Terrestrial Biomes

Biome

Large area with similar climate conditions that determine the plant

and animal species that can survive there

- ex. tropical rainforest

- They have ranges and are defined by their abiotic (non-living)

components- precipitation and temperature

Terrestrial Biome

A geographic region categorized by a particular combination of:

1) average annual temperature

2) annual precipitation

3) distinctive plant growth forms

4) animals on land

- What can survive is defined by temperature and precipitation, abiotic factors.

- Biomes across the globe occur in similar latitudes-due to climate patterns

Higher latitude - 60 degrees +

Tundra and Boreal latitude

mid latitudes - 30-60 degrees

Temperate latitude

closer to equator

tropical latitudes

importance of latitude in biomes

Latitude (distance from equator) determines temperature and precipitation, why biomes exist in predictable patterns

Climate diagrams

They display monthly temperature and precipitation values, which help determine the productivity of a biome

Tundra - Location/Precipitation/Temperature/Soil

Location: high-latitude regions near the North Pole and high-altitude mountain tops around the world

Precipitation = little precipitation 6-10 inches annually (cold desert)

Temp = Coldest and harshest biome, temps ranging from 54--30 degrees F

Soil - very slow decomposition and soil formation, low organic matter in soil, permafrost (permanently frozen soil)

Tundra - Flora + Fauna

Flora = mosses, grasses, dwarf shrubs

Fauna = polar bear, musk, snowy owl, and arctic fox

Tundra - Human interferences

1) Climate change - burning fossil fuels warms the Arctic faster and thaws underlying permafrost, which releases stored CO2

2) Oil and Gas drilling - Cause habitat fragentation and produce localized pollution

Boreal Forest/Tiaga - Location/Precipitation/Temperature/Soil

Location - Belt across Northern Hemisphere, south of tundra

Precipitation- 12-33in annually

Temperature - cold, 23-41 F

Soil - slow decomposition, thin, acidic, nutrient poor.

Boreal Forest/Tiaga - Flora + Fauna

Flora = coniferous trees, deciduous trees, and underbrush/moss

Fauna = moose, reindeer, black bears, wood bison

Boreal Forest/Tiaga - Human Interferences

1) Logging and Deforestation - destroys biodiversity and wildlife habitats

2) Mining - Breaks continuous forest cover

Temperate Rainforest - Location/Precipitation/Temperature/Soil

Location - Mid latitude coasts and mountainous regions

Precipitation- 30-60 inches annually

Temperature - ocean currents moderate temperature fluctuations, average annual temp of 50 F

Soil- poor soils due to trees and low organic matter

Temperate Rainforest - Flora + Fauna

Flora = massive trees (redwood), evergreen huckleberry, spruce

Fauna = black bears, elk, deer, mountain lions

Temperate Rainforest - Human Interferences

1) Commercial Logging - companies clear old growth trees for timber

2) Urbanization/Infrastructure - building roads and hydroelectric dams increases habitat loss

Temperate Seasonal Forest - Location/Precipitation/Temperature/Soil

Location - mid latitude, North/East hemisphere

Precipitation- over 39in (1m) annually

Temperature-moderate temperature, freezing-90 degrees F

Soil - nutrient-rich soils, high productivity, warmer temps favor decomposition

Temperate Seasonal Forest - Flora + Fauna

Flora = deciduous trees (oaks/maples), ferns, wildflowers

Fauna = white-tailed deer, red foxes, woodpeckers, and hawks

Temperate Seasonal Forest - Human Interferences

1) Agriculture - clearing out forest to create fertile crop fields

2) Logging

3) Wildfires

Temperate Grassland - Location/Precipitation/Temperature/Soil

Location - mid latitude, far from oceans

Precipitation- 20-35in annually

Temperature-freezing winters to hot summer

Soil - highly productive soils, high soil organic matter

Temperate Grassland - Flora + Fauna

Flora = grasses, sunflowers, willows

Fauna = American bison, elk, antelope, prarie dogs

Temperate Grassland - Human Interference

1) Agricultural conversion - plowing destroys plant life and reduces biodiversity

2) Overgrazing - cattle overgraze, compacts soil, destroys root systems, and accelerates erosion

Woodland/Shrubland - Location/Precipitation/Temperature/Soil

Location - west coastal regions

Precipitation- 8-40in annually

Temperature- hot, dry summer, and mild winter

Soil - shallow, nutrient-poor, mildly acidic

Woodland/Shrubland - Flora + Fauna

Flora = woody shrubs, small pine trees, hardy grasses

Fauna = Rabbits, deer, squirrels, coyotes, bobcats

Woodland/Shrubland - Human Interference

1) Deforestiation and Land Clearing

2) Altered Fire regimes - relies on natural fire cycle to regenerate, but humans suppress it too quickly

Tropical Rainforest - Location/Precipitation/Temperature/Soil

Location - mostly between Tropic of Cancer and Tropic of Capricorn

Temperature- warm year-round, little temperature variation

Precipitation- 80-400in annually

Soil- nutrient-poor soil due to rapid decomposition

Tropical Rainforest - Flora + Fauna

Flora = lianas (vines), orchids, tall trees

Fauna = toucans, sloths, howler monkeys, poison dart frogs

Tropical Rainforest - Human Interferences

1) Agriculture and Cattle Raiching = Clear area for crops and livestock

2) Logging

3) Mining

Tropical Seasonal Forest/Savanna - Location/Precipitation/Temperature/Soil

Location - Within 30 degrees of the equator

Temperature- warm with distinct wet and dry seasons, 68-86 degrees

Precipitation- 8-40in annually

Soil- fertile soil, nutrients stored in soil due to limited water availability

Savanna - Flora + Fauna

Flora = tall grasses, baobab trees, palms

Fauna = Zebras, elephants, giraffes, lions, cheetahs, hyenas

Savanna - Human interferences

1) Desertification - Sever overgrazing and climate stress turns fertile soil into desert

2) Climate Chang - Causes severe droughts

Desert - Location/Precipitation/Temperature/Soil

Location - between 15-35 degrees N and S of equator

Temperature- hot temperatures average 104 degrees F

Precipitation- less than 12 in annually, often evaporating before hitting the ground

Soil - dry, coarse, shallow, low in organic matter, high in minerals and salts

Desert - Flora + Fauna

Flora = cacti, bushes

Fauna = Camels, kangaroo rats, fennec foxes

Desert - Human interference

1) Off-road vehicles - crushes fragile soil crusts and causes long-term erosion

2) Water diversion - building dams and withdrawing grandwater dries up natural oases

Shifting Biomes

Biomes shift in location on earth as climate changes

- ex. warming climate will shift boreal forest further north as tundra permafrost soil melts and lower latitudes become too warm for aspen and spruce trees