Chapter 5Chapter 5

Climate and Terrestrial Climate and Terrestrial BiodiversityBiodiversity

Chapter Overview QuestionsChapter Overview Questions

What factors the earth’s climate?What factors the earth’s climate? How does climate determine where the How does climate determine where the

earth’s major biome’s are found?earth’s major biome’s are found? What are the major types of desert biomes?What are the major types of desert biomes? What are the major types of grassland What are the major types of grassland

biomes?biomes?

Chapter Overview Questions (cont’d)Chapter Overview Questions (cont’d)

What are the major types of forest and What are the major types of forest and mountain biomes?mountain biomes?

How have human activities affected the How have human activities affected the world’s desert, grassland, forest, and world’s desert, grassland, forest, and mountain biomes?mountain biomes?

Updates OnlineUpdates Online

The latest references for topics covered in this section can be found at The latest references for topics covered in this section can be found at the book companion website. Log in to the book’s e-resources page at the book companion website. Log in to the book’s e-resources page at www.thomsonedu.com to access InfoTrac articles. www.thomsonedu.com to access InfoTrac articles.

InfoTrac: Of Chicks and Frogs. Steven Pinker. InfoTrac: Of Chicks and Frogs. Steven Pinker. ForbesForbes, , August 14, 2006 v178 i3 p40. August 14, 2006 v178 i3 p40.

InfoTrac: Nice Rats, Nasty Rats: Maybe It's All In the Genes. InfoTrac: Nice Rats, Nasty Rats: Maybe It's All In the Genes. Nicholas Wade. Nicholas Wade. The New York TimesThe New York Times, July 25, 2006 pF1(L)., July 25, 2006 pF1(L).

InfoTrac: Ancient shrub unlocks a clue to Darwin's InfoTrac: Ancient shrub unlocks a clue to Darwin's 'abominable mystery.’ 'abominable mystery.’ The Christian Science MonitorThe Christian Science Monitor, May , May 18, 2006 p02.18, 2006 p02.

The Jane Goodall InstituteThe Jane Goodall Institute Natural History Museum: Ancient BirdsNatural History Museum: Ancient Birds

Core Case StudyCore Case StudyBlowing in the Wind: Blowing in the Wind:

A Story of ConnectionsA Story of Connections Wind connects Wind connects

most life on earth.most life on earth. Keeps tropics from Keeps tropics from

being unbearably being unbearably hot.hot.

Prevents rest of Prevents rest of world from world from freezing.freezing.

Figure 5-1Figure 5-1

CLIMATE: A BRIEF INTRODUCTIONCLIMATE: A BRIEF INTRODUCTION

Weather is a local area’s short-term physical Weather is a local area’s short-term physical conditions such as temperature and conditions such as temperature and precipitation.precipitation.

Climate is a region’s average weather Climate is a region’s average weather conditions over a long time.conditions over a long time. Latitude and elevation help determine climate.Latitude and elevation help determine climate.

Earth’s Current Climate ZonesEarth’s Current Climate Zones

Figure 5-2Figure 5-2

Solar Energy and Global Air Solar Energy and Global Air Circulation: Distributing HeatCirculation: Distributing Heat

Global air Global air circulation is circulation is affected by the affected by the uneven heating of uneven heating of the earth’s surface the earth’s surface by solar energy, by solar energy, seasonal changes seasonal changes in temperature and in temperature and precipitation.precipitation.

Figure 5-3Figure 5-3

Fig. 5-3, p. 102

Spring(sun aims directly

at equator)

Fall(sun aims directly at equator)

Summer(northern hemisphere

tilts toward sun)

Solarradiation

23.5 °Winter

(northern hemispheretilts away from sun)

Coriolis EffectCoriolis Effect

Global air Global air circulation is circulation is affected by the affected by the rotation of the rotation of the earth on its axis.earth on its axis.

Figure 5-4Figure 5-4

Fig. 5-4, p. 102

Cold deserts

Equator

Cold deserts

Forests

Forests

Hot desertsSoutheast trades

Westerlies

ForestsWesterlies

Hot desertsNortheast trades

Convection CurrentsConvection Currents

Global air Global air circulation is circulation is affected by the affected by the properties of air properties of air water, and land.water, and land.

