Biomes: Tropical Rainforest, Deciduous, Temperate, and Taiga Ecosystems

Tropical Rainforest — Location?

23.5° N or S, around the Tropics of Cancer and Capricorn.

Tropical Rainforest — Temperature?

Constant and warm, about 25-29°C.

Tropical Rainforest — Precipitation?

Very high, more than 230 cm/year.

Tropical Rainforest — Plant adaptations?

Specialized surfaces for water to condense, large buttresses, and drip tips.

Tropical Rainforest — Animal adaptations?

Many animals live in the canopy; mimicry and bright coloration are common.

Tropical Rainforest — Important animals/ecological roles?

Abundant pollinators and seed dispersers.

Tropical Rainforest — Human impacts?

Deforestation for logging and farming.

Tropical Rainforest — Biodiversity?

Extremely biologically diverse; contains more than 50% of terrestrial biodiversity.

Tropical Rainforest — Soil?

Thin and nutrient-poor; almost 90% of nutrients are contained in living organisms.

🌳 Tropical Deciduous Forest

Tropical Deciduous Forest — Location?

10-20° N or S, near the equator.

Tropical Deciduous Forest — Temperature?

Constant and warm, about 25-39°C.

Tropical Deciduous Forest — Precipitation?

130-230 cm/year.

Tropical Deciduous Forest — Seasons?

Distinct wet and dry seasons.

Tropical Deciduous Forest — Plant adaptations?

Deciduous trees lose their leaves during the dry season and regrow them during the rainy season.

Tropical Deciduous Forest — Other plant adaptation?

Some plants have thorns to deter browsing animals.

Tropical Deciduous Forest — Animal adaptations?

Browsing and generalist animals can tolerate the harsh dry season.

Tropical Deciduous Forest — Human impacts?

Deforestation for farming and urbanization.

Tropical Deciduous Forest — Compared with tropical rainforest?

Less diverse, but has more fertile soil.

🌲 Temperate Rainforest

Temperate Rainforest — Location?

40-60° N or S, especially along western coasts of the Americas.

Temperate Rainforest — Temperature?

About 0-20°C, with mild winters and summers.

Temperate Rainforest — Precipitation?

More than 200 cm/year.

Temperate Rainforest — Plant adaptations?

Evergreen and deciduous trees thrive because of abundant precipitation.

Temperate Rainforest — Example of important plants?

Redwoods.

Temperate Rainforest — What are epiphytes?

Plants such as mosses, vines, and ferns that thrive in moist air conditions.

Temperate Rainforest — Animal adaptations?

Most animals live at or near the ground where food is available.

Temperate Rainforest — How do animals cope with winter?

Hibernation and migration are common.

Temperate Rainforest — Human impacts?

Logging and climate change, particularly reduced rainfall, threaten forests.

Temperate Rainforest — Decomposition?

Cool temperatures slow decomposition, creating a thick litter layer on the forest floor.

🍂 Temperate Deciduous Forest

Temperate Deciduous Forest — Location?

25-50° N, in the mid-latitudes.

Temperate Deciduous Forest — Temperature?

About -12 to 30°C.

Temperate Deciduous Forest — Precipitation?

75-200 cm/year.

Temperate Deciduous Forest — Seasons?

Four distinct seasons.

Temperate Deciduous Forest — Plant adaptation?

Deciduous trees drop their leaves before winter and enter dormancy.

Temperate Deciduous Forest — Other plant adaptation?

Early spring herbaceous plants grow before the trees leaf out.

Temperate Deciduous Forest — Animal adaptations?

Hibernation and migration are common for surviving winter.

Temperate Deciduous Forest — What animals are relatively uncommon?

Reptiles, because they depend on solar radiation for heat.

Temperate Deciduous Forest — Human impacts?

Logging, agriculture, mining, and invasive species.

🌲 Temperate Coniferous Forest / Taiga

Taiga — Location?

50-60° N.

Taiga — Temperature?

About -20 to 40°C.

Taiga — Precipitation?

30-100 cm/year.

Taiga — Dominant plants?

Conifers.

Taiga — Why are conifers adapted to winter?

They are evergreen, don't lose their needles, and their needles shed snow.

Taiga — When can trees photosynthesize?

