4-3 Terrestrial Biomes Biomes site Biome A. Complex terrestrial communities that: 1. covers a large area. 2. characterized by certain soil and climate conditions. 3. particular assemblages of plants and animals. 2. Tolerance A. Plants and animals are adapted to exist in particular environments. B. Allows them to survive in different conditions.
C. They can tolerate some fluctuations in conditions, but generally dont survive outside their particular climate. 3. Biomes and Climate A. Climate generally stays the same within any particular biome. B.Microclimates is the climate in a small area that differs then the surrounding climate. 4. Major Biomes A. Ecologist recognize at least ten major biomes B. Include: 1. Tropical rain forest 2. Tropical dry forest 3. Tropical savanna 4. Desert 5. Temperate grassland 6. Temperate woodland and shrubland 7. Temperate forest 8. Northwestern coniferous forest 9. Boreal forest 10. Tundra C. Each biome is defined by a unique set of abiotic factors and a characteristic assemblage of plants and animals. D. Fig. 4-11; pg. 99 Tropical Rain Forest Climate Characteristic Plants
Characteristic Animals hot and wet year-round (25-30C) nutrient poor soils precipitation year round (usually more than 100 mm per month) ferns, broad-leafed evergreen trees, woody vines, climbing plants, orchids, bromeliads tall trees (50-80m) forming canopy sloth, tapirs, capybaras, jaguars, anteaters, monkeys, toucans, parrots, parakeets, butterflies, beetles, ants, piranhas, caymans, anacondas Tropical Rain Forest Parts of south and central America,
Southeast Asia, parts of Africa, southern India, Northeastern Australia Tropical Dry Forest Climate Characteristic Plants
Characteristic Animals warm year-round Alternating wet and dry seasons Precipitation mm per month Tall, deciduous trees that form a dense canopy during the wet season, aloes, succulents, orchids, bromeliads tigers, monkeys, elephants, Indian rhinoceroses, hog deer, hornbills, pied harriers, spot-billed pelicans, insects, snakes, monitor lizards Tropical Dry Forest Parts of Africa, South and Central America, Mexico, India, Australia, tropical islands Tropical Savannas Climate Characteristic Plants Characteristic Animals
Precipitation between mm per month 25C to 30C Warm temperatures, seasonal rainfall Tall perennial grasses; sometimes trees or shrubs acacia tree lions, leopards, cheetahs, hyenas, jackals, aardvarks, elephants, giraffes, antelope, zebra, baboons, eagles, ostriches, insects Tropical Savanna Large parts of eastern Africa, southern Brazil, northern Australia Desert Climate Characteristic Plants Characteristic Animals
less than 25 cm of rain per year Varies greatly with elevation and altitude 15-35C hot summers, cold winters (some are hot all year) sparse vegetation cactus, small plants, creosote bush, succulents mountain lion, gray fox, bobcats, mule deer, pronghorn antelope, desert bighorn sheep, kangaroo rats, bats, owls, hawks, roadrunners, ants, beetles, butterflies, tortoises, rattlesnakes, lizards DesertAfrica, Asia, the Middle East, united States, Mexico, South America, Australia Temperate Grassland Climate Characteristic Plants
Characteristic Animals precipitation between mm per month 10C to 30C cold winters, hot summers Lush, perennial grasses and herbs coyotes, badgers, wolves, grizzly bears, mule deer, pronghorn antelope, rabbits, prairie dogs, hawks, owls, bobwhites, prairie chickens, snakes, insects Temperate Grasslands Central Asia, North America, Australia, central Europe,South America Temperate Woodland and Shrubland
Climate CharacteristicPlants Characteristic Animals Precipitation 0-75 mm per month Temperature 10C - 20C Hot, dry summers; cool moist winters; nutrient poor soils, periodic fires Woody evergreen shrubs with small leathery leaves; fragrant, oily herbs, oak trees Coyotes, foxes, bobcats, mountain lions, blacktailed deer, rabbits, squirrels, hawks, quails, warblers, lizards, snakes, butterflies Temperate Woodland and Shrubland
Western coasts of North and South America, areas around the Mediterranean Sea, South Africa, Australia Temperate Forest Climate Characteristic Plants Characteristic Animals
Precipitation mm per month Temperature 0C-30C Fertile soil Cold to moderate winters; warm summers Broadleaf deciduous trees, some coniferous trees, Flowering shrubs, herbs, mosses and ferns Deer, black bears, bobcats, squirrels, raccoons, skunks, songbirds, turkeys Temperate Forest eastern U. S
Temperate Forest eastern U.S., SE Canada, , most Europe, parts of Japan, China, and Australia Northwestern Coniferous Forest
Climate Characteristic Plants Characteristic Animals Precipitation mm per month Temperature 5C - 20C Fall, winter, spring, relatively cool; dry summer, rocky acidic soil Douglas fir, Sitka spruce, western hemlock, redwood Bears, elk, deer, beavers, owls, bobcats, weasels, squirrels Northwestern Coniferous Forest
Pacific coast or NW U.S., Canada, N. Ca to Alaska Boreal Forest (Coniferous Forest)/ Taiga
Climate Characteristic Plants Characteristic Animals -25C to 15C 10-70 mm precipitation per month Short, cool summers; long, cold winters; high humidity Needle leaf coniferous trees fir, pines, spruce; cone-bearing evergreen shrubs; some deciduous trees Lynx, timber wolves, weasels, moose, beavers, songbirds, migratory birds Boreal North America, Asia, Northern Europe Tundra Climate Characteristic Plants Characteristic Animals
-30C to 5C (barely above freezing) little precipitation (0-20 mm per month) permafrost present; strong winds; short and soggy summers, long, cold and dark winters (small ground-hugging plants) mosses, grasses, shrubs, dwarf trees, lichen, sedges Migratory waterfowl, shore birds, musk ox, arctic foxes, caribou, lemmings, insects, wolves, hares, snowy owl, Tundra northern N. America, Asia, Europe