Figure 5-5Figure 5-5

Fig. 5-5, p. 103

Warm,dry air

Flows toward low pressure,picks up moisture and heat

Moist surface warmed by sun

HIGHPRESSURE

LOW PRESSURE

Falls, is compressed, warms

Rises, expands, cools

HIGH PRESSUREHeat released

radiates to space

LOWPRESSURE

Condensationand

precipitationCool, dry

air

Hot, wet air

Convection CellsConvection Cells

Heat and moisture Heat and moisture are distributed over are distributed over the earth’s surface by the earth’s surface by vertical currents, vertical currents, which form six giant which form six giant convection cells at convection cells at different latitudes.different latitudes.

Figure 5-6Figure 5-6

Fig. 5-6, p. 103

Cell 3 North

Moist air rises — rain

Cell 2 North

Cool, dryair falls

Cell 1 North

Moist air rises,cools, and releasesMoisture as rain

Cell 1 SouthCool, dryair falls

Cell 2 South

Moist air rises — rain

Cell 3 South

Cold,dry airfalls

Polar cap

Temperate deciduousforest and grassland

Desert

Tropical deciduous forest

Tropicalrain forest

Equator

Tropical deciduous forest

Cold,dry airfalls

Polar capArctic tundra

Evergreenconiferous forestTemperate deciduousforest and grassland

Desert

60°

30°

0°

30°

60°

Ocean Currents: Ocean Currents: Distributing Heat and NutrientsDistributing Heat and Nutrients

Ocean currents influence climate by Ocean currents influence climate by distributing heat from place to place and distributing heat from place to place and mixing and distributing nutrients.mixing and distributing nutrients.

Figure 5-7Figure 5-7

Fig. 5-7, p. 104

(c) As concentrations of greenhouse gases rise, their molecules absorb and emit more infrared radiation, which adds more heat to the lower atmosphere.

(b) The earth's surface absorbsmuch of the incoming solar radiation and degrades it to longer-wavelength infrared (IR) radiation, which rises into the lower atmosphere. Some of this IR radiation escapes into space as heat, and some is absorbed by molecules of greenhouse gases and emitted as even longer-wavelength IR radiation, which warms the lower atmosphere.

(a) Rays of sunlight penetrate the lower atmosphere andwarm the earth's surface.

Ocean Currents: Ocean Currents: Distributing Heat and NutrientsDistributing Heat and Nutrients

Global warming:Global warming: Considerable scientific evidence and climate Considerable scientific evidence and climate

models indicate that large inputs of greenhouse models indicate that large inputs of greenhouse gases from anthropogenic activities into the gases from anthropogenic activities into the troposphere can enhance the natural greenhouse troposphere can enhance the natural greenhouse effect and change the earth’s climate in effect and change the earth’s climate in your your lifetimelifetime..

Video: Global WarmingVideo: Global Warming

This video clip is available in CNN Today This video clip is available in CNN Today Videos for Environmental Science, 2004, Videos for Environmental Science, 2004, Volume VII. Instructors, contact your local Volume VII. Instructors, contact your local sales representative to order this volume, sales representative to order this volume, while supplies last.while supplies last.

Topography and Local Climate:Topography and Local Climate:Land MattersLand Matters

Interactions between land and oceans and Interactions between land and oceans and disruptions of airflows by mountains and disruptions of airflows by mountains and cities affect local climates.cities affect local climates.

Figure 5-8Figure 5-8

Fig. 5-8, p. 105

Prevailing winds pick up moisture from an ocean.

Dry habitats

Moist habitats

On the leeward side ofthe mountain range, air descends, warms, and Releases little moisture.

On the windward side of a mountain range,air rises, cools, and releases moisture.

BIOMES: BIOMES: CLIMATE AND LIFE ON LANDCLIMATE AND LIFE ON LAND

Different climates lead to different Different climates lead to different communities of organisms, especially communities of organisms, especially vegetation.vegetation. Biomes – large terrestrial regions characterized Biomes – large terrestrial regions characterized

by similar climate, soil, plants, and animals.by similar climate, soil, plants, and animals. Each biome contains many ecosystems whose Each biome contains many ecosystems whose

communities have adapted to differences in communities have adapted to differences in climate, soil, and other environmental factors.climate, soil, and other environmental factors.

