1.2 Terrestrial biomes

definition of biome

An area that shares an average yearly temperature and precipitation pattern

Primary biome characteristics

Average annual temperature and precipitation

High temperature and precipitation effects

Leads to high plant biomass and animal diversity

Climate change effect on biomes

Changes in temperature or precipitation can shift biome locations

Organism community

All populations of different species that live and interact within a region

Tundra & Boreal latitude

Higher latitudes (60° north or south of the equator)

Temperate latitude

Mid latitudes

Tropical latitude

Close to the equator

Climatogram

Graph showing annual temperature and precipitation for a region

Productivity in biomes

Number and diversity of primary producers

Soil formation factors

Influenced by temperature, precipitation, and primary productivity

Latitude influence on biomes

Certain climates occur only at specific latitudes

Biome location shifts causes

Due to climate changes, disturbances, or geological events

Nonmineral terrestrial resources

Distribution varies due to climate, geography, latitude, and altitude

Dynamic biome distribution

Biomes change over time because of global climate shifts

Tundra characteristics

Cold, low precipitation, low plant diversity, high latitudes

Boreal forest characteristics

Cold, moderate precipitation, dominated by coniferous trees

Temperate rainforest characteristics

Moderate temperature, high precipitation, dense forests

Temperate seasonal forest characteristics

Moderate temperature and precipitation, dominated by deciduous trees

Temperate grassland characteristics

Moderate temperature, lower precipitation than forests, grass-dominated

Savanna characteristics

Warm, seasonal rainfall, grasslands with scattered trees

Shrubland characteristics

Hot, dry summers, mild wet winters, drought-resistant shrubs

Tropical rainforest characteristics

Warm, high precipitation, dense, highly diverse plant and animal life

Desert characteristics

Very low precipitation, extreme temperatures, low plant and animal diversity

Climatogram interpretation

Used to predict plant types and potential animal diversity

Climate-biome relationship

Driven by long-term patterns of temperature and precipitation

Global climate change impact

Can alter precipitation and temperature patterns, shifting biome locations