global ecology

biomes

• terrestrial, climatically controlled biotic communities on global scale

Climate

 temperature, precipitation are determining factors of climate for biomes

Alexander von hombolt

determined that traveling north temperatures drop, and that is the same when you travel up mountains

tundra

Dominated vegetation: low shrubs, sedges,
grasses, lichens, and mosses

much of the biomass is underground

permafrost holds water at or near the surfece

tundra picture

tundra picture

taiga

norther conifer forest

Dominated by evergreen trees, spruce, fir, and
pine. Few Annuals. Perennial herbs are common

acidic soil w/ no nutrients

taiga picture

temperate deciduous forest

Composed of mostly broad-leaved species:
maple, oak, beech, hickory, etc

occur in large continental masses

temperate deciduous forest

grasslands

Dominated by perennial grasses

grow on fertile soil

grasses, grazers, and their predators have formed sustainable systems

temperate grassland picture

savanna

grassland with scattered trees

occupy region between tropical rainforests and deserts

high temps

savanna picture

dessert

Plant adaptations include thick cuticles, water-
storage tissues in stems and leaves, and thick
leaves and /or reduced in size

desert picture

Mediterranean scrub

scrub communities

Dominated by evergreen or summer-
deciduous, drought-resistant trees and
shrubs in dense thickets

chaparral

mediterranean scrub in california

maquis

mediterranean scrub in Mediterranean Sea

mediteranean scrub picture

tropical rain forest

broad-leaved evergreen trees

high species diversity

poor soils

tropical rainforest picture