gen eco : chap 5

biome

• a large area on earth that has a specific climate, types of plants, animals.

• the climate affects what kinds of organisms can survive there,

2 major groups of biome

• terrestrial

• aquatic

6 major types of biome

• aquatic

• desert

• forest

• grassland

• savannas

• tundra

tropical rainforest

near the equator, most biodiverse biome (home)

• abiotic factors: high temp. (20-30°C), abundant rainfall, high humidity, thin nutrient-poor soils (rapid nutrient cycling & leaching)

• dominant plants: broad-leaved evergreen trees, ferns, vines, orchids

• dominant wildlife : capybaras, jaguars, monkeys

• Geographic distribution : South & central America, southeast Asia, Africa, Southern India, Northeastern Australia

emergent

4 Vertical Zones

• very tall trees growing above others

canopy

4 Vertical Zones

• thick roof of the forest made by the tops of trees

understory

4 Vertical Zones

• dark and humid layer with small trees & shrubs

forest floor

4 Vertical Zones

• dead plants and animals that rots and turn into soil

temperate forest

2nd largest terrestrial biome, 25% World’s forest

Abiotic factors : cold to moderate winters, warm summers, fertile soils

Dominant plants : broadleaf deciduous trees, conifers, flowering shrubs.

Dominant wildlife : deer, black bears, squirrels, raccoons, songbirds

Geographic distribution : Eastern US, Southeastern Canada, Europe, Japan, China, Australia

tropical savanna

also known as tropical grassland, unique biome characterized by distinct seasonal rainfall patterns

• Abiotic factors : warm temp, seasonal rainfall, compact soil, fires set by lightning.

• Dominant plants : tall perennial grass, drought-tolerant, fire-resistant trees

• Dominant wildlife : lions, leopards, cheetah, hyenas, elephants, giraffes, zebras

• Geographic distribution : eastern Africa, southern Brazil, northern Australia

temperate grassland

grasses dominate the landscape

• Abiotic factors : warm to hot summers, cold winters, moderate seasonal precipitation, fertile soils, occasional fires

• Dominant plants : lush perennial grasses & herb (resistant to drought, fire, cold)

• Dominant wildlife : cayotes, badgers, mule deer, pronghorn, antelope, rabbits

• Geographic distributions : central Asia, North America, Australia, Central Europe, South America

prairies

3 regional names of temperate grassland

• north america

steppes

3 regional names of temperate grassland

• Europe & Asia

pampas

3 regional names of temperate grassland

• South America

dessert

• Abiotic factors : low precipitation, variable temp, soils in rich minerals, but poor in organic mineral

• Dominant plants :cacti & succulents, creosote bush, plants with short growth cycles.

• Dominant wildlife : mountain lions, gray foxes, bobcats, mule deer, bats, owl

• Geographic distributions : Africa, Asia, Middle east, united states, Mexico, Australia

phreatophyte

• is a special plant type

• desert plant with a long top root that extends down to the water table

• typically with thick leaves and spiky stalks to deter grazing animals

tundra

extreme cold, short growing seasons, and lack of trees

Abiotic factors : strong winds, low precipitation, short/soggy summers, long cold and dark winters, poorly developed soils, permafrost

Dominant plants : ground-hugging plants (mosses, lichens, sedges, short grass)

Dominant wildlife : resident mammals/birds (musk, ox, arctic foxes, caribou)

arctic tundra

3 kinds of tundra

• north pole

alpine tundra

3 kinds of tundra

• high mountains

antarctic tundra

3 kinds of tundra

• south pole

aquatic biomes

• largest biome on earth

• divided into freshwater and marine regions

freshwater biomes

low saline conditions (little/ no salt)

lotic

3 types of freshwater biomes

• (moving water bodies)

• streams & rivers

lentic

3 types of freshwater biomes

• (standing water bodies)

• bogs, lakes, ponds, island wetlands

biodiversity

3 types of freshwater biomes

• algae, aquatic plants, plankton, turtles, ducks, snakes.

marine biomes

salty water

photic zone

2 Marine depth & light zones

• sunlight reaches this region

• supports plants such as algae and phytoplankton for photosynthesis

aphotic zone

2 Marine depth & light zones

• sunlight cannot reach this region

• organisms rely on energy from falling debris/hydrothermal vent chemicals

intertidal zone

5 Marine habitat zones

• where oceans meets land

• crabs, sea, stars, seaweeds

neritic zone

5 Marine habitat zones

• shallow part over the continental shelf with lots of sunlight and nutrients

• fish, coral, reefs, plants

oceanic pelagic zone

5 Marine habitat zones

• open ocean beginning past the edge of the continental shelf, fewer nutrients

• tuna, sharks, whales

benthic zone

5 Marine habitat zones

• ocean floor from shallow to deep and cold areas

• sea cucumbers, crabs, tubeworms

abyssal zone

5 Marine habitat zones

• deepest part of the ocean, pitch dark, freezing cold

• bioluminescent creatures, anglerfish, giant squid