Habitats / Biomes

habitat

the physical location where a species, community, population, or organism lives

abiotic

the non-living physical factors that may influence organisms. SUch as temperature, sunlight, soil composition.

biotic

living components of an ecosystem. Such as plants, animals, microorganisms.

biosphere

an ecological system composed of individuals, populations, communities, and ecosystems. Represents the parts of Earth where life exists.

ecosystem

open systems in which energy and matter can enter and exit. An ecosystem is a community and physical environment with which it interacts.

biome

a group of ecosystems that share similar climates, regardless of geographic location

community

a collection of different interacting populations within the ecosystem.

population

a group of organisms of the same species, living in the same area, at the same time, which are capable of interbreeding.

species

a group of organisms that can interbreed and produce fertile offspring

Niche

the role of a species in an ecosystem

Tundra

• lowest temperature (negatives)

• very low precipitation

• permanently frozen soil

• low vegetation

• no trees

Taiga

• low temperatures (cold)

• long winters

• evergreen trees

• moderately low precipitation

Savannah

• high temperatures

• moderate precipitation

• summer rainy season

• winter dry season

• seasonal forest, scrub

Prairie

temperate grassland

Steppe

temperate grassland

Grassland

• low precipitation

• moderate temperatures

• continental - cold winters, warm summers

• grass

Tropical rainforest

• always moist

• highest precipitation

• high temperatures

• high vegetation

Desert

• lowest precipitation

• high temperatures

• low vegetation

Temperate Forest

• moderate temperature

• moderate precipitation

• deciduous forests

• lots of vegetation