APES 1.2 Terrestrial Biomes

Terrestrial biomes

Biome: Contains characteristic communities of plants and animals, adapted to habitat/climate

• Global distributions of non-minerals depend on some combination of climate, geography, altitude, etc.
• Worldwide distribution of biomass is dynamic and interactive, has changed (and will continue to do so)

Precipitation and temperature are the two major dictations for plant growth, which subsequently dictate the biome itself. Vegetation is an essential component for other life in the biome

Taiga

• Largest terrestrial biome, across portions of North America, Europe, and Asia
• Considered subarctic
• Short wet summer, varying temps, brutal winters, 12-33in of precip.
• Evergreens, lichens and mosses, nutrient deficient soil, birds typically migrate
• Logging, paper production, mining, nat. gas, oil
• Not great for agriculture

Temperate rainforest

• South America, South Africa, southeast Australia
• Moderate temps, mid-latitudes, climate is temperate, coastal tempuratures dictated by ocean currents
• High precip.
• Large trees, ferns, and mosses
• Slower rate of decomposition
• Logging, mining, drilling for multiple things, some agriculture products
• Produce oxygen (statistically notable)

Temperate seasonal forests

• Northeast America, Europe, East Asia, some Australia
• Four distinct seasons, precip. of over 1 meter
• Away from ocean currents
• Increased decomp., increased productivity
• Large variety of flora/fauna
• Agriculture, logging (hardwood for craftsmanship), hunting

Desert

• North Africa, Australia
• Lack of precip., not much vegetation
• Fifth of the earth, expanding
• Hot days and cold nights
• Plants with special adaptations, not much else
• Energy (oil and gas), livestock (to a degree), mining, oil

Tundra

• Desert-like, but colder temperatures
• Not many trees, low-to-ground flora
• Arctic, alpine, and antarctic tundras
• Polar regions, high elevations, above treeline
• Two seasons, permafrost, short growing seasons, melts and bogs form in summer
• Not much precip., evaporation levels reduced
• Mosses and peat, not much biodiversity
• Low human population, oil is huge industry

Savanna

• Australia, Africa, India
• Distinct seasons, wet and dry
• Grazing and burrowing animals, scavengers, many predators
• Low flora, grasses some trees
• Grazing, tourism, energy

Shrubland

• California, Mediterranean, Southwest Australia
• Shrubs, not much biodiversity esp. in flora
• Hot and dry with some fluctuation, wildfires very common (replenishing but dangerous)
• Low precip.
• Tough plants
• Agricultural, ranching, not much commercial use

Temperate grassland

• Great plains in North America, Eastern Europe, South America
• Lowest avg precip., hot dry summers, cold harsh winters
• Wildfires common
• Grasses and nonwoody plants, grazing animals common, grass
• Agriculture, wheat, grazing and ranching, tourism, energy, water distribution

Tropical rainforest

• North and South America (Amazon), Mid-Africa, Southeast Asia (near the equator)
• Warm and wet, not much temperature fluctuation
• Rapid decomp., high productivity, soil not very fertile because of this high decomp. rate
• Tons of biodiversity per unit of area
• Distinct layers (canopy, understory, etc.)
• Biodiversity, medicinal properties in plants
• Agricultural, nuts, spices and flavoring, rubber, cosmetics, medicines
• Much land has been cleared for said products

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