World Biomes http://www.cotf.edu/ete/modules/msese/earthsysflr/ - PowerPoint Presentation

Slide1

World BiomesSlide2

http://www.cotf.edu/ete/modules/msese/earthsysflr/

Tropical Rainforest

Location: Found near equator

…

Abiotic

Factors: little

variation in temperatures. No distinct seasonal changes. Slide3

Tropical Rainforest

Abiotic

factors

Less than 1

cm of

topsoil (Low nutrients )About 100 in/yr of rainfall

http://www.cotf.edu/ete/modules/msese/earthsysflSlide4

Bougainvillea

Plants grow in layers (canopy receives most light)

Shallow

, wide roots since soil is so thin and poor in nutrients

Little

sun reaches the

floor, plants must be adapted to low light

Tropical Rainforest

Plant adaptations

Bangul BambooSlide5

Many symbiotic

relationships, especially competition

Live in different levels of canopy

Wagler’s pit viper

Silvery Gibbon

Slender Loris

http://www.blueplanetbiomes.org/rnfrst_animal_page.htm

Tropical Rainforest

Animal Adaptations

Many animals are specialists and require special habitat components to survive

Camouflage is common

Slide6

Threats to the Tropical Rainforest

http://www.blueplanetbiomes.org/rnfrst_animal_page.htm

Humans strip the rainforests for uses including logging and cattle ranching.

In addition to the plants and animals that are displaced by this destruction, entire civilizations of people are also without a home.

You can help by promoting sustainable use of the rainforests’ productsSlide7

Temperate Deciduous Forests

Location:

found in temperate zone

(about 48

0 North lat)

Much of the human population lives in this biome

http://www.runet.edu/~swoodwar/CLASSES/GEOG235/biomes/tbdf/tbdf.htmlSlide8

Characterized

by 4

seasons

Average annual temp: 50° F

Soils: Deep soil layers, rich in nutrients

Precipitation: 30–100 in/yr in all forms (snow, rain, hail, fog, etc.)

Temperate Deciduous Forests

Abiotic Factors

http://www.cotf.edu/ete/modules/msese/earthsysflr/taiga.htmlSlide9

Deciduous trees lose leaves to prepare for Winter.

They become

dormant

in the Winter.

White Birch

Birchhttp://www.blueplanetbiomes.org/deciduous_plant_page.htm

Lady Fern

Geulder Rose

Temperate Deciduous forest

Plant adaptationsSlide10

Grow thicker coat in

Winter,lose

Winter coat in Summer

HibernationBirds migrate to warmer climates during Winter

Bald Eagle

Fat Dormouse

Least Weasel

http://www.blueplanetbiomes.org/deciduous_animal_page.htm

Temperate Deciduous Forest

Animal AdaptationsSlide11

Threats to Temperate Deciduous Forests

http://www.runet.edu/~swoodwar/CLASSES/GEOG235/biomes/tbdf/tbdf.html

DeforestationSlide12

Taiga

aka Northern Coniferous Forest or Boreal Forest

Location: Found only in Northern

Hemisphere

below

arctic circleSlide13

Taiga

Abiotic factors

Winters are long and cold

Averages 100 in/yr precipitation—mostly snow

Soil poor in nutrients and very acidic

Growing season is very short

http://www.uwsp.edu/geo/faculty/ritter/geog101/modules/

ecosystems_biomes/biomes_northern_forest.htmlSlide14

conifers

Coniferous (needle-bearing) trees are abundant

Roots long to anchor trees

Needles long, thin and

waxy to shed snow

http://www.inchinapinch.com/hab_pgs/terres/coniferous/plants.htm

Taiga

Plant adaptationsSlide15

Moose

Adapt for cold winters

Burrow, hibernate,

thick fur coat, layer of fat for insulation

, etc.http://www.inchinapinch.com/hab_pgs/terres/coniferous/animals.htm

Great Grey Owl

Animal Adaptations

of the TaigaSlide16

Threats to the Taiga

Mining operations can irreparably damage this fragile ecosystem.

Pollution left behind can also put animals and plants at risk.

http://www.blueplanetbiomes.org/taiga.htmSlide17

Savannas (Tropical Grasslands)

Contain the greatest number of grazing animals on Earth.

Location: Found in the tropics…near equator

Amount of precipitation supports tall grasses but only occasional trees.

