biome overview

Tropical Rainforest

layered canopy with intense light comp.

highest diversity on land

a lot of rainfall

high level of biodiversity

desert

hot, empty, dry

extreme temps

high wind velocity

no water vapor in the air

savanna

an open tree canopy

2 distinct seasons: wet and dry season

usually very dry

extensive cover of grasses with scattered trees

chaparral

woody shrubs, bushes, and small trees

very seasonal

temperate grassland

grasses are the dominant vegetation

less rainfall than savannas

cold winters and warm summers

temperate broadleaf forest

rich soil

abundant moisture

tundra

extremely cold

low biodiversity

energy and nutrients in the form of dead organic material

lakes

bigger/deeper than ponds

large body of slow moving/standing water

wetlands

not totally dry not totally underwater

presence of water in soil

estuaries

blending area of river and sea. Seawater flows up during rising tide, back down in falling tide.

intertidal zones

hidden and shown by tides periodically. Upper zones have more air exposure and temp/salinity. variations. open, blue water.

ocean pelagic zones

open, blue water. Mixed by ocean currents (bc of wind)

coral reefs

calcium carbonate skeletons of corals, mainly in photic zone of tropical marine environments with high water clarity, sensitive to temperature.

marine benthic zones

low temp

high pressure

barely any sunlight