Biomes Exploration Notes

Learning Objectives

• Understand how biomes are formed on Earth and how they are being altered.

• Differentiate biomes based on abiotic (non-living) and biotic (living) characteristics, both in terrestrial and aquatic environments.

Introduction to Biomes

• Ecological Understanding: To study ecology, it’s essential to recognize that it's shaped by various factors beyond historical protests of the 1960s.

• Habitat Formation: Various environmental and biological influences dictate habitat formation globally.

• Species Distribution: Species distribution patterns depend on biotic and abiotic factors over evolutionary time scales.

• Geographical Variability: Similar types of biomes can exist in different geographical areas.

• Climate Change Relevance: Global climate change is a current issue that continues to impact biomes around the world.

Activity Overview

Goals for the Activity:

1. Biome Specialization: Each student will become an expert on one specific biome and share insights within their group.

2. Collaboration: Engaging with peers is essential to gather comprehensive information about each biome.

3. Research Steps:

   • Select a biome from provided biome cards.

   • Move to a commemorative table dedicated to that biome.

   • Work with a team to research and summarize unique characteristics, features, and organisms pertinent to the chosen biome.

   • Focus beyond rainfall and temperature; consider all distinguishing features.

4. Knowledge Sharing: Upon completion, return to the regular table to teach peers about the biome, ensuring collective completion of the summary table.

5. Information Gathering: If two biomes are missing from your summary, consult peers at other tables to fill in gaps.

6. Final Tasks: Review questions provided in the assignment as a way to reinforce and test your understanding of the biomes studied.

7. Summary Page Submission: Worksheets will be collected for review purposes.

General Review Questions About Biomes

1. Rain Shadow Zone: A region that receives little rainfall, typically on the eastern side of a mountain range.

2. Earth Biomes and Vegetation Matching:

   • a. Tundra: lichens, mosses, low shrubs

   • b. Taiga: spruce, fir, pines

   • c. Temperate Deciduous Forests: maple, oak, beech

   • d. Grassland: prairie grasses

   • e. Desert: cacti, little vegetation

   • f. Tropical Rainforest: high plant species diversity

3. Chaparral vs. Grassland: Chaparral features small trees and dry summers, while grasslands are dominated by grasses with few trees.

4. Matching Ocean Zones:

   • a. Coastal: area from high tide to the continental shelf

   • b. Intertidal: between high and low tide marks

   • c. Open Ocean: surface area between coastal zones

   • d. Pelagic: from ocean surface to ocean floor

5. Littoral Zone: The shallow area in a lake where sunlight reaches the bottom. Its equivalent zone in oceans is the coastal zone.

6. Eutrophic vs. Oligotrophic Lakes:

   • Eutrophic lakes have high nutrient levels, leading to low oxygen levels due to algae growth.

   • Oligotrophic lakes have low nutrients, resulting in clear waters and high oxygen levels.

7. Wetlands: Areas characterized by soaking soil and support high biodiversity, acting as crucial habitats for various species.

8. Estuaries: Locations where freshwater meets saltwater, providing food and shelter for numerous organisms due to the nutrient-rich environment.

Specific Biome Characteristics

• Tundra:

  • Location: Arctic regions (e.g., Alaska, Northern Canada)

  • Conditions: Cold, long winters, permafrost, limited vegetation such as mosses and lichens.

  • Fauna: Includes species like Arctic foxes and caribou.

• Taiga (Boreal Forest):

  • Location: Northern regions (Canada, Russia, Northern Europe)

  • Conditions: Cold, acidic soils, coniferous forests (e.g., spruce, fir).

  • Fauna: Home to moose, wolves, and other forest species.

• Temperate Deciduous Forest:

  • Location: Central U.S., East Asia, parts of Europe.

  • Conditions: All four seasons, rich soil, moderate rainfall.

  • Flora: Dominated by oak, maple; fauna includes deer and bears.

• Grassland (Prairies):

  • Location: Central part of the U.S., parts of Africa.

  • Conditions: Hot summers, cold winters, rich soil suitable for crops.

  • Fauna: Includes various grazing animals and prairie dogs.

• Desert:

  • Location: Sahara, Australia, and other arid regions.

  • Conditions: Very dry, extreme temperatures with cacti and minimal fauna such as reptiles and insects.

• Tropical Rainforest:

  • Location: Amazon, Congo Basin, Southeast Asia.

  • Conditions: Hot, humid, with high rainfall and biodiversity of flora such as orchids and various fauna like jaguars.

• Wetlands and Estuaries:

  • Wetlands are seasonal areas around rivers and lakes with high nutrient levels and diverse plant life.

  • Estuaries are transitional zones between river and ocean environments, rich in biodiversity and important for many species.