Biomes and Aquatic Ecosystems

1. Biomes and Aquatic Ecosystems

2. Learning Objectives • Identify how biomes are defined. • Identify how aquatic ecosystems are defined. • Describe the major categories of freshwater ecosystems. • Explain how estuaries contribute to ecosystems.

3. Reading a Climate Diagram

4. Earth’s Biomes

5. Tropical Rain Forest Abiotic: warm and wet year-round; soils are thin and nutrient-poor Biotic: plants with large leaves and buttress tree roots; animals active year-round

6. Tropical Dry Forest Biotic: deciduous plants, waxy plant leaves; many animals estivate or migrate Abiotic: warm year-round; alternating wet-dry seasons; rich soils Rainy season

7. Tropical Grassland/Savanna/Scrubland Abiotic: warm; seasonal rainfall; compact soils; frequent fires set by lightning Biotic: plants with waxy leaves, seasonal leaf loss; many animals migrate or are dormant during dry season

8. Desert Biotic: small plant leaves; many animals nocturnal, many get water from their food Abiotic: low precipitation; variable temperatures; soils poor in organic material Precipitation, not temperature, defines deserts.

9. Temperate Grassland Biotic: plants resistant to grazing and fire; small animals use camouflage and burrowing as protection Abiotic: warm summers, cold winters; moderate precipitation; fertile soils; occasional fires

10. Temperate Woodland and Shrubland Abiotic: warm, dry summers; cool, moist winters; nutrient-poor soils; periodic fires Biotic: plants adapted to drought and fire; animals commonly browsers High threat of wildfire

11. Temperate Forest Biotic: deciduous trees; some animals hibernate, some migrate in winter Abiotic: cold winters, warm summers; year-round precipitation; fertile soils

12. Northwestern Coniferous Forest Biotic: dense plant growth, tall trees; many animals have varied diets Abiotic: mild temperatures; abundant precipitation in fall, winter, and spring; cool, dry summers; rocky, acidic soils

13. Boreal Forest/Taiga Biotic: dark-green conifers; many animals have extra insulation, some migrate in winter Abiotic: long, cold winters; mild summers; moderate precipitation; acidic, nutrient-poor soils

14. Tundra Biotic: small plants growing low to the ground; many animals migrate in winter or have heat-saving adaptations Abiotic: strong winds; low precipitation; short, soggy summers; long, cold, dark winters; permafrost Low precipitation

15. Polar Regions Mountain ranges and polar ice caps are not easily defined by typical plant and animal communities.

16. Factors in Aquatic Ecosystems Water depth Temperature • Currents • Nutrient availability

17. Marine Ecosystems

18. Coastal Ocean The coastal ocean extends from the low-tide mark to the outer edge of the continental shelf.

19. Open Ocean

20. Freshwater Ecosystems Rivers and streams Lakes and ponds Freshwater wetlands

21. Rivers, Streams, Lakes, and Ponds River Lake

22. Freshwater Wetlands A wetland is an ecosystem in which water covers the soil or is present at or near the surface for at least part of the year. There are three main types of freshwater wetlands: Freshwater bogs Freshwater marshes Freshwater swamps

23. Estuaries An estuary is a wetland that forms where a river meetsthe sea. Mangrove swamp