BIOMES: BIOMES: CLIMATE AND LIFE ON LANDCLIMATE AND LIFE ON LAND

Figure 5-9Figure 5-9

Fig. 5-9, p. 106

Polar ice

Equator

Tropic ofCapricorn

Tropic ofCancer

High mountains

Polar grassland (arctic tundra)Temperate grasslandTropical grassland (savanna)ChaparralConiferous forestTemperate deciduous forestTropical forestDesert

BIOMES: BIOMES: CLIMATE AND LIFE ON LANDCLIMATE AND LIFE ON LAND

Biome type is determined by precipitation, Biome type is determined by precipitation, temperature and soil typetemperature and soil type

Figure 5-10Figure 5-10

Fig. 5-10, p. 107

Polar

Rain forestTropical

seasonalforest Scrubland

Savanna Desert

TropicalGrasslandChaparral

DeciduousForest

Coniferous forest

Desert

Temperate

SubpolarTundra

Wet

Cold

Dry

Hot

BIOMES: BIOMES: CLIMATE AND LIFE ON LANDCLIMATE AND LIFE ON LAND

Parallel changes occur in vegetation type Parallel changes occur in vegetation type occur when we travel from the equator to the occur when we travel from the equator to the poles or from lowlands to mountaintops.poles or from lowlands to mountaintops.

Figure 5-11Figure 5-11

Fig. 5-11, p. 108

Mountainice and snow

Elevation

Tundra (herbs,lichens, mosses)

ConiferousForest

DeciduousForest

TropicalForest

TropicalForest

DeciduousForest

ConiferousForest

Tundra (herbs,lichens, mosses)

Polar ice and snow

Latitude

DESERT BIOMESDESERT BIOMES

Deserts are areas where evaporation Deserts are areas where evaporation exceeds precipitation.exceeds precipitation.

Deserts have little precipitation and little Deserts have little precipitation and little vegetation.vegetation. Found in tropical, temperate and polar regions.Found in tropical, temperate and polar regions.

Desert plants have adaptations that help Desert plants have adaptations that help them stay cool and get enough water.them stay cool and get enough water.

Video: DesertificationVideo: Desertification

This video clip is available in CNN Today This video clip is available in CNN Today Videos for Environmental Science, 2004, Videos for Environmental Science, 2004, Volume VII. Instructors, contact your local Volume VII. Instructors, contact your local sales representative to order this volume, sales representative to order this volume, while supplies last.while supplies last.

DESERT BIOMESDESERT BIOMES

Variations in Variations in annual annual temperature (red) temperature (red) and precipitation and precipitation (blue) in tropical, (blue) in tropical, temperate and temperate and cold deserts.cold deserts.

Figure 5-12Figure 5-12

Fig. 5-12a, p. 109

Tropical Desert

Mea

n m

onth

ly te

mpe

ratu

re (

C) M

ean monthly precipitation (m

m)

Month

Freezing point

Fig. 5-12b, p. 109

Temperate Desert

Mea

n m

onth

ly te

mpe

ratu

re (

C) M

ean monthly precipitation (m

m)

Month

Freezing point

Fig. 5-12c, p. 109

Polar Desert

Mean m

onthly precipitation (mm

)

Month

Freezing point

Mea

n m

onth

ly te

mpe

ratu

re (°

C)

DESERT BIOMESDESERT BIOMES

The flora and The flora and fauna in desert fauna in desert ecosystems ecosystems adapt to their adapt to their environment environment through their through their behavior and behavior and physiology.physiology.

Figure 5-13Figure 5-13

GRASSLANDS AND CHAPARRAL GRASSLANDS AND CHAPARRAL BIOMESBIOMES

Variations in Variations in annual annual temperature temperature (red) and (red) and precipitation precipitation (blue).(blue).

