(c) mcgraw hill ryerson 2007 1.1 biomes the word “biosphere” refers to anywhere on earth living...

(c) McGraw Hill Ryerson 2007

1.1 Biomes

• The word “biosphere” refers to anywhere on Earth living things exist. A biome is a region with similar biotic and abiotic components.

Biotic = living things Abiotic = non-living things (air, water, soil, etc.)

A biome here in BC can be the same as a biome in

New Zealand. If biotic and abiotic conditions are the same, similar

biomes can exist far apart.

• In this course, eight terrestrial biomes will be studied. Biomes are classified based on many qualities, such as water availability,

temperature, and interactions between biotic and abiotic factors. Boreal forest, desert, grassland, permanent ice, temperate deciduous forest,

temperate rainforest, tropical rainforest and tundra. See pages 8 -10


Factors That Influence the Characteristics and Distribution of Biomes

• Certain characteristics help to identify biomes. Temperature and precipitation are two of the

most important abiotic factors. Other factors include latitude, elevation and

ocean currents.

See pages 10 - 13


PRACTICE

• Practice using the graph on page 13

• Do Practice Questions 1-4 with your partner

• Timed activity 2 minutes


Answers

• 1. Boreal forest biome; 200cm precipitation, 14*C temperature

• 2. Temperate deciduous forest; 100 cm precipitation, 0-20*C temperature

• 3. Tundra biome; very low precipitation, -18 to -8*C temperature

• 4. Temperate rainforest; high precipitation, 15*C temperature


Factors That Influence the Characteristics and Distribution of Biomes (continued)

• Latitude is an abiotic factor that influences biomes. Latitude is the distance north and south from the equator. Latitude influences both temperature

and precipitation. The tropical zone has very warm

temperatures and high precipitation.• The sun shines straight down• warm air holds more moisture

than cooler air.

• Elevation also influences biomes. Higher elevations have less air, and therefore less heat is retained. Windward sides of mountains are wet, leeward sides are very dry.

• Ocean currents carry warmth and moisture to coastal areas. Where warm currents meet land, temperate biomes are found.

See pages 14 - 15


Climatographs

• Climate refers to the average pattern of weather conditions over a period of several years. A climatograph shows the average temperature and precipitation for a location

over a period of 30 years or more.

• Biomes are often defined using information in climatographs. Examine the differences between Tofino and Osoyoos

See pages 16 - 17


Adaptations and Biomes

• Biomes are often identified with characteristic biotic factors. For example, a cactus in the desert, or a caribou on the tundra. Many of these characteristic factors have special adaptations for that biome. An adaptation is a characteristic that allows an organism to better survive and

reproduce.

1. Structural adaptation - a physical feature that helps an organism survive.• A wolf has large paws to help it run in snow.

2. Physiological adaptation - a physical or chemical event

inside the body of an organism that allows it to survive.• A wolf maintains a constant body temperature.

3. Behavioural adaptation - a behaviour that helps an

organism to survive.• A wolf hunts in packs to capture large prey.

See pages 18 - 19


A Survey of Biomes:Tundra and Boreal Forest

See pages 20 - 21


Tundra vs Boreal

TUNDRA BOREAL

Location: upper northern hemisphere

Location: upper northern hemisphere across canada, and across russia, finland, scandinavia

Plant Adaptaions:

No trees

Roots cannot penetrate permafrost

Short plants (shield from winds and get more warmth)

Short grass, lichens, mosses

Have fuzzy coverings on stems

Plant Adaptations:

Coniferous trees (cone-bearing)

Needles on trees to resist water loss, allow snow to fall off easy

Few under-story plants


Cont’d

TUNDRA BOREAL

Animal Adaptations

Hares, foxes have compact bodies which reduce heat loss

Grow slowly, reproduce less frequently (less energy)

Marshy conditions ->summer more insect diversity

Animal Adaptations

Thick insulating coats (body heat)

Change colours of hair to camoglage according to season colours

Some migrate away some stay year round

Low temperature survival conditions


A Survey of Biomes: Temperate Deciduous Forest and Temperate Rainforest

See pages 22 - 23


Temperate vs Deciduous

Temperate Deciduous Temperate Rainforest

Location: Weastern Canada & US Easter Asia, Weastern Europe, Southern Australia & New zealand

Location: coast line in South America, north west coat of north America

Climate:

Temp: 5-25*C

Rainfall: 200cm/yr

Coastal fog

Climate:

Temp: -30-30*C

Rainfall: 75-180 cm/yr


Cont’d

Temperate Deciduous Forest Temperate Rainforest

Physical Features:

Drastic seasonal changes

4 distinct seasons

Long, warm growing season

Bioaccumulation provides nutrients (fallen leaves breaking down on soil)

Physical features:

Occur on windward side of mountains

Large rain fall

Along coastlines in narrow strips


Cont’d

Plant Adaptations:

Light penetrates layers, under-storey present

4-5 layers of plants

1st layer-tall trees

2nd layr-shorter trees

3rd layer-shrubs

4th layer-ferns, herbs, mosses

Plant Adaptations

Very tall trees

Mosses draped on trees

Ferns mosses and fungi survive in the shade blanket on floor

Animal Adaptations

Many habitats for animals

Tree animals and land animals hibernate

Animal Adaptations

Animals live on forest floor

Birds & small mammals eat seeds that have fallen

Insects decompose plant matter

Birds have long beaks

Amphibians sticky tongues


A Survey of Biomes: Grassland (Temperate and Tropical)

See pages 24 - 25


Temperate vs Tropical Grasslands

Temperate grassland Tropical grassland

Location: canada, russia Location: north, south of equator in Africa, North America, northern Australia

Physical Features:

Flat land

Rich soil; fertile from decaying roots

Physical Features:

Flat land

Less rich b/c of rain

High precipitation followed by dry hot days causing grass fires


Cont’d

Plant Adaptations:

Trees scarce

Grass well adapted for drought (deep roots)

Regrow after fire

Flexible stalks (do not break from wind)

Plant Adaptations

Trees scarce

Deep root grasses

Trees have thorns to prevent animals from eating them for water

Bitter, sharp edges

Animal Adaptations:

Grazing animals, have flat teeth to grind grass

Borrowing animals that escape extreme conditions

Animal Adaptations:

Herds of animals are present

Predator-prey relationships


A Survey of Biomes: Tropical Rainforest and Desert (Hot and Cold)

See pages 26 - 27


Tropical Rainforest vs Desert (Hot and Cold)

Tropical Rainforest Desert (Hot and Cold)

Location:

Around equator, and both tropics

Location:

Kalahari, sahara of africa,

Physical Features:

Nutrient deficient soil

Rain washes minerals away dark understory

Physical Features:

Salty soils in warm D

Snow as precipitation

Little water erosion


Cont’d

Plant Adaptations:

Largest # of plant species

Shurbs adapted to shade in understorey

Tall trees (canopy)

Plants grow on tall trees

Plant Adaptation:

Few plants

Fleshy stems conserving water

Roots extend deep

Spines

Animal Adaptations:

Adapted to live in trees

Adapted to particular foods or habitats(poisons, colour)

Animal Adaptations:

Thick skin reptiles


A Survey of Biomes:Permanent Ice (Polar Ice)

See pages 28

Take the Section 1.1 Quiz


Polar Ice


Hierarchy

(c) mcgraw hill ryerson 2007 1.1 biomes the word “biosphere” refers to anywhere on earth living...

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