, and disrupts ecosystem stability

How do we solve degraded soil?

Don’t touch it!

How does climate change affect terrestrial biomes?

It shifts temperature and precipitation patterns, alters growing seasons, causes habitat loss, increases extreme weather events, and threatens biodiversity. BIOMES WILL SHIFT

Which terrestrial biome stores the most carbon?

Tundra

How can we address climate change?

Switch to renewables, tax breaks, and impose a “carbon tax” for the use of fossil fuels.