Environmental Science

1
Environmental Science

• Chapter 6 Lecture
• Biomes

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Chapter 6 Targets

• 1. I can describe how plants determine the name
  of a biome.
• 2. Using a world map, I can identify general
  locations of the worlds biomes.
• 3. I can define climate and explain how
  temperature and precipitation determine which
  plants grow in an area.
• 4. I can explain how latitude and altitude
  affect which plants grow in an area.

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Biomes and Vegetation (Plants)
T1

• Biomes large regions characterized by a specific
  climate and plant and animal communities
• Each biome is made of many different ecosystems
• Biomes are described by their PLANTS
• Plants determine what other organisms that can
  live there
• Plants have traits, special structures, or
  adaptations that allow them to survive in
  specific biome
• Adaptations include size, shape, and color
• Example tundra plants tend to be short because
  they dont get enough water to grow larger
• Other examples??

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The Worlds Major Terrestrial Biomes
T2
T2
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Biomes and Climate
T3

• Climate average weather conditions in area over
  long period of time
• Main factor in determining which plants can grow
  in certain area ?defines the biome.
• Temperature and precipitation are most important
  factors determining climate (see video)

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Temperature and Precipitation

• -Most organisms dont survive at temperatures too
  far above/below a range they have adapted to
• -Precipitation limits organisms found in a biome
• -? plant size ? water it needs
• -Biomes receiving low amounts of rainfall support
  communities dominated by small trees, shrubs, and
  grasses
• -In biomes where rainfall is not frequent, plants
  are mostly cacti and desert shrubs
• -In extreme cases, lack of rainfall results in no
  plants, no matter what the temperature is
• -? temperature ?precipitation ? plants

T3
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T3
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Latitude and Altitude
T4

• Latitude distance north or south from equator
  (expressed in degrees)
• Altitude height of an object above a reference
  point, such as sea level or the Earths surface.
• Climate varies with latitude and altitude.
• Climate gets colder as latitude and altitude
  increase.
• This is why it gets colder as you move further up
  a mountain.

T4
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Comprehension Check

• According to the maps, which of the following
  determines the main characteristics of a biome?
• A. Geographic borders
• B. Latitude
• C. Longitude
• D. Distance from the ocean

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Comprehension Check

• Which of the following describes a biome?
• A. All the areas on Earth that are
  life-supporting
• B. Weather conditions in an area for a specific
  time period
• C. A region characterized by specific climate
  and organism communities
• D. An area where the animal population interacts
  with its abiotic environment

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Comprehension Check

• What is the diversity of the species in an area
  most dependent on?
• A. Plant life
• B. Rainfall
• C. Sunlight
• D. Temperature

13
Comprehension Check

• What are the main factors that determine weather?
• A. Altitude, latitude, precipitation,
  temperature
• B. Altitude, latitude, precipitation, vegetation
• C. Air currents, altitude, temperature,
  vegetation
• D. Air currents, precipitation, temperature,
  vegetation

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Chapter 6 Targets

• 5. Based on climate, I can predict where forest
  biomes are located.
• 6. I can list three characteristics of tropical
  rain forests and identify their location on a
  world map.
• 7. I can name and describe the main layers of a
  tropical rain forest.
• 8. I can name the main threats to rain forests
  and the global effects of rain forest
  destruction.
• 9. I can list three
  characteristics of temperate rain
  forests and identify their location on
  a world map.

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Forest Biomes
T 5

• Of all biomes in the world, forests are most
  widespread and diverse
• Because trees need a lot of water, forests are
  found where temperatures are mild to hot and
  rainfall is plenty
• 3 main forest biomes of the world
• 1. Tropical
• 2. Temperate
• 3. Coniferous

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Tropical Rain Forests
T 6

• Forests/jungles near equator characterized by
• 1. large amounts of rain
• 2. little change in temperature
• 3. greatest biodiversity on Earth
• 4. humid, warm, and strong sunlight
• Regulate climate and play a role in nitrogen,
  oxygen, and carbon cycles.

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Nutrients in Tropical Rain Forests
T 7

• Most nutrients are in plants, not soil
• Decomposers on forest floor break down dead
  organisms ? return nutrients to soil ? plants
  quickly absorb the nutrients
• There are so few nutrients in the soil that
  runoff from rain forests is often as pure as
  distilled water
• Most tropical soils cleared for agriculture
  cannot support crops for more than a few years
• Many trees form above-ground roots
  called buttresses or braces that grow
  sideways from tree to provide
  extra support in the
  thin soil

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Layers of the Rain Forest
T 7

• In tropical rain forests, different types of
  plants grow in different layers
• 4 main layers of the rain forest
• 1. The Emergent Layer
• 2. The Upper Canopy
• 3. The Lower Layer
• 4. The Understory

