Biomes

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Biomes

• Major varieties of world ecosystems

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G.2.9Distinguish between biome and biosphere.

• A Biosphere is the entire earth (its a sphere!)
• A Biome is a region that has a certain set of
  abiotic conditions

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World Biomes
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Biomes Climate
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Tropical Rainforest
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Rainforests

• Found in areas near the equator where rainfall is
  abundant
• Broad-leaved evergreen trees and shrubs
• Highest in species richness

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Temperate Deciduous Forest
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Temperate Forest

• mid-latitude regions where there is sufficient
  moisture to support the growth of large trees
• temperatures range from cold in winter to hot in
  summer
• precipitation is relatively high and evenly
  distributed throughout the year
• several layers of vegetation

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Tiaga (Boreal Forest)
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Taiga

• also called temperate coniferous or boreal
  forests
• is found across Northern North America, Europe,
  and Asia
• long, cold winters and short, wet summers that
  are occasionally warm

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Desert
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Desert

• Little precipitation (less than 10in/year)
• N. Africa, Australia, SW N. America, Asia
• Sparse vegetation, plants have waxy coating to
  reduce water loss
• Animals avoid heat of day by burrowing or active
  at night

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Temperate Grasslands
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Grasslands

• Limited rainfall not enough to support trees
• seasonal drought, occasional fires, and grazing,
  all of which prevent woody shrubs and trees from
  invading
• soils tend to be thick and nutrient rich and
  roots of perennial grass are often very deep
• Grazing animals

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Aquatic Biomes

• Marine and Freshwater Ecosystems

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Marine Ecosystems

• Intertidal Zone - Shorelines
• Neritic Zone Continental Shelf
• Oceanic Zone Open Oceans

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Freshwater Ecosystems - Estuaries

• Where freshwater streams and rivers flow into the
  seas
• Very productive rich in species
• Salinity varies in the estuary, often based on
  the cycle of the tides

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Freshwater EcosystemsRivers and Streams

• Characterized by water flow due to elevation
  change
• Organisms adapted to withstand powerful currents

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Freshwater Ecosystems Ponds and Lakes