Exploring Earth's Biomes: Diverse Ecosystems and Climate Influence
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Presentation Transcript
Chapter 15 The Biosphere
Biosphere • Includes living organisms and the land, air, and, water on Earth where living things reside • All living things making up the biosphere can also be called the biota • There are four major interconnected systems on Earth: • Biosphere • Hydrosphere • Atmosphere • Geosphere
Hydrosphere • All of Earth’swater, ice, and water vapor
Atmosphere • Airblanketing Earth’s solid and liquid surface
Geosphere • Features of Earth’s surface such as, the continents, rocks, and sea floors • Also everythingbelowthe Earth’s surface
World Biomes A variety of ecosystems that are grouped according to similar climates
World Biomes • Biomes are usually named for their predominant plant type and major climatic features. • Each biome also has characteristic microorganisms, fungi, and animals.
Biomes and Climate • Can all kinds of organisms live in every biome? • No • Species vary in different conditions. • Theyadaptto certain types of climate. • Adapting means they have an ability tosurvive and reproduce. • Because each species is adapted to certain conditions, the climate of a region is an importantfactor in determining which organisms can survive there.
Climate • Is thelong-term patternof weather conditions in a region. • Two main components of climate:temperature and precipitation.
Climate Video • http://nicolellawhhs.weebly.com/unit-5-chapter-15-the-biosphere.html
Microclimate • Even within a specific region, climate conditions may vary dramatically. • Temperature and precipitation can vary greatly over small distances. • Climate in a small area that differs from the climate aroundit is the microclimate.
Factors that Influence Climate • Sunlight • Sun’s rays most intense where the sunlight hits directly • At the Equator • Earth’s surface is heated unevenly due to shape • Air and Water Movement • Warm air and water rise because they are less dense • Landmasses • Help shape climate • Mountains
Tropical Rainforest Abiotic Factors: - hot and wet all year - nutrient thin, poor soil
Biotic Factors: • - Highest level of biodiversity • Characterized by a canopy - uppermost branches of the trees that forms a dense covering • Vegetation includes thick, lush forest • Tree frogs, sloths, jaguar, apes -
Rainforest Video • http://nicolellawhhs.weebly.com/unit-5-chapter-15-the-biosphere.html
Grassland • Types of Grasslands: • Tropical (Savanna) • Temperate
Grassland • Tropical GrasslandAbiotic Factors: • warm temperatures • -seasonal rainfall (limiting factor) • frequent fires
Grassland • Tropical GrasslandBiotic Factors: • Tall perennial grasses, drought and fire-resistant trees • Lions, leopards, cheetahs, and hyenas
Savanna Video • http://nicolellawhhs.weebly.com/unit-5-chapter-15-the-biosphere.html
Grassland • Temperate GrasslandAbiotic Factors: • Cold winters • Fertile soil • Occasional fires • Warm to hot summers
Biotic Factors: • Lush, perennial grasses and herbs • Most resistant to fire, drought, and cold • gophers, rabbits, prairie dogs
Desert • Types of Deserts: • Hot • Semiarid • Cold
Desert • Abiotic Factors: • low precipitation • variable temperature
Biotic Factors: - cacti, succulent plants - bats, owls, hawks, lizards, reptiles…
Three Types of Deserts • Hot Desert: • Example: Sonoran in Arizona • Daytime temp: 100 degrees F • Precipitation falls as rain here • Semiarid Desert: • Example: Kalahari Desert • Temperatures cooler than hot desert • Cold Desert: • Example: Antarctic • Precipitation often occurs as snow
Temperate Forests • Types of Temperate Forests: • Temperate deciduous • Temperate rainforest
Deciduous Forest Temperate Deciduous Forest • Characteristics: • Distinguishable seasons • Growing season occurs during warmer temperatures • Depends on availability of water (limiting factor)
Deciduous Forest Temperate Deciduous Forest • Abiotic Factors: • Characterized by seasons such as summers and cold winters • Deciduous means trees drop their leaves and go dormant during the cold season.
Biotic Factors: - Hickory, maple, beech, and oak trees… - Deer, black bear, squirrels…
Temperate Deciduous Forest Video • http://nicolellawhhs.weebly.com/unit-5-chapter-15-the-biosphere.html
Temperate Rainforest Characteristics: • One long wet season and one long dry season • Often see fog and low-lying clouds • Often see coniferous trees here • This means trees retain their needlesall year
Temperate Rainforest • Abiotic factors: • Cold to moderate winters • Warm summers • Year-round precipitation • Fertile soil • Biotic Factors: • Coniferous plants (produce seed-bearing cones) and retain needles all year • Deer, black bears, bobcats, and squirrels
Taiga • Characteristics: • Also known as a boreal forest • Dense, evergreen forest (coniferous)
Taiga Abiotic Factors: - long, cold winters - short, mild summers - moderate precipitation
Biotic Factors: - coniferous trees (pines) - lynx, moose, beavers…
Tundra Characteristics: - Characterized by permafrost Layer of permanently frozen subsoil - Tundra plants small and stunted - Winters can be as long as 10 months
Tundra Abiotic Factors: - low precipitation - strong winds - poor soil
Biotic Factors: *musk ox, arctic fox, snowy owl… *mosses, lichens, short grasses…
R.Q: A Biome is identified by its particular set of abiotic factors and…… BIOTIC FACTORS
R.Q: Which biome is characterized by very low temperature, little precipitation, andpermafrost? TUNDRA!
R.Q: Name another biome that has very low precipitation other than the desert. TUNDRA!
R.Q: Which biome is characterized by having coniferous trees? TAIGA!
R.Q: Which biome is characterized by warm temperatures and seasonal rainfall? SAVANNA!
R.Q: Which biome is located along the equator? TROPICAL RAINFOREST!