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Layers of the Rain Forest
T 7

• Emergent layer top leaf layer where tallest
  trees extend above everything else
• Trees reach direct sunlight at heights of 60-70 m
  (23 stories tall) and can measure up to 5 m
  around
• Animals such as eagles, bats, monkeys, and snakes
  live in the emergent layer

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Layers of the Rain Forest
T 7

• Canopy layers of treetops that shade forest
  floor
• Considered main layer of rain forest
• Trees form dense layer that absorbs up to 95 of
  sunlight
• Can be split into upper and lower canopy with
  lower canopy receiving less sunlight

understory
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Layers of the Rainforest
T 7

• Epiphytes plants that grow on another plant but
  do not harm it
• Located on tall trees in canopy to reach sunlight
  for photosynthesis, and absorb water and
  nutrients
• Most animals living in the rain forest live in
  canopy because they depend on the many flowers
  and fruits that grow there.

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Layers of the Rainforest
T 7

• Understory plant layer beneath and shaded by
  main canopy of a forest
• Little light reaches this layer allowing only
  trees and shrubs adapted to shade to grow here
• Most plants in understory are less than 3.5 m tall

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Threats to Rain Forests
T 8

• Every minute, 100 acres of tropical rainforest
  are cleared or damaged for
• 1. Logging operations
• 2. Agriculture
• 3. Oil exploration
• 4. Exotic-pet trading
• 50 million native people live in tropical rain
  forests and are threatened by habitat destruction
• Loss of habitat forces them to move to cities
• This drastic lifestyle change may force them to
  lose their culture and traditions

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Temperate Rain Forests
T 9

• Characterized by
• 1. cool, humid weather
• 2. heavy rainfall
• 3. tree branches draped with mosses
• 4. tree trunks covered with lichens
• 5. forest floor covered with ferns
• Found in North America, Japan
  Australia, and New Zealand

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Temperate Rain Forest Climate
T 9

• Pacific Northwest keeps mild temperatures year
  round
• Rarely freezes because Pacific Ocean blows cool
  ocean water over forest (regulates temp)
• As ocean winds meet Olympic Mountains, a large
  amount of rainfall is produced, keeping
  temperature cool and moist

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Chapter 6 Targets

• 11. I can list three characteristics of temperate
  deciduous forests and identify their location on
  a world map.
• 12. I can describe one plant in a temperate
  deciduous forest and an adaptation that helps the
  plant survive.
• 13. I can list two characteristics of taigas and
  identify their location on a world map.
• 14. I can identify unique characteristics of
  conifers.
• 15. I can describe one adaptation that help
  animals survive in taiga.

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Temperate Deciduous Forests
T 11

• Characterized by
• 1. Trees shed leaves in fall
• 2. Located between 30º and 50º north latitude.
• 3. Range of temperatures can be extreme summer
  temps soaring to 35ºC (95oF) and winter temps
  often falling below freezing
• 4. 75 to 125 cm (29-49 inches) of precipitation
  annually, helps decompose dead organic matter
  into rich soils

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Temperate Deciduous Forest Locations
T 11
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Plants of Deciduous Forests
T 12

• Plants grow in layers with tall trees like birch
  that dominate the canopy and shrubs cover the
  understory (no emergent layer)
• More light reaches deciduous forest floor than
  rain forest floor allowing more small plants to
  grow
• Plants are adapted to survive seasonal changes
• In fall and winter, trees shed leaves and seeds
  go dormant under insulation of the soil
• With returning warmth in spring, trees grow new
  leaves and seeds sprout

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Taiga (Boreal Forest)
T 13

• Region of evergreen, coniferous forest below
  arctic and subarctic tundra regions.
• has long winters and little vegetation.
• growing season short (50 days) with most plant
  growth during summer months because of nearly
  constant
  daylight and larger amounts of
  precipitation.

Taiga Video (11")
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Taiga Locations
T 13
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Plants of the Taiga
T 14

• Conifers trees that have seeds that develop in
  cones
• Leaves arrow shape and waxy coating help retain
  water in winter
• Conifers shape helps tree shed snow and not get
  weighed down
• Conifer needles contain substances that make soil
  acidic when they fall, preventing plants from
  growing on the floor
• Soil forms slowly because climate and acidity
  slow decomposition

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Animals of the Taiga
T 15

• Taiga has many lakes and swamps attracting birds
  that feed on insects during the summer
• To avoid harsh winters, birds migrate
• Some year-round residents, such as shrews, burrow
  underground for better insulation.
• Other animals avoid predation by shedding brown
  summer fur and growing white fur to camouflage
  them in the snow

Snowshoe Hare
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Comprehension Check

• What type of forest has the greatest
  biodiversity?
• A. Taiga forest
• B. Temperate deciduous forest
• C. Temperate rain forest
• D. Tropical rain forest

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Chapter 6 Targets

• 16. I can describe the climate and locations of
  savannas.
• 17. I can describe adaptations of savanna plants
  and animals.
• 18. I can describe the climate and locations of
  temperate grasslands.
• 19. I can explain why fire is important to
  grassland and savanna biomes
• 20. I can describe adaptations of temperate
  grassland plants and animals.
• 21. I can describe how farming and
  overgrazing have destroyed temperate
  grasslands.

