Environmental Science Chapter 7

Terrestrial Biomes

communities of similar organisms in a particular climate. the different biomes are determined by the atmosphere and the climate.

Three climate zones

tropical, temperate, polar

Tropical zone

equator to 25 degrees… north and south latitude

Temperate zone

between 25 and 60 degrees. this biome takes up over 60% of Earth’s land mass. There is a medium amount of rain (200-2,000mm) and temp (5-20 degrees C). longer growing season. (4-10 months). This zone is mostly deciduous forest.

Polar zone

above 60 degrees… north and south latitude. It is a very cold zone with temperatures colder than 5 degrees c. the growing seasons are very short and there is a limited abundance and diversity of life.

Continental climate

temperature variation. interior regions that are far from bodies of water

Maritime climate

there is less temperature variation and these regions are closer to oceans and/or large lakes

Tropical rain forest

the annual rainfall is greater than 2000 mm. it is a warm climate and there is great diversity in plants an animals. the net primary production is more than any other terrestrial biome.

tropical seasonal forest biome

very similar to the rain forest although there is slightly less rain/ moisture. rainfall ranges between 1500 and 2500 mm. there are some dry seasons. the wettest areas have some tall tree canopies and the driest areas have scrubby woodlands.

tropical savanna biome

The Lion King. The region is mostly grasses and the little rainfall is seasonal. there is drought more than half the year. This is where you will find herds of grazing animals. climate is very similar to the tropical seasonal forest.

Temperate Deciduous forest biome

This biome is dominated by broadleaf trees. this is what a majority of the unites states falls into. the summers are moderate with colder winters. there are 4 seasons and the growing season falls between frosts.

Evergreen forest biome

this is an evergreen forest containing trees the keep their leaves (conifers). the summer is typically dryer than the winter and the winters are typically warmer than those of the temperate deciduous forest. there are a few temperate rain forests.

Chaparral biome

this biome is dominated by summer drought. there is a lot of evergreen shrubland and low woodlands. the land has build adaptations to resist water loss and fire.

Grassland biome

not a lot of flooding in these regions and they are relatively flat. The biomes are too dry for forests but wet enough to not be a desert.

agriculture and cattle has altered these biomes

Boreal forest biome

a cold and wet biome. the growing season is very short… less than 4 months and the winters are very long and very cold. the forests are dominated by conifers. there is a layer of permafrost.

Tundra biome

a treeless landscape that is very dry with only 100-500mm of annual rainfall. the growing season is shorter are shorter than 3 months and the winters are harsh. there is permafrost

Deserts Biome

Very dry environment. below 250mm annual rainfall. really cold at night and really hot during the day. the plants there are adapted to retain water.

Mountains

The higher in elevation you get, the colder it gets. rain shadow on one side of the mountain caused form direction of wind. Climate change is similar to North America.

Coastlines

transition between terrestrial and ocean biomes. saltwater… so the plants and animals that live there are adapted to the conditions. man has caused significant damage to the coastal dunes and ecosystems.

permafrost

a layer of permanently frozen soil that is 30-100 cm below the surface.

channel

the stream’s normal waterway. a passage or route through which something flows or is directed, such as a river

floodplain

these are ares that surround channels. they are bordered with embarkments of sediment called levees.

perennial stream

flows year round

intermittent stream

flows only at certain times

Aquatic Biomes

in

watershed

an area of land where all water flows into a single point, such as a river, lake, or ocean. It acts as a natural boundary, separating different drainage basins.