Figure 5-14Figure 5-14

Fig. 5-14a, p. 112

Tropical grassland (savanna)

Mea

n m

onth

ly te

mpe

ratu

re (

C) M

ean monthly precipitation (m

m)

Month

Freezing point

Fig. 5-14b, p. 112

Temperate grassland

Mea

n m

onth

ly te

mpe

ratu

re (

C) M

ean monthly precipitation (m

m)

Month

Freezing point

Fig. 5-14c, p. 112

Polar grassland (arctic tundra)

Mea

n m

onth

ly te

mpe

ratu

re (

C) M

ean monthly precipitation (m

m)

Month

Freezing point

GRASSLANDS AND CHAPARRAL GRASSLANDS AND CHAPARRAL BIOMESBIOMES

Grasslands (prairies) occur in areas too moist Grasslands (prairies) occur in areas too moist for desert and too dry for forests.for desert and too dry for forests.

Savannas are tropical grasslands with Savannas are tropical grasslands with scattered tree and herds of hoofed animals.scattered tree and herds of hoofed animals.

Temperate GrasslandsTemperate Grasslands

The cold winters and The cold winters and hot dry summers hot dry summers have deep and have deep and fertile soil that make fertile soil that make them ideal for them ideal for growing crops and growing crops and grazing cattle.grazing cattle.

Figure 5-15Figure 5-15

Temperate GrasslandsTemperate Grasslands

Temperate tall-Temperate tall-grass prairie grass prairie ecosystem in North ecosystem in North America.America.

Figure 5-16Figure 5-16

Fig. 5-15, p. 113

Golden eagle

Pronghorn antelope

Grasshopper

PrairieConeflower

Fungi

Bacteria

Prairiedog

Blue stemgrass

GrasshoppersparrowCoyote

Producer to primaryconsumer

Primaryto

secondaryconsumer

Secondary to

higher-levelconsumer

All producers andconsumers todecomposers

Polar GrasslandsPolar Grasslands

Polar grasslands Polar grasslands are covered with ice are covered with ice and snow except and snow except during a brief during a brief summer.summer.

Figure 5-17Figure 5-17

Fig. 5-17, p. 114

Moss campion

MountainCranberry

Lemming

DwarfWillow

Willow ptarmigan

Horned lark Arcticfox

Snowy owlMosquito

Grizzly bearLong-tailed jaeger

Caribou

Producer to primaryconsumer

Primaryto

secondaryconsumer

Secondary to

higher-levelconsumer

All producers andconsumers todecomposers

ChaparralChaparral

Chaparral has a Chaparral has a moderate moderate climate but its climate but its dense thickets of dense thickets of spiny shrubs are spiny shrubs are subject to subject to periodic fires.periodic fires.

Figure 5-18Figure 5-18

FOREST BIOMESFOREST BIOMES

Variations in annual Variations in annual temperature (red) temperature (red) and precipitation and precipitation (blue) in tropical, (blue) in tropical, temperate, and temperate, and polar forests.polar forests.

Figure 5-19Figure 5-19

Fig. 5-19a, p. 116

Tropical rain forest

Mea

n m

onth

ly te

mpe

ratu

re (

C) M

ean monthly precipitation (m

m)Month

Freezing point

Fig. 5-19b, p. 116

Temperate deciduous forest

Mea

n m

onth

ly te

mpe

ratu

re (

C) M

ean monthly precipitation (m

m)Month

Freezing point

Fig. 5-19c, p. 116

Polar evergreen coniferous forest(boreal forest, taiga)

Mea

n m

onth

ly te

mpe

ratu

re (

C) M

ean monthly precipitation (m

m)

Month

Freezing point

FOREST BIOMESFOREST BIOMES

Forests have enough precipitation to support Forests have enough precipitation to support stands of trees and are found in tropical, stands of trees and are found in tropical, temperate, and polar regions.temperate, and polar regions.

Tropical Rain ForestTropical Rain Forest

Tropical rain forests Tropical rain forests have heavy rainfall have heavy rainfall and a rich diversity and a rich diversity of species.of species. Found near the Found near the

equator.equator. Have year-round Have year-round

uniformity warm uniformity warm temperatures and temperatures and high humidity.high humidity.

