Topic: Biomes Learning Objective/Outcome:
Keywords/Questions Notes What is the tundra A cold desert. sometimes referred to as?
What is the average 25 cm/yr. precipitation in the tundra?
What is the average -12°C. temperature in the tundra?
What is permafrost? A layer of permanently frozen soil typical of the tundra.
What kinds of plants Low growing species of lichens, mosses, and grasses all adapted to drought grown in the tundra? and cold.
Which organisms Many insects and migratory bird. inhabit the tundra during the summer?
Which organisms stay Caribou, lemmings, artic hare, fox, musk ox, and many small rodents. in the tundra year round?
What is the world’s The taiga. largest biome?
What is the average 60 cm/yr. precipitation in the taiga?
What is the average 0°C. temperature in the taiga?
What kinds of trees Cone-bearing evergreen trees. grow in the taiga?
What kinds of plants inhabit the forest Lichens and mosses. floor of the taiga?
Why do these kinds of The dense forest overhead limits the variety of plant life, since it blocks out plants grow on the sunlight. forest floor of the taiga?
What kinds of animals Many carnivores such as bears, wolves, and lynx, which fed on moose, live in the taiga? snowshoe hare, and shrews.
What is the For having four distinct seasons. temperate deciduous forest biome known for?
What temperature is 30°C. reached in the temperate deciduous forest in the summer?
What is the low -30°C. temperature reached in the temperate deciduous forest in the winter?
What is the average 10°C. temperature in the temperate deciduous forest?
What is the average precipitation in the 100 cm/yr. temperate deciduous forest?
What kinds of trees Deciduous trees, which drop their leaves every fall. live in the temperate deciduous forest?
What kinds of plants Shrubs, ferns, herbs, and mosses. grow on the shady forest floor of the temperate deciduous forest?
What kind of wildlife Many kinds of birds, insects, amphibian, reptiles, raccoons, squirrels, skunks, live in the temperate wood mice, deer, bears, bobcats, cougars, wolves, and coyotes. deciduous forest? What is the defining The significant amount of rain they receive. characteristic of rainforests?
What are the two Temperate and tropical. types of rainforests?
How do temperate rainforests differ from Temperate rainforests are cooler and dryer than tropical rainforests. tropical rainforests?
Describe the climate They have an average temperature of 10°C and receive around 300 cm of of temperate rain/year. rainforests.
Describe the climate They have a fairly constant temperature around 25°C all year and can get up of tropical to 600 cm of rain/year. rainforests.
List and define the - Emergent layer has trees that protrude out over the rest. layers of the - Canopy consists of tall overlapping trees that shade the rest of the forest. rainforest. - Understory has small trees and shrubs which receive little sunlight and compete with canopy tree roots for nutrients. - Forest floor is covered with detritus, dead or decaying organic matter. Moss, ferns, and fungi may live there.
Are rainforests highly Yes. biodiverse?
What percent of plant 50%. and animal species is the rainforest estimated to contain?
What kinds of animals Just about every type of animal can be found there: insects, amphibians, can be found in the birds, reptiles, and mammals. rainforest?
How much rainfall do Less than 25 cm/yr. deserts receive each year?
What adaptations Plants are tough and wiry with small or no leaves, water resistant cuticles, have plants and spines to deter consumers. developed to live in the desert?
What adaptations Many are nocturnal or stay in the shade or under the ground to stay cool. have desert animals They get most of their water from food, and they concentrate their urine to developed? conserve fluids.
How much rainfall do 25 – 75 cm/yr. grasslands receive?
What prevents Dry seasons prevent forest growth and allow grasses to prevail. forests from growing where grasslands are?
What is the difference The tropical climate is warm and humid while the temperate climate has between tropical and cold winters. temperate grassland climates?
What is the yearly 20°C - 30°C. temperature range in the grassland?
Many grazing animals such as buffalo, antelope, and zebra live there and are What kinds of animals preyed on by predators such as lions and coyotes. Many small mammals and live in the grassland? birds may also live there.
What determined The salinity, which is the amount of salt in the water. whether an aquatic biome is freshwater or marine?
What traits help to The amount of sunlight and oxygen present. further classify aquatic biomes?
Describe freshwater They include flowing water habitats (rivers, creeks) and standing water ecosystems. habitats (lakes, ponds, wetlands).
How much of the Less than 3%. Of that, half is frozen. earth’s water is freshwater?
What life do Fish, amphibians, crustaceans, plants, and microbes. freshwater ecosystems support?
What distinguishes Marine ecosystems have a high salt content. marine ecosystems from freshwater ecosystems?
How much of the Nearly half of it. earth’s oxygen is supplied by marine ecosystems?
What are some Oceans, seas, coastal inlets, tide pools, and estuaries. examples of marine ecosystems?
Summary A biomes are large geographical areas which have similar ecosystems and climates (temperature and precipitation). Seven major biomes were discussed: tundra, taiga, temperate deciduous forest, rainforest, desert, grassland, and aquatic. These biomes support a great amount of biodiversity in plant and animal life.