1. Biomes

2. Biomes • A biome is a large geographic area with a characteristic climate. A biome consists of several communities / ecosystems. Part of the earth that has more or less the same kind of abiotic and biotic factors spread over a large area thus creating a typical ecosystem over that area. • Biomes can be classified as terrestrial or aquatic.

3. Land Biomes • Desert • Tundra • Grassland (shrubland) • Forest • Deciduous Forest • Rainforest • Taiga (Boreal forests)

4. Tundra • Found in Northern Hemisphere • Very short growing season • Permafrost restricts root growth • Reason why has only small plants • Plants • Mosses, lichens, no trees • Animals • Lemmings, arctic fox, snowy owl, caribou

5. Grasslands (Shrubland) • Grass • Threat = agriculture, manmade fires • Plants • Grazing adapted • Woody plants, trees and shrubs • Animals • Bison, giraffe, prairie dogs

6. Desert • Sand and low precipitation • Plants • Drought and salt resistant • Spiny and succulent (cactus) • Animals • Kangaroo rat, lizards

7. Forest - Taiga (Boreal) • High northern latitudes below Tundra • Largest terrestrial biome • Plants • Evergreens, conifers (spruce, fir and pine) • Short roots, cone shape • Animals • Moose, lynx, Snowshoe hare

8. Deciduous Forest • Rich soils = productive area • Trees lose leaves every year • Can keep water in winter • Plants • Broadleaf are seasonal • Maple, Oak • Animals • Deer, Blackbear

9. Rainforest • High rainfall • Divided into layers • Rapid decomposition gives nutrients to plants • Plants • Animals

10. Water Biomes • Saltwater • Freshwater

11. Saltwater • Oceans, some lakes and marshlands • Abiotic factors: waters and sunlight • Plants • Kelp • Eeelgrass • Animals • Sea otters • Coat and kelp leaves • orca (killer whale) • Colors blend into ocean (dark top and light bottom)

12. Freshwater • Feshwater (slow flowing rivers, lakes and ponds) • Wetlands (Bogs, swamps, and marshland) • Video: Aliant learning- Habitats and Biomes: Ecosystems of the World