When temperatures are above freezing.

Taiga — Animal adaptations?

Animals hibernate, burrow, or migrate to survive cold, long winters.

Taiga — Human impacts?

Logging for wood and oil/natural gas extraction.

Taiga — Decomposition?

Slow decomposition can lead to peat bogs.

Taiga — Important climate characteristic?

Long winters with temperatures often below freezing.

🌾 Tropical Grassland / Savanna

Savanna — Location?

8-20° N or S.

Savanna — Temperature?

About 24-29°C.

Savanna — Precipitation?

50-130 cm/year.

Savanna — Rainfall pattern?

Most rain occurs during the summer wet season; winter is often an extensive dry season.

Savanna — Dominant plants?

Grasses.

Savanna — Why does fire help maintain the savanna?

Fire eliminates many woody plants while grasses regrow from their roots.

Savanna — Common animals?

Antelopes, wildebeest, zebras, and rhinos.

Savanna — Animal adaptation?

Many animals have long legs or wings that help them migrate long distances to find food and water.

Savanna — Human impacts?

Land is often used for livestock grazing.

Savanna — What happens with overgrazing?

The area can become desert-like and no longer function as a savanna.

🌾 Temperate Grassland / Prairie

Temperate Grassland — Location?

Beyond 23.5° N or S, in the mid-latitudes.

Temperate Grassland — Temperature?

About -10 to 30°C.

Temperate Grassland — Precipitation?

25-100 cm/year.

Temperate Grassland — Dominant plants?

Grasses.

Temperate Grassland — Plant adaptation?

Deep roots allow grasses to regrow after fire and grazing.

Temperate Grassland — Other plant adaptations?

Plants can become dormant during droughts and have thin leaves that reduce water loss.

Temperate Grassland — Animal adaptations?

Animals burrow to escape fires and predators.

Temperate Grassland — How are animals adapted to eating grass?

They have broad, flat teeth and digestive systems adapted to grasses.

Temperate Grassland — Other animal adaptations?

Camouflage and winter dormancy.

Temperate Grassland — Human impact?

Conversion of land to agriculture.

Temperate Grassland — Why is agriculture a major threat?

The soil is rich and fertile.

Temperate Grassland — What prevents trees/shrubs from taking over?

Seasonal drought, occasional fires, and grazing by large mammals.

🏜️ Hot Desert

Hot Desert — Location?

20-30° N or S.

Hot Desert — Temperature?

Below 0°C at night to as high as 50°C during the day.

Hot Desert — Precipitation?

Less than 30 cm/year.

Hot Desert — Plant adaptation?

Succulents store water.

Hot Desert — Plant adaptation?

Annual plants grow only after rainfall.

Hot Desert — Plant adaptation?

Perennial shrubs have extensive roots and small leaves to conserve water.

Hot Desert — Animal adaptation?

Many animals are nocturnal.

Hot Desert — Animal adaptation?

Many animals live in burrows.

Hot Desert — How do animals conserve water?

They can survive on little water and produce concentrated urine/feces.

Hot Desert — Body adaptation?

Slender bodies help increase cooling.

Hot Desert — Human impacts?

Irrigation has allowed agriculture and urbanization.

Hot Desert — Common location?

Continental interiors, far from oceans.

🏜️ Cold Desert

Cold Desert — Location?

About 30° latitude toward the poles.

Cold Desert — Temperature?

About -4°C in winter to 10°C in summer.

Cold Desert — Precipitation?

Less than 25 cm/year.

Cold Desert — Plant characteristics?

Few plant species, generally short (15-120 cm tall).

Cold Desert — Why don't plants store water like hot-desert plants?

Water expands when it freezes.

Cold Desert — Animal adaptations?

Many animals are seed eaters.

Cold Desert — How do animals survive winter?

Hibernation and burrowing.

Cold Desert — Antarctic animal adaptations?

Dense fur/insulation and water-repellent feathers or fur.

Cold Desert — Human impacts?

Very little human development because of cold temperatures and low rainfall.

Cold Desert — Where else can it occur?

Continental interiors and mountain rain shadows.

Cold Desert — Why are soils often salty?

Rain carries minerals into the soil, and when water dries, the minerals are left behind.