The word savanna stems from an Amerind term for plains

http://www.runet.edu/~swoodwar/CLASSES/GEOG235/biomes/savanna/savanna.htmlSlide18

Tropical Savanna

Abiotic

Factors

Rainy and dry season 25-150 in/yr precipitation

Fire plays a large role in this ecosystem during the dry seasonhttp://www.cotf.edu/ete/modules/msese/earthsysflr/savannah.htmlSlide19

Whistling Thorn

Umbrella Thorn Acacia

Tropical Savanna

Plant Adaptations

Large underground root systems, allow plants to re-grow quickly after fire

Resistance to Drought

Many plants have

thorns and sharp leaves to protect against predation.

http://www.blueplanetbiomes.org/savanna_plant_page.htm

Kangaroos Paws

BaobabSlide20

Adapt for short rainy season—migrate as necessary

Limited food leads to vertical feeding

Reproduce during rainy season—ensures more young survive

http://www.blueplanetbiomes.org/savanna_animal_page.htm

Zebras

Chacma Baboon

Tropical Savanna

Animal AdaptationsSlide21

Threats to the Tropical Savanna

http://www.blueplanetbiomes.org/savanna_animal_page.htm

Invasive species

fire

management

Because of their low elevation, some savannas are threatened by minor rises in sea level associated with global climate change

Koala

ElephantSlide22

Steppe

Dry, cold, grasslands

Location: Found in Russia and the Ukraine

http://www.blueplanetbiomes.org/steppe.htmSlide23

Steppe

Abiotic Factors

www.plasmacy.de

www.wsu.edu

<50 in/year precipitation

Mountains often play a role in climate characteristicsSlide24

most abundant are plants called

Bunch grasses

, fine bladed grasses that grow in clumps to preserve water

Tumbleweed

Sweet Vernal

Plant adaptations

of the Steppe

http://www.blueplanetbiomes.org/steppe_plant_page.htmSlide25

Many migrate, hibernate or burrow during extremes in temp and precipitation

http://www.blueplanetbiomes.org/steppe_animal_page.htm

Adaptations of Steppe Animals

Mongolian Gerbil

Saiga Antelope

Gazelle herdSlide26

Threats to the Steppe

Overgrazing…nomadic tribes have started to spend more time in one location,

Infrastructure development (roads, buildings, etc)

Unmanaged hunting and poaching is destroying herds of animals

Corsac fox

Lynx

Milk vetch

http://www.blueplanetbiomes.org/steppe.htmSlide27

Prairie

50-75

cm/yr

Characteristic high

Winds

Temperate climate: Hot summers and Cold Winters

http://www.blueplanetbiomes.org/steppe.htmSlide28

grasses

that won’t dry out or blow away in wind.

Fleabane

http://www.blueplanetbiomes.org/prairie_plants_page.htm

Buffalo Grass

Prairie

Plant AdaptationsSlide29

Many animals live in underground burrows to shield them from fire and predators.

Prairie dog

Bobcat

http://www.blueplanetbiomes.org/pampas_animal_page.htm

Prairie

Animal Adaptations

Geoffrey’s catSlide30

Grasslands

http://www.blueplanetbiomes.org/grasslands.htmSlide31

Chaparral

Location: Primarily in coastal areas with Mediterranean climates. About 30

0

N and S of the equator.

http://www.blueplanetbiomes.org/chaparral.htmSlide32

Chaparral—

Abiotic Factors

Climate: hot, dry summers, mild, wet winters. Slight variations in seasonal temperatures…NICE!

California Chaparral

Mediterranean Chaparral

http://www.blueplanetbiomes.org/world_biomes.htmSlide33

Chaparral—

Plant Adaptations

Mostly low-lying shrubs and small trees.

Many plants have leathery leaves to resist water loss

Many plant species have oils in leaves to help them resist fire…the fire will take out “weaker” plants that don’t belong.

Blue Oak

Fairy DusterSlide34

Chaparral—

Animal Adaptations

Camouflage—to avoid predation

Many animals will change their diet as the season changes.

Puma

AardwolfSlide35

Threats to the Chaparral

Human development—very desirable climate for humans to live.

Grey Fox

King Protea

Wild GoatSlide36

Desert Ecosystems

Location: Depending on type of desert, you will find them in various locations.Slide37

Desert

Abiotic

factors

Less than 10 in. of precipitation per year.Temperature range from 32 ° F at night to 100° F during the day.

Little to no topsoil due to high winds.Minerals not deep in soil.Too dry for decay

http://www.cotf.edu/ete/modules/msese/earthsysflr/taiga.html

While there are many types of deserts, they all share one characteristic: They are the driest places on Earth!Slide38

Joshua Tree

http://www.blueplanetbiomes.org/desert_plant_page.htm

Desert Plant Adaptations:

Spines to prevent herbivores from eating them

Succulents (cactus) store water

Thick, waxy cuticle to prevent water lossShallow, broad roots

Cactus

OcotollioSlide39

Desert Animal Adaptations:

Get water from food

Thick outer coat

Burrow during

day to stay cool

Large

ears to keep cool

Smaller

animals

http://www.blueplanetbiomes.org/desert_animal_page.htm

Javelina

Bob Cat

Armadillo LizardSlide40

Threats to the Desert

Residential development

Off road recreational activities destroy habitat for plants and animals.

Some plants are removed by collectors, endangering the population.

Sonoran Desert

Dry Desert

http://www.blueplanetbiomes.org/world_biomes.htmSlide41

http://www.runet.edu/~swoodwar/CLASSES/GEOG235/biomes/tundra/tundra.html

Tundra

Location: Found north of the Arctic

Circle,

Alpine (tops of very tall mountains), Slide42

Tundra

Abiotic

Factors

Less than 25 in of precipitation /year

Temp rarely higher than

500FPermafrost layer (frozen soil)

Short growing season

http://www.cotf.edu/ete/modules/msese/earthsysflr/taiga.htmlSlide43

Tundra

Plant Adaptations

Growing close to the ground

Having shallow roots to absorb the limited water resources

.

Some plants have hairs on their leaves for warmth

cottongrass

Reindeer lichenSlide44

Perennials

Lichen and Moss

Woody

shrubs

http://www.runet.edu/~swoodwar/CLASSES/GEOG235/biomes/tundra/tundra.html

Heaths

Examples of Tundra PlantsSlide45

Many

animals migrate during growing season for food and reproduction

Few predators

Little Competition

Small earsInsulation, thick coat

Arctic fox

snowy owl

Grizzly Bear

Tundra

Animal AdaptationsSlide46

Threats to the Tundra

One of the most fragile biomes on the planet

The tundra is slow to recover from damage.

Oil drilling is proposed in Alaska and other areas!

Tufted Saxifrage

Polar BearSlide47

Freshwater

Ecosystems

Location: found in various locations within a continent.

Additional Facts

:

Lake are the deepest of fresh water systemsLakes are fed by underground aquifer or streamPonds are fed by rainfall and may be seasonalhttp://mbgnet.mobot.org/fresh/Slide48

Ponds

Abiotic

Factors (Ponds): Sun

can reach bottom

Fed by rainfallMay be seasonal

Microscopic Animals and AlgaeSlide49

Lakes and ponds—

Abiotic Factors

Littoral zone:

nutrient rich area found close to shore

Benthic zone:

bottom of the lake where no sunlight can reach.

www.dnr.wi.gov

www.uwsp.eduSlide50

Plants float or grow along the shoreline to get sunlight

Animals

are adapted to certain temperature ranges

Amphibians burrow in mud when lakes freeze

Lakes and ponds: Plants and Animals AdaptationsSlide51

Threats to lakes and ponds

All water systems are being polluted and

damaged by humans

www.aquaticbiomes.govSlide52

Marsh

http://mbgnet.mobot.org/fresh/wetlands/

Additional Facts:

Animal/plant homes

Naturally absorbs pollutants

Control flooding by absorbing overflow from rivers

Abiotic

Factors:

Salinity: Brackish water (saltier than freshwater, but not as salty as sea water)

Location:

On land near a body of waterSlide53

Marshes

Abiotic

Factors

Very

shallow with land occasionally exposedSaturated soil Low oxygen in water and soil

Plant AdaptationsEmergent plants (rooted in soil, but stems and leaves are above water)

http://www.blueplanetbiomes.org/world_biomes.htm

Heron

Animal Adaptations

Many birds have spear-like beaks for grasping fish and frogs.Slide54

Swamp/BogsSlide55

Swamps

Location

: flat, poorly drained land, often near stream

Habitat to many animals

Abiotic

factors

Land

soaked because of poor drainageDecay is slow - Soil is acidic

Plant adaptations

Water tolerant trees and shrubs

Adapted to muddy soils

Animal Adaptations:

Adapted to wet environments (amphibians)

Many birds have long legs and beaksSlide56

Threats to

Wetlands and swamps

Previous

draining and

clearing for farmland or development has been a concern.

www.kathimitchell.com

http://www.ucmp.berkeley.edu/glossary/gloss5/biome/aquatic.htmlSlide57

Rivers

Location:

Originate from areas of snowmelt in mountains.

Abiotic

Factors:

Headwater (near river origin:

cold, highly oxygenated, fast flowing

Down stream:

warmer, less oxygen, flows more slowlySlide58

River: Plant and Animal Adaptations

Plant Adaptations:

Near headwaters plants must anchor themselves to rock

Downstream plants root themselves in sediment

Animal Adaptations:

Near headwaters: Insects, such as the mayfly nymph, have hooks on legs to anchor themselves. Near headwaters: Fish, such as trout, must be strong swimmersDownstream: Fish such as carp are adapted to warmer waters and glide over the bottom of the riverSlide59

Threats to Rivers

Industry uses water to dispose of waste products

Runoff from homes and other places causes changes in acidity, pollution,

etc.

Dams alter the flow of the water

www.nwk.usace.army.mil Slide60

Estuaries

http://mbgnet.mobot.org/salt/sandy/

Location: Where fresh

and salt water

meet (where a river flows into an ocean)Slide61

Estuaries

http://mbgnet.mobot.org/salt/sandy/

Abiotic

Factors:

Mixture of salt and freshwaterNutrient-rich mudPlant Adaptations:

Plants are rooted in the nutrient-rich mudAlgae float near surfaceMust be able to tolerate variations in salinitySlide62

Animal

Adaptations

of Estuaries

Because estuaries are have plentiful food sources, many sea animals migrate to have their babies in estuaries

Oysters and clams anchor themselves to mud or grasses

Must be tolerant to variations in salinity

www.lookoutnow.com & www.visualparadox.com Slide63

Threats to Estuaries

Many ports are found on

estuaries—pollution

www.davenewbould.co.uk

pers-erf.orgSlide64

Coral

Reefs:

are limestone islands in the sea that are built by coral animals called polyps

Location:

Warm saltwater, close to the equator

Abiotic Factors:Consistent water temperatureShallow waterLow in NutrientsSlide65

http

://mbgnet.mobot.org/salt/coral/

Animal adaptations

of the Coral

Reef

Coral polyps (found on the outer layer) have stinging tentacles to capture prey.

The parrot fish has teeth designed to scrape algae and corals off reefs to eat

Importance:

Habitat to thousands of species of plants and animalsSlide66

Threats to the Coral Reefs

Temperature is important, too hot or too cold and the

coral polyps

can’t live there to create limestone

Human intrusion (scuba diving) is damaging if you touch/step on the reef

Pollution

has been linked to coral reef destruction

www.calacademy.org Slide67

Oceans Location:

75% of Earth’s surface

http://mbgnet.mobot.org/salt/sandy/Slide68

Ocean Abiotic factors

http://www.worldbiomes.com/biomes_aquatic.htm

High salinity (saltwater)

Sunlight penetrates shallow water and the surface layers of open ocean.

Deepest parts of the ocean are dark and lack nutrientsSlide69

Plants are only found in shallow water or near the surface

-floating

plants (

kelp shown here)-phytoplankton (algae) float near the surface

Ocean Plant adaptations

http://www.calstatela.edu/faculty/eviau/edit557/oceans/norma/onfrm.htmSlide70

Ocean Animal Adaptations

Zooplankton—live near the surface and feed on phytoplankton

Deep ocean animals feed

on detritus– dead material that sinks to the bottom.

Many fish have floatation devices that allow them to stay on one level in the water

Ocean animals communicate by light (angler fish) and echolocation (whales and dolphins).

http://www.kidzworld.com/site/p1951.htmSlide71

Ocean

Additional facts

http://www.kidzworld.com/site/p1951.htm

Most ocean life is concentrated in shallow water and near the surface where light is available.

The deepest parts of the ocean contain very few living things.Slide72

Threats to

the Oceans

While the oceans are vast, they are becoming more

polluted by human activity (industrial waste, waste from ships, etc.)

Over fishing

http://www.worldbiomes.com/biomes_aquatic.htmSlide73

Polar Ecosystems

Can be considered marine ecosystems since the base of food chain is phytoplankton

www.defenders.org

www.awi-bremerhaven.de

Location: North and South PoleSlide74

Arctic vs. Antarctic

Arctic Ocean

(N. Pole)

Abiotic

Factors:

Relatively shallow, lots of nutrients for large variety of

animals

in food web, Additional Facts

: Not located on land, it is ocean with iceburgs

nmml.afsc.noaa.gov

Antarctic (S. pole)

Abiotic

Factors:

Continent covered by permanent ice cap

Additional Facts:

Penguins

live here—only continent not used by humans (exc. Research)Slide75

Plant and Animal Adaptations

Plants: phytoplankton (algae) floats near surface to absorb sunlight

Animals: Layer of blubber, most can swimSlide76

Threats to the Polar Ecosystems

Reserves of

oil

draw humans to these fragile ecosystems.

newt.phys.unsw.edu.au