Figure 5-20Figure 5-20

Fig. 5-20, p. 117

Blue andgold macaw

Climbingmonstera palm

Slaty-tailedtrogon

Harpyeagle

BromeliadBacteria

Fungi

Ants

Tree frog

Green tree snakeKatydid

Squirrelmonkeys

Ocelot

Producer to primaryconsumer

Primaryto

secondaryconsumer

Secondary to

higher-levelconsumer

All producers andconsumers todecomposers

Tropical Rain ForestTropical Rain Forest

Filling such niches enables species to avoid Filling such niches enables species to avoid or minimize competition and coexistor minimize competition and coexist

Figure 5-21Figure 5-21

Fig. 5-21, p. 118

GroundlayerBlack-crowned

antipitta

Brazilian tapir

Woolly opossum

Tocotoucan

Shrublayer

Understory

Canopy

Emergent layer

Hei

ght (

met

ers)

Harpy eagle

Temperate Deciduous ForestTemperate Deciduous Forest

Most of the trees Most of the trees survive winter by survive winter by dropping their dropping their leaves, which leaves, which decay and decay and produce a nutrient-produce a nutrient-rich soil.rich soil.

Figure 5-22Figure 5-22

Fig. 5-22, p. 120

Producer to primaryconsumer

Primaryto

secondaryconsumer

Secondary to

higher-levelconsumer

All producers andconsumers todecomposers

Wood frog

RacerMay beetle

Bacteria

FungiLong-tailedweasel

Shagbark hickory

MountainWinterberry

Metallic wood-boringbeetle andLarvae

White-taileddeer

White-footedmouse

GraySquirrel

HairyWoodpecker

White oak

Broad-wingedhawk

Evergreen Coniferous ForestsEvergreen Coniferous Forests

Consist mostly of Consist mostly of cone-bearing cone-bearing evergreen trees that evergreen trees that keep their needles keep their needles year-round to help year-round to help the trees survive the trees survive long and cold long and cold winters.winters.

Figure 5-23Figure 5-23

Fig. 5-23, p. 121

Bunchberry Bacteria

Starflower

Fungi

Snowshoehare

Pine sawyerbeetleand larvae

Bebbwillow

Wolf

WhiteSpruce

Moose

Marten

Greathornedowl

Blue jay

Balsam fir

Producer to primaryconsumer

Primaryto secondary

consumer

Secondary tohigher-levelconsumer

All producers andconsumers todecomposers

Temperate Rain ForestsTemperate Rain Forests

Coastal areas support huge cone-bearing Coastal areas support huge cone-bearing evergreen trees such as redwoods and evergreen trees such as redwoods and Douglas fir in a cool moist environment.Douglas fir in a cool moist environment.

Figure 5-24Figure 5-24

MOUNTAIN BIOMESMOUNTAIN BIOMES

High-elevation High-elevation islands of islands of biodiversity biodiversity

Often have snow-Often have snow-covered peaks that covered peaks that reflect solar reflect solar radiation and radiation and gradually release gradually release water to lower-water to lower-elevation streams elevation streams and ecosystems.and ecosystems.

Figure 5-25Figure 5-25

HUMAN IMPACTS ON HUMAN IMPACTS ON TERRESTRIAL BIOMESTERRESTRIAL BIOMES

Human activities have damaged or disturbed Human activities have damaged or disturbed more than half of the world’s terrestrial more than half of the world’s terrestrial ecosystems.ecosystems.

Humans have had a number of specific Humans have had a number of specific harmful effects on the world’s deserts, harmful effects on the world’s deserts, grasslands, forests, and mountains.grasslands, forests, and mountains.

Fig. 5-26, p. 123

Natural Capital Degradation

Desert

Large desert cities

Soil destruction by off-road vehicles

Soil salinization from irrigation

Depletion of groundwater

Land disturbance and pollution from mineral extraction

Fig. 5-27, p. 123

Oil production and off-road vehicles in arctic tundra

Overgrazing by livestock

Release of CO2 to atmosphere from grassland burning

Conversion to cropland

Grasslands

Natural Capital Degradation

Fig. 5-28, p. 124

Clearing for agriculture, livestock grazing, timber, and urban development

Conversion of diverse forests to tree plantations

Damage from off-road vehicles

Natural Capital Degradation

Forests

Pollution of forest streams

Fig. 5-29, p. 124

Natural Capital Degradation

Mountains

Agriculture

Timber extraction

Mineral extraction

Hydroelectric dams and reservoirsIncreasing tourism

Urban air pollution

Increased ultraviolet radiationfrom ozone depletion

Soil damage from off-roadvehicles