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Savannas
T 16

• Plains full of grasses, scattered trees and
  shrubs
• Found in tropical and subtropical habitats
• Mainly in regions with dry climate, such as East
  Africa and western India
• Have wet and dry seasons (though ? precipitation)
• Many animals active only during wet season
• Grass fires restore nutrients to soil during dry
  season

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Savannas
T 16
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Plants of the Savanna
T 17

• Only rains during wet season, plants must be able
  to survive prolonged periods without water
• 1. Some plants have large horizontal root systems
  to help them survive dry season. These roots also
  enable them to grow quickly after fire.
• 2. Grasses have coarse vertical leaves that
  expose less surface area to conserve water, while
  some trees shed their leaves.
• 3. Almost all have thorns for protection from
  herbivores.

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Animals of the Savanna
T 17

• 1. Grazing herbivores, like elephants, migrate,
  following rains to areas of new grass and fresh
  watering holes.
• 2. Many savanna animals give birth only during
  rainy season, when food is abundant and young are
  more likely to survive.
• 3. Some species of herbivores reduce competition
  for food by eating vegetation at different
  heights than other species do.

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Temperate Grasslands
T 18

• Temperate grasslands
• Dominated by grasses, few trees
• Hot summers and cold winters
• Amount of rainfall is between that of a forest
  and a desert
• Most fertile soil of any biome
• Few natural temperate grasslands remain because
  most have been replaced by grazing areas and
  farms growing crops such as corn, soybeans, and
  wheat

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Temperate Grasslands
T 18/19

• Located where too little rain falls for trees to
  grow
• Mountains often play a role in forming grasslands
  because they block rain clouds from the west
• Rainfall does ? as you move east, allowing taller
  grasses to grow.
• Heavy precipitation is rare in grasslands, so hot
  temperatures in summer often create fires

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Temperate Grasslands
T 18
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Classifying U.S. Grassland Types
T 18

• U.S. grasslands (prairies) classified by
  examining 2 things
• 1. Annual Precipitation
• 2. Soil Type
• MESIC dark black soil, rich in nutrients
• drains well, yet retains some water
• LOESS glacier dust
• Mineral particles mixed with clay
• DOLOMITE near fens
• High pH
• Formed from calcium carbonate (limestone) that
  has been worn down

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Plants of Temperate Grasslands
T 20

• 1. Root system of prairie grasses forms dense
  layers that survive drought and fire, allowing
  plants to come back from year to year
• 2. Few trees survive on grasslands because of low
  rainfall, frequent fire, and constant winds
• 3. Amount of rainfall in the area determines
  types (varying root depth and grass height) of
  plants that will grow in that area

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Grassland Plants
T 20
35 inches rain
10 inches rain
20 inches rain
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Animals of Temperate Grasslands
T 20

• 1. Some grazing animals, such as bison and
  pronghorn antelope, have large, flat teeth for
  chewing the coarse prairie grasses.
• 2. Other grasslands animals, such as prairie
  dogs, owls, and badgers, live protected in
  underground burrows that protect them from
  predators on the open grasslands.

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Threats to Temperate Grasslands
T 21

• Farming/overgrazing have changed grasslands
• Crops dont hold soil in place as well as native
  grasses because their roots are shallow, soil
  erosion eventually occurs
• Constant farming can change fruitful grasslands
  into desert-like biomes

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Chapter 6 Targets

• 22. I can describe the climate and locations of
  the chaparral biome.
• 23. I can describe adaptations of chaparral
  plants and animals.
• 24. I can describe the climate and locations of
  desert biomes
• 25. I can name two desert animals and plants, and
  describe the adaptations that help them survive.
• 26. I can describe the climate and location of
  the tundra biome.
• 27. I can name two tundra animals and plants, and
  describe the adaptations that help them
  survive.
• 28. I can describe one threat to the tundra
  biome.

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Chaparral
T 22

• Chaparral
• temperate woodland biome
• plants are broad-leaved evergreen shrubs
• located in areas with hot, dry summers and mild,
  wet winters
• Located in middle latitudes, about 30 north and
  south of the equator.
• Primarily in coastal areas with Mediterranean
  climates.

