Biomes

1. Biomes

2. Blue Marble Photograph (pg.6)

3. Blue Marble Photograph What did you observe in this photograph? What do you wonder about? How can 13 million different species of life exist on Earth? What factors determine whether a species lives in North America or Africa? This picture greatly influenced the environmental movement – why might this be so?

4. Ecosystem • What is an ecosystem? • A part of a biome in which abiotic components interact with biotic components • Abiotic: non-living components of an environment • Ex: sunlight, soil, moisture/precipitation, temperature • Biotic: living components/organisms of an environment • Ex: plants, animals, fungi, bacteria

5. Biosphere thin layer of air, land and water on or near Earth’s surface in which all living things on Earth exist Figure 1.3 pg. 9

6. Biome • Biome: includes large regions that have similar biotic components and abiotic components • 8 terrestrial biomes • Tundra • Boreal Forest • Temperate Rainforest • Deciduous Rainforest • Grasslands (Temperate and Tropical) • Desert • Tropical Rainforest • Polar Ice (Permanent Ice)

7. Observing Patterns in World Biomes Page 11 – Activity 1-1A Work with lab bench partner Write down two patterns you see in the distribution of biomes Use the equator, Tropic of Cancer/Capricorn as reference points in determining distribution patterns Compare with another lab bench In a paragraph, provide an explanation for each of these three patterns based on your general knowledge

8. Distribution of Biomes Temperature and Precipitation Two of the most important abiotic factors that influence the characteristic of biomes and the distribution of biomes on Earth Types of precipitation: rainfall, snow, mist and fog Giant trees you find in the rainforest of BC would not survive in a hot, dry desert biome

10. Questions • Practice Problems pg. 13 #1-4

11. Latitude • Distance measured in degrees North or South of the Equator • Equator = 0o • Two hemispheres • Affects Temperature and Precipitation

13. Latitude and Temperature • At Equator – sun shines down almost directly overhead • Results in 12 hours of sunlight every day of the year • Results in little fluctuation in temperature • At the tropical zone (between the Tropic of Cancer and the Tropic of Capricorn) • Close to the equator, therefore receives more direct sunlight than further North or South latitudes • Has warmest temperatures

14. Latitude and Temperature • Temperate Regions and Polar Zones (North or South of the tropical zone) • sun rays are at an angle • Rays are spread over a greater surface area which results in the rays being less intense • The further away from the equator, the lower the temperature

15. Latitude and Precipitation • At Equator • Direct sunlight heats the moist air which causes it to rise (evaporation) • The moist air cools in the upper atmosphere and then falls back to the earth as rain (condensation) • Receives the greatest amount of rainfall • Tropical Zone • Similar to the equator, the sunlight is mostly direct resulting in lots of rainfall

16. Latitude and Precipitation • Polar Regions • Little moisture can be picked up (evaporate) and carried in cold air so clouds do not readily form • Little precipitation • Temperate Regions • Cold air masses from the polar regions collide with warm moist air masses from the tropics • Results in seasonal rainfall patterns

17. Exit Slip Which biome(s) do you know the most about? Which biome(s) are you most interested in learning about and why?

18. Homework • Due tomorrow: • Reading Check pg. 12 #1-4