Terrestrial Biomes

1
Terrestrial Biomes

• Chapter 20

2
Biogeographical Realms

• Regions of the world where a group of plant and
  animal species have evolved
• Correspond to the continents
• Barriers to migration
• Topography
• Climate

Fig. 20.1
3
Biogeographical Realms
http//www.activityvillage.co.uk/images/map.jpg
4
Ecotones

• The boundary between two ecosystems is an ecotone
  
• Transition zone rather than a sharp boundary
• Zones of shared traits
• Areas of high biodiversity
• Area of tension

Fig. 10.14
5
Biomes

• A biome is a large, stable terrestrial ecosystem
  characterized by specific plant and animal
  communities.
• Each biome is usually named for its dominant
  vegetation
• There are six broad biomes on Earth

6
Terrestrial Biomes

• Forest
• Savanna
• Grassland

• Shrubland
• Desert
• Tundra

• These biomes are divided into more specific
  vegetation units called formation classes
• Refer to the dominant plants in each terrestrial
  ecosystem

7
Life-Form Designations

• Bryophytes (mosses, lichens)
• Epiphytes (use other plants for support)
• Thallophytes (bacteria, fungi, etc)

• Trees
• Lianas (vines)
• Shrubs
• Herbs

Based on outward physical properties of
individual plants or the general form and
structure of vegetation cover
8
Major Terrestrial Biomes
Fig. 20.3
9
Earths Major Terrestrial Biomes

• Equatorial and Tropical Rain Forest  
• Tropical Seasonal Forest and Scrub  
• Tropical Savanna  
• Midlatitude Broadleaf and Mixed Forest  
• Needleleaf Forest and Montane Forest  
• Temperate Rain Forest  
• Mediterranean Shrubland  
• Midlatitude Grasslands  
• Deserts  
• Arctic and Alpine Tundra 

10
Equatorial and Tropical Rain Forest

• Tropical Climate
• Warm all year
• High precipitation
• Water surplus

Figure 20.5
11
Rainforest Canopy
Fig 20.4
12
Vegetation
Figure 20.5
Figure 20.4
13
Tropical Seasonal Forest Scrub
14
Tropical Seasonal Forest and Scrub

• Tropical Monsoon, Tropical Savanna climate
• Seasonal precipitation
• Variable, warm temp.
• Seasonal water surplus and deficits

Samburu Reserve Kenya
Figure 20.7
15
Vegetation

• Transitional between rain forest and grasslands
• Broadleaf evergreen and deciduous
• Open parkland to dense undergrowth
• Acacias and thorn trees

Samburu Reserve Kenya
Figure 20.7
16
Tropical Savanna
17
Tropical Savanna

• Tropical Savanna climate
• Precipitation lt 6 mo
• Water deficits
• Xerophytic vegetation
• Fire associated vegetation

NASA Earth Observatory
Serengeti Plains of Tanzania
18
Midlatitude Broadleaf Mixed Forest
19
Midlatitude Broadleaf Mixed Forest

• Humid Subtropical warm summer climate
• Humid Continental warm summer
• Variable precipitation/ summer maximum
• Temperate w/cold season
• Mixture of broadleaf deciduous and needleleaf
  evergreens

Figure 20.9
20
Needleleaf and Montane Forest
21
Needleleaf and Montane Forest

• Also called Boreal and Taiga
• Dominate in high latitudes and altitudes
• Short growing season
• Long winters
• Moderate rainfall
• Needleleaf conifers
• Pine
• Spruce
• Larch
• Fir

Figure 20.10
22
Temperate Rainforest
23
Temperate Rain Forest

• Marine West Coast climate
• High precipitation
• Mild temperatures
• Low tree species diversity
• Evergreen and deciduous trees
• Coastal redwoods

Figure 20.13
24
Mediterranean Shrubland
25
Mediterranean Shrubland

• Mediterranean dry summer climate
• Cool wet winters
• Hot, dry summers
• Short shrubs
• Sclerophyllous vegetation
• Grassy woodlands
• Chaparral vegetation

Figure 20.14
26
Midlatitude Grasslands
27
Midlatitude Grasslands

• Humid subtropical Humid continental/ hot summer
  climate
• Continental temperature
• Tallgrass prairies
• Shortgrass steppes
• Grain farming

Figure 20.15
Figure 20.16
28
Warm Deserts
29
Warm Deserts

• Desert arid climate
• Little precipitation
• High temperatures
• Xerophytic plants
• Cacti
• Succulents
• Dry shrubs

Figure 20.17
30
Cold Deserts

• Steppe and semi-arid climate
• Higher latitudes
• Hot summers
• Hot days/cool nights
• Light winter snows
• Short grass
• Dry shrubs

http//savanna.lternet.edu
31
Arctic and Alpine Tundra
32
Arctic and Alpine Tundra

• Tundra, Subartic Climate
• Cold and dry
• Dwarf shrubs
• Sedges
• Mosses
• Lichens
• Short grasses
• Alpine meadows

Figure 20.18