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Chaparral
T 22
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Plants of the Chaparral
T 23

• Most are low-lying, evergreen shrubs
• Some small trees grow in dense patches
• Include chamise, manzanita, scrub oak, and herbs
  like sage and bay.
• Have small, leathery leaves that contain oils to
  promote burning, allowing natural fires to
  destroy competing trees.
• Well adapted to fire and can regrow from small
  bits of surviving plant tissue.

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Animals of the Chaparral
T 23

• Common adaptation is camouflage, shape or
  coloring allowing animals to blend into
  environment
• Quail, lizards, chipmunks, and mule deer have a
  brownish gray coloring that lets them move
  through the brush without being noticed.

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What is a Desert Like?
T 24

• Land of extremes extreme heat and extreme
  dryness sudden flash floods and cold nights.
• Very harsh, often have names likes "Death
  Valley," "the empty quarter," and "the place from
  where there is no return."

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Dryness
T 24

• VERY dry. Even wettest deserts get less than ten
  inches of precipitation a year.

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Hot During the Day, Cool at Night
T 24

• During day many deserts are very hot.
  Temperatures in excess of 100oF are common.
• Yet at night, temperatures fall into the 40s or
  50s? Why?

61

• -Other biomes insulated by humidity.
• -At night water acts like a blanket, trapping
  heat inside the biome
• -Deserts have only 10-20 humidity to trap
  temperatures.
• -Have few trees and other plants to retain heat
• -Deserts cool down rapidly when sun sets ? heat
  up quickly after sun rises

T 24
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Where Are Deserts Located?

• Many are found in bands along 30o north and 30o
  south of the equator (called the desert belt)
• between red lines on the map

T 24
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Why do desert belts form?
T 24

• As warm air rises over equator rises, it cools
  and loses moisture
• As it falls (north and south of the equator), it
  warms and picks up moisture, drying out the land
• This downward movement of warm air masses over
  the earth has produced two belts of deserts

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The Rain Shadow Effect
T 24

• Deserts near mountains are caused by "rain
  shadow" effect
• As air moves up over mountains, it gets cold and
  loses moisture -- causing rain or snow
• When air moves down the other side of the
  mountain, it gets warmer.
• Warm air can hold more moisture, so it doesn't
  rain as much, and a desert is formed.

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Deserts of North America NOTE All deserts in
North America are influenced by the rain shadow
effect
T 24
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Desert Plant Adaptations
T 25

• Plants adapt to dryness by reducing rates of
  evapotranspiration
• 1. reduced leaves (spines)
• 2. waxy coating on leaves and stems
• 3. store water in fleshy parts (succulents)
• 4. large, shallow root systems absorb water
  quickly or- deep taproots
• 5. mature quickly and produce flowers/seeds in
  the few days when water is available
• 6. seeds in some can remain dormant for over 50
  years

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Desert Animal Adaptations
T 25

• Usually small (ex. Jackrabbits, snakes, and
  kangaroo rats)
• Adapted to conserve water
• 1. get water from their own respiration
• 2. excrete concentrated urine
• 3. camels hump?
• Camel's Hump Video
• Adapted to survive in temperature extremes
• 1. Nocturnal
• 2. Burrow
• 3. Estivate

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Tundra
T 26

• Tundra treeless plain located in Arctic or
  Antarctic, characterized by
• Very low winter temperatures
• Short, cool summers
• Plants are grasses, lichens, and perennial herbs.
• Short summers , only the top few centimeters of
  soil thaw.
• Permafrost the permanently frozen layer of soil
  or subsoil found in tundra regions.

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Tundra Locations
T 25
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Tundra Plants/Producers
T 27

• Mosses and lichens cover vast areas of rocks in
  the tundra (why would these be able to grow
  here?)
• Other plants have wide shallow roots to help
  anchor them against icy winds in the thin soil
• Most flowering plants are short, this keeps them
  out of the wind and helps them absorb heat from
  the sunlit soil
• Woody plants and perennials have evolved dwarf
  forms that grow flat along the ground

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Tundra Animals Adaptations
T 27

• Migratory birds fly to tundra to breed in summer
  when food is abundant.
• Caribou migrate throughout tundra in search of
  food and water. Predators such as wolves prey on
  migratory caribou, deer, and moose.
• Rodents stay active, but burrow under the snow to
  avoid the cold.
• Only tundra animal to hibernate is arctic ground
  squirrel
• Other year-round residents, such as arctic foxes,
  lose brown summer coat for white fur to
  camouflage them with the snow

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Threats to the Tundra
T 28

• One of the most fragile biomes on planet.
• Food chains are simple and easily disrupted.
• When oil was located in parts of tundra, oil
  exploration, extraction, and transport disrupted
  many tundra habitats
• Pollution caused by spills or leaks of oil and
  other toxic materials may also poison food and
